Kakuyoku (Kata)
Kakuyoku ( Japanese 鶴 翼 , German crane wing ) is a series of three kata (stylized battles against imaginary opponents) in the martial art of karate . The kata were created by Tetsuhiko Asai and called "classic kata" (Japanese koten kata , 古典 型 ). They are based on the principles of the Junro and Jōkō kata, which he also created .
Surname
The name Kakuyoku is a reference to the origin of the Chinese crane styles, and here in particular the Baihequan ( Chinese 白鶴 拳 , pinyin báihèquán , Japanese hakutsuru-ken , German white crane style ).
Kakuyoku is also a classic battle formation that resembles the spread wings of a crane in the shape of a V.
The individual kata
Following the name, open hand and arm techniques, the movements of which are modeled on those of a crane's wing, form the main component. There are also changes in posture and shifts in focus, which are already practiced in the basic kata (Junro and Jōkō kata).
The order of the Kakuyoku -Kata, divided into Shodan , Nidan and Sandan , is not to be regarded as mandatory, as the individual Kata are not based on one another. Asai himself was of the opinion that one kata in the series is sufficient to teach the principles contained therein. However, Kakuyoku Nidan was one of his favorite kata and was also just called Kakuyoku by him .
variants
In Fudokan Karate, a variant of Kakuyoku Shodan is practiced as Taiji Nidan .