Unsu - "Cloud Hands"

First the Kata:

Kata Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDngPNUNm0c

Masatoshi Nakayama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwsJSGuVc3Y

Luca Valdesi (thanks to KaratebyJesse.com)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb5MIpI55zU

Serbian Team Kata and Interpretations 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPRlpGLcDOs

Special Thanks to Jesse Enkamp of KaratebyJesse.com for supplying the Photo

Background:

Unsu (雲手), translated is said to mean "cloud hands", and is an advanced Kata found in Shotokan and Shito-Ryu.  Both are very popular tournament Katas, but are slightly different… however even through these differences the core message still can be found.

This old Kata contains many specialized hand techniques, such as the signature ippon-nukite ("Single Blade of Grass"hand from the Bubishi) that can be found in the ancient Bubishi named 6 Ji.  Many speculate that Unsu was created by Arakaki Seishō (新垣 世璋)  sometime around 1860-1870 (a Japanese and Chinese language interpreter to the Shuri court, as well as a master of monk fist and white crane styles).  Other opinions are that it was one of the Kata Wang Ji taught to Bushi Matsurmrua during the period of exchange between the two countries.   Another widely accepted belief is that Sakayama Matsumura brought the Kata to Okinawa and Arigaki altered it to remove and remodel techniques.  We will never know for sure, but what we can uncover by using Kyusho is a very potent and dangerous Kata in the right hands (Ji – Cloud Hands).

A typical explanation or description of the unique Kata would be:

Symbolism is a recurring theme in the history of the martial arts and it has been suggested that the moves in Unsu represent a thunder storm. The first move could be said to be representing a squall line on the horizon, the way the feet draws circles on the ground along with the finger strikes in subsequent moves representing dust devils gathering as lightning strikes the ground.  Following this, the rapid movements in all directions can be seen as symbolic of winds blowing in all directions, and generally throughout the kata the slow movements can be seen as a calm in the storm before it blows up again ferociously. Finally, towards the end of Unsu, the jumping, spinning back kick can be seen as a tornado.

And...

While many credit Arakaki Seishō  as the creator of the original Unsu, many say it was one of the Kata Wang Ji taught to Bushi Matsurmrua when the martial exchange was occurring. the more accepted version is that Sakayama Matsumura brought the Kata to Okinawa and Arakaki altered it to remove and remodel techniques.

Beyond the norm:

Looking at older renditions up to today’s modern transitional or stylistic variances... we see a more simplistic set of actions where details are more pronounced and some actions not seeming to be powerful or athletic, are altered.   Not that either is bad or wrong as only the practitioner can determine what is correct for them, but it does illustrate how Karate and interpretations have transformed.  When we look at the more original Kata of Nakayama Sensei as example, we see more clearly the use of specific hand formations as opposed to the speed, power and performance aspects.  It is what information or possibilities lay behind these strange hand formations and postures… that the real treasure is.

Could the term "Cloud Hands" be in reference to the "Wind Hands" of the Bubishi and the impending storm that the internal body structures and physiological functionality will endure when Kyusho is applied?

As we watch the Kata performed we can all see that this is a more advanced Kata, but we cannot just stop at the movements to determine this, [Ed. Note; Kata is only as advanced as the practitioner] it is always in the interpretations that we see how advanced the possibilities are.  We cannot simply rest on conjecture, speculation or a single persons interpretation (Bunkai), we must apply all we have understood in our training each hand, posture or action to unlock our personal truth.  As all who know from reading this blog, I am no fan of set technique as it is recipe for failure in a spontaneous and dynamic situation.  So let’s take one example from this Kata (a rather unique one at that) and see where this takes us.

The unique hand position pictured above [ippon-nukite ("Single Blade of Grass"hand from the Bubishi)], is in many arts but unfortunately locked it the thought of the practitioner or teaching that you only strike with the finger tip.  But this concept negates the very nature of the Martial Arts as being a blending of duality (hence infinite possibility) that would open many doors for those that embrace this transitioning duality (Yin - Yang).

As example if the fingers close and one extends, this perfectly illustrates this duality... but taking it further look at the action of the hands, (the Nakayama version is slower to see this action) they are at first both drawn up into this position from the extended open palms (Iron Sword of the Bubishi) as the body sinks into a Neko Ashi dachi (cat stance position).  If we look at the closure process from the open hand to this hand position we can envision (or apply) two blood stopping compression's on the arteries (Carotid) and veins (Jugular) of the neck as well as attacking critical nerve structures (Hypoglossal and or Vagus).  This can be accomplished from a frontal, side or rear position and the amount of compression applied on any of these structures will be determined by the strength of grip, penetration of fingers, and size comparison of the applied hands and opposition’s neck.  The mere compression can be enough to stop the flow of blood as you simultaneously weaken the muscles via the nerve compression, but the damaging possibilities lay in the rotation of the wrist to stretch these vital (Kyusho) structures.

The next usage of this weapon is then forwarded as opposed to retracted signifying the opposing duality concept of concussion... but is it only a forward concussion or could the duality (compression and concussion) still involved?  The hand is pressed in a rotational manner downward toward the forward leg and looks as if it is a fingertip strike to a fallen opponent.  This indeed could be an interpretation but what if that downward rotation was actually inflicting serious injury or damage to incapacitate the opponent on vital nerve and vascular tissue.  The hand used in this rotation can also be utilized as a quick grabbing action (like the mantis hand of Chinese Styles), to pull forward and off balance the opponent as it again exposes the vital structures of the neck.. in fact virtually all the moves in this old Kata could be directed to this area, with prior actions exposing it for incapacitating or fatal results.

The hands of the ancient Bubishi are present through this Kata, first letting us know of it's Chinese origin and its value to the old Bushi. This is not necessarily lost to time as we can piece together various documents and methods of old with this Kata and see how it correlates to the known and documented information we now have and can work.

One really has to wonder how the Karate world would take a more simplistic (and original) performance with actual Kyusho Application in the Bunkai set as opposed to the more athletic and conventional applications of modern tournaments.  We all know the acceptance and thoughts of the tournaments today...but what if a competitor did a performance more like Nakayama Sensei, then performed Kyusho Applications with exact moves and actual affects ... what would YOU think, especially now that "reality TV" and MMA is all the rage???  Just out of curiosity.

If you are interested in sponsoring a course on the Kyusho Bunkai of this "Old Kata" (or any Kata) contact us - Click Here

Click Here for the Unsu Video Log (Vlog)

-ep