ananku
ANAN KU
Kata of Attarashi-Matsubayashi Shorinryu karate
taught by: Hanshi Bill DeClemente, 9th Dan
Begin hands at sides, heels together, toes at 45o angles facing north. Bow.
Left hand chest high palm toward you, back of right hand (palm toward you) against left palm. Rotate inward at elbows pressing hands down, stopping in front of obi (this is called the ‘yoi’). While pressing down, feet come together.
You wait for your opponent to move in, then snap reinforced palm heel to the face (north).
Right knee to the groin and pause in position, then come down in a horse stance, still facing north, hands still in reinforced palm heel position.
Double downward block to prevent opponent from grabbing onto you.
Head butt. 1st keai point.
C-Step forward with right foot into right front stance, still facing north, chambering right arm as you move. Then execute right reverse punch, left arm to chamber
Cover up with right arm on bottom. (Block the chest by bringing arms tight to your chest, right arm lower and left arm higher so that left elbow rests on right wrist and left fist lays against right bicep. Forearms are both touching chest, one above the other).
Now execute an outside middle block with lower (right) arm, bringing upper (left) arm to chamber. Upper torso torques when executing block to add to its power.
C-Step forward with left foot into left front stance and execute left reverse punch, right arm to chamber.
Slide left foot east into left cat stance (still facing north) then execute inside shuto block with left hand (blocking left haymaker from northern opponent). Right hand performs shuto chop to rear opponent’s groin (palm facing west).
Now turn over left hand and execute outside shuto block with left hand while aiding momentum by swinging right hand to end palm up in front of solar plexus (double shuto, like in Naihanshi).
Set left heel to the floor and, leaving left hand in position, strike with right palm heel to northern opponent’s face just above & beyond left wrist.
Snap front kick with right foot, bringing foot back to left front stance.
Execute double outward blocks (middle blocks) in kata style (forearm facing forward) to keep opponent from grabbing onto you.
C-Step forward into right front stance chambering right arm then execute right reverse punch, then left reverse punch.
C-Step with left foot into left front stance facing west, pivoting 90o on right foot. Torso reaches 45o (northwest) and you cover up with left arm on bottom.
Now execute an outside middle block with lower (left) arm, bringing upper (right) arm to chamber. Torque body the last 45o to end facing west.
C-Step forward (west) with right foot into right front stance and execute a right reverse punch.
Step with right foot into right front stance facing east, pivoting 180o on left foot. Torso reaches 135o (northeast) and you cover up with right arm on bottom.
Now execute an outside middle block with lower (right) arm, bringing upper (left) arm to chamber.
C-Step forward (east) with left foot into left front stance and execute a left reverse punch.
With your peripheral vision you see a threat to the south so you cover up with right arm on the bottom.
Now execute an outside middle block to the south with lower (right) arm, twisting upper torso as you do, bringing upper (left) arm to chamber. Head turns to the south with this last block.
C-Step to the south with left foot into left front stance and execute left reverse punch, right arm to chamber.
C-Step forward into right front stance and execute right reverse punch, then left reverse punch.
Cover up with right arm on bottom, still facing south.
Now execute an outside middle block with lower (right) arm, bringing upper (left) arm to chamber.
Slide left foot west ending in ready stance (feet shoulder width, fists extended in front of belt) facing east.
Again with peripheral vision you detect a threat from your left (north), so you cover up with left arm on bottom.
Now lift left heel & twist body to end in left cat stance facing north while executing an outside middle block with lower (left) arm, bringing upper (right) arm to chamber. 2nd keai point.
C-Step forward into right front stance chambering right arm then execute right reverse punch, then left reverse punch.
Cover up with right arm on bottom, still facing north.
Now execute an outside middle block with lower (right) arm, bringing upper (left) arm to chamber.
Slide right foot back next to left and perform the ‘yoi’. While pressing down, toes separate to 45o.
Hands at sides, facing north. Bow.