Exploring the Different Versions and Lineages
Unsu, also spelled Unshu, is a kata found in several karate styles, with significant variation in structure and execution. Shotokan and Shito-ryu include a long, athletic version, while shorter, more compact forms appear in Okinawan systems. There is also a version in Chitō-ryū that differs from both the mainland and Okinawan forms. This article outlines the major variants of Unsu, their possible origins, and the reasons for their divergence.
Shotokan and Shito-ryu Versions
Two well-known versions of Unsu exist on the Japanese mainland:
- The Shotokan version, often linked to Yoshitaka Funakoshi, features high kicks, spinning jumps, and sudden shifts in tempo.
- The Shito-ryu version, taught by Kenwa Mabuni, includes similar complexity but differs in detail and rhythm.
These versions are longer and more formalized than Okinawan kata. They reflect the development of karate in Japan during the early-to-mid 20th century, where many kata were systematized to fit educational institutions and public demonstrations.
Okinawan Versions and Lineage Questions
In Okinawa, there are shorter forms of Unsu practiced in certain lineages. These versions are simpler in structure and emphasize practical, close-range techniques. Some of these kata appear in systems influenced by Aragaki Seishō, whose students included Kenwa Mabuni and Tsuyoshi Chitose. While his documented kata include Seisan and Niseishi, oral tradition and lineage transmission suggest he also taught a version of Unsu.
Kenwa Mabuni’s Influence
Kenwa Mabuni played a central role in adapting Okinawan kata for use in mainland Japan. He studied under several Okinawan masters, including Itosu Anko and possibly Aragaki Seishō. Mabuni frequently adjusted kata to fit the broader structure of Shito-ryu. It is likely that he developed or significantly modified the Unsu version that later spread through Shito-ryu and influenced Shotokan.
Given Mabuni’s approach to kata – his version of Unsu may have borrowed ideas or techniques from multiple sources to match the standards of karate as it was being shaped in Japan at the time.
Unsu in Chitō-ryū
Chitō-ryū, founded by Tsuyoshi Chitose, includes a kata that some identify as Unsu or a variation of it. Chitose trained under several Okinawan masters and also studied Chinese Quanfa. The Chitō-ryū version is circular and fluid, different in both rhythm and structure from Shotokan, Shito-ryu, and the Okinawan forms mentioned above.
It is not entirely clear whether Chitose himself used the name “Unsu” for this kata, or whether the name was applied later. In any case, the Chitō-ryū version represents a distinct development, possibly influenced by older Chinese or Okinawan forms that predate the standardization seen in Japan.
Why So Many Versions?
Multiple factors led to the development of different versions of Unsu:
- Oral transmission: In Okinawa, kata were often passed down without written records. This allowed for variation between teachers and students.
- Systematization: On mainland Japan, karate was structured for teaching in schools and universities. Kata were adapted to fit standardized teaching methods, and sometimes lengthened or stylized.
- Name retention: Some kata retained traditional names, even when their structure and purpose changed. This is why very different forms may still be called “Unsu.”
As a result, the kata known as Unsu exists today in several forms, with significant technical and strategic differences.
Conclusion
Unsu is not a single, fixed kata. It exists in at least three recognizable forms:
- The Shotokan and Shito-ryu versions were developed in Japan and shaped by the goals of performance, systemization, and advanced athleticism.
- The Okinawan version, preserved in some Shorin-ryu lineages, focused on practical combat applications.
- The Chitō-ryū version, likely influenced by both Okinawan and Chinese systems, showing distinct methods and strategy.
Much about Unsu’s early history remains unclear, especially the exact role of Aragaki Seishō. The differences between versions are not just stylistic but reflect deeper contrasts between Okinawan and Japanese approaches to martial arts: one focused on direct self-defense and another shaped by institutional goals.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers, Gert
