Uechi Ryu is one of the most popular styles of Okinawan Karate-do practiced today. It enjoys not only a large following in Okinawa and Japan, but throughout the world, especially in the United States. This style of Karate derived from ancient Chinese Pangainoon Kenpo. It teaches in-close fighting, utilizing circular blocks, grappling, and concentrated... more »
Unsu, literally “cloud hands”, is an advanced kata found in Shotokan and Shito-Ryu karate styles. It contains many intricate hand techniques, such as the ippon nukite (one finger strike) in the opening sequence. Unsu also contains a 360 degree spinning double kick with a double leg take down at the same time, landing on... more »
Unsu, literally “cloud hands”, is an advanced kata found in Shotokan and Shito-Ryu karate styles. It contains many intricate hand techniques, such as the ippon nukite (one finger strike) in the opening sequence. Unsu also contains a 360 degree spinning double kick with a double leg take down at the same time, landing on... more »
Uraken (back fist) is a Karate hand technique, one of the fastest fist available. As it uses a snapping motion rather than a thrusting one, (like most other strikes), it can be whipped out in a flash. So why is it not used more frequently by martial artists. Well it is a technique that... more »
Urashi No Kun is the second Bo Kata of Isshin ryu, a Karate style that embeds Kobudo in its curriculum. The form Urashi no Kun was taught to the founder of Isshin ryu, Tatsuo Shimabuku by his kobudō instructor, Shinken Taira. Taira is the founder of the Ryūkyū Kobudō Hozon Shinkokai, whose goal is... more »
Also called a donkey kick, spin kick, mule kick, or turning back kick. This kick is directed backward keeping the kicking leg close to the standing leg and using the heel as a striking surface. Most often, this kick is delivered with a spinning motion in tournaments. It can be highly damaging due to... more »
The name Wadō-ryū has three parts: Wa, dō, and ryū. Wa means “harmony,” dō means “way,” and ryū means “style.” Harmony should not be interpreted as pacifism; it is simply the acknowledgment that yielding is sometimes more effective than brute strength. From one point of view, Wadō-ryū might be considered a style of jūjutsu... more »
Wankan (Japanese: “King’s Crown” or “Emperor’s Crown”) (also called Okan) is a 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 Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Genseiryu and Matsubayashi-ryu. It is often considered an advanced kata,... more »
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 »
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 »