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The name Wankan is composed of two characters. The first character is the
character King. The second character means crown. The name Wankan means
"King's Crown". In standard Japanese, this would be pronounced Ohkan. However, the
"wan" pronunciation has been ported over to Japan from Okinawa's
dialect. It is interesting that words such as Heian were changed from their
Okinawan pronunciation of Pinan while this kata's name is still spoken in the
Okinawan dialect. This may say something about how Wankan came to be listed
among the 26 kata of Shotokan. 1.
Start from the natural
posture. Step with the right foot across the left by about ten inches to your
left at a 45 degree angle. Step out at 45 degree with the left foot into a cat
leg stance. Bring both arms up, elbows together, fists palms inward, tightly
crossed at the wrists with the fists overlapping. Perform this action sharply as
you step forward with the right foot. As you extend the left foot, strongly pull
the arms down into a wedge block while rotating the fists over. 2.
Now reverse the action by
stepping with the left foot across the right. Mirror all of the actions above to
the 45 degree angle to the right at a 90 degree angle to your current position. 3.
Face
back to 0 degree and draw the right knee into the chest. Point the toes downward
toward the floor. Bring both arms up side by side, touching from elbow to fist
with the knuckles out and the palms inward strongly. 4.
Step down into a cat leg
stance and take two more steps quickly and smoothly, leaving the arms up in the
position they are in. The last step should be followed smoothly and continuously
by the front foot sliding forward into a front stance. While the foot slides
forward, perform a slow, strong reverse vertical knife hand block. 5.
Punches
- Perform two punches in place. The first punch is a snap, the second a thrust. 6.
Turn 90 degree to the left
by drawing the rear foot up to the right so that it becomes the front foot in a
cat leg stance. The left hand scoops, hand open, upward to the waistline while
the right hand should be thrusted down to the same level with an open palm. The
entire technique should look like scooping a kick, holding it, and smashing the
knee. 7.
Now perform a slow, strong
reverse vertical knife hand block and two punches in place. The first punch is a
snap, the second a thrust. 8.
Turn 180 degree to the
rear, performing the mystery technique again. Scoop with the left, thrust with
the right hand. Draw the left foot over to the left and then bring it back so
that it becomes the front foot of a cat leg stance. Repeat the sequence of
vertical knife hand block and the two punches. 9.
Look to the right, back to
where you started and pull the right leg back and then out to the side so that
it becomes the right leg in a horse riding stance. Strike with a hammer fist to
your right about shoulder height. Step forward and front snap kick middle level
with the left leg. As you step, perform a left handed punch to the middle level.
Repeat the kick punch combination on the right side. Now do it one more time to
the left side for a total of three kicks and three punches. Now you are standing
in a left side front stance with the left hand extended in a punch. 10.
Finish - Move both hands to the left waist. Turn 180 degree pivoting on the
front foot of the front stance, and then shift weight so that you end up in a
rooted stance to the rear. Perform the Mountain Punch (Yama zuki) with both
hands and kiai. Pause a moment, and then stand back up into the natural position
pulling the front foot back.