Traditional Karate > Kata > Wansu

Wansu Kata is called Empi by the ShotoKan people. Empi relates to the fight of the swallow. Probably the up and down movement of swallows in flight reminded Master Funakoshi of the movements of the Kata.

Wansu is named for a Chinese attache. Some sources say that he was a shipwrecked Chinese official, others say he was sent by the government about 1863 to Tomari, near Shuri. The Wansu art became known as Tomari Te (forerunners of Shorin Ryu). Master Wansu was called the birdman.

Bushi Matsumura taught the Wansu Kata to Choki Motobu and ChoToku Kiyan. Master Shimabuku studied under these two great masters.

Wansu is known as the dumping form. It is also known for the hidden punch that is in the Kata and for strong arm punches. The Kata comes from the Shorin-Ryu system.