Wankan (“King’s Crown” or “Emperor’s Crown”) (also called Okan) is a Karate kata practiced in many styles of Karate. Not much is known about the history of this kata. It originates from the Tomari-te school and in modern karate is practiced in Shito Ryu, Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Genseiryu and Matsubayashi-ryu. Wankan is often considered an... more »
Wanshu is also the Okinawan-adapted name of Sappushi [Jp. ‘diplomat’] ‘Wang Ji’ (1621-1689), the leader of a large ambassadorial mission from China sent by the Qing government to the village of Tomari, Okinawa in 1683. A poet, calligrapher, diplomat, and martial artist in the Shaolin tradition of Fujian White Crane, he is often credited... more »
The name “Wanshu” means “flying swallow”. This is a Tomari-te kata based on movements brought to Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese envoy of the same name. The metaphorical name, “Flying Swallows” comes from the soft blocking sequences near the end of this kata. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Empi. [Source:... more »
Bruce Lee’s “Way of the Dragon” is one of several re-issue titles for Lee’s “Return of the Dragon”. Filmed in Rome and Hong Kong, this exhilarating adventure flick finds Lee battling Chuck Norris, in one of the latter’s few unsympathetic roles. The climax pits Lee against Norris in the middle of the Roman Coliseum!... more »
Wing Chun is a concept-based Chinese martial art (Kung Fu) and form of self-defense utilizing both striking and grappling while specializing in close-range combat. Wing Chun practitioners believe that the person with better body structure will win. A correct Wing Chun stance is like a piece of bamboo, firm but flexible, rooted but yielding.... more »
The Kata Yantsu originates with Motobu-ha Shito ryu. The name “Yantsu” or “Yansu” is derived from the characters Yan, meaning safe, and Su, meaning three. The name is attributed to that of a Chinese military attaché to Okinawa in the 19th Century. The word yansu also means to keep pure, striving to maintain the purity of principles and ideals... more »
Yoko geri is one of the most powerful of all the karate kicks, especially when aimed at the ribs or solar plexus. You can strike by using either the side or the heel of the foot. It’s recommended using the side of the foot when striking at the throat or neck, whereas the heel... more »
Yoko tobi geri (flying side kick) is a Karate technique. While not very useful in the real world, flying side kicks are fun and look great for demonstration purposes. If performed correctly they can deal insane... more »
Yoseikan Budo may be classified as a sogo budo form (lit. “composite” or “comprehensive” martial art), but is used here to indicate a martial art into which various martial ways have been integrated. It is probably most widely known for its connection to a pre-war style of Aikido; however, it has important connections to... more »
Yoshinao Nanbu Doshu-Soke is the founder of the system of martial arts known as Nanbudo. He was born in 1943 in Kobe (Japan), in the Nanbu family, a traditional bushi (samurai) family from the Iwate Prefecture on Northern Honshū. He grew up in a milieu where martial arts were greatly respected. Growing up in... more »