KUSANKU
	In 1756 a Chinese military envoy named Kusanku was sent to Okinawa. He was a skilled Kempo master famous for his fighting skills. Although Kusanku never taught this kata, his best techniques were combined by his followers. Tatsuo Shimabuku learned the kata from Chotoku Kyan. Kusanku Kata is considered part of the Shuri Te lineage and may be interpreted to mean "To view the sky".      Kusanku is a very complex kata. It utilizes speed techniques executed at many levels including ground, kneeling, standing, and flying front kicks. It uses a variety of techniques including: deception with a foot stomp at the beginning of the kata, a flying crescent kick, twisting and evasive techniques, kneeling blocks, palm heel strikes, and twisting shuto (knife) strikes. There are several stance shifts executed swiftly throughout the kata. The deceptive maneuvers employed by this kata may be because this kata was thought to be performed at night against several opponents.      Kusanku Kata is one of Isshinryu's most difficult to perform. The transition from its kneeling stances back to upright are difficult to perform with balance and grace while delivering the next technique with power. In addition, this kata contains a stretched out hiding posture on the floor which is difficult for most students. Kusanku is furthered complicated by a flying double front kick which all but the finest karatekas will find hard to execute with good form. Kusanku is definately the most beautiful of all Isshinryu katas when performed with good form.      Master Shimabuku used this kata as the foundation of one of Isshinryu's weapons katas called Kusanku Sai.
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