Level of Difficulty: Intermediate - Orange Belt or Green Belt

Wankan is thought to be one of the oldest Kata still practiced to this day, having been handed down in Ryukyu royal family for many centuries as a family Kata. In fact, the name of the Kata literally means "King's Crown" or "King's Victory", a reference to the royal significance of the Kata.

Wankan is representative of the Shorinjiryu system and is thought to have been introduced to Kudaka Island and then the Tomari region by a Chinese kempo pratitioner who may have used the name Wankan as his own. Wankan's Chinese origins lie in the Hakkyoku ken system of Kempo. Currently, there are several forms of Wankan practiced in different styles of Karatedo. The form taugh in the International Budo Institute is Kudaka No Wankan signifying that it was the original form introduced to, and further developed on Kudaka Island, one of the homes of the Ryukyu's royalty.

The main teaching emphasis in this Kata, is the pursuance and attainment of the ultimate state (of becoming king) by bringing together all of the aspects of the self. If this is achieved, the opponent becomes a secondary consideration.

Wankan is also known by the alternative name Matsukaze, meaning "pine tree wind" suggesting that one should be strong but flexible in the face of adversity, like a pine tree a top a mountain facing fierce winds. Accordingly, all movement is in the forward direction, reflecting that one shoudl always aim to achieve one's position, whether it be in relation to Karatedo, life, health or success.

Matsukaze has an alternative translation, referring to the jugular vein region of the throat, one of the body's most vital points. In fact, all attacks in this kata are focused on the body's three most vital points - the jugular vien (matsukaze), the solar plexus (suigetsu) and the groin (kinteki). By focusing on these three points the significance of economy of motion is understood. This is an expression of the saying "saisho no chkara saidai no koka o eru" (the smallest effort leads to the greatest result).

Wankan Front

Wankan Sidde

Source: Shihan Des Paroz of the Australian Kengokai and Technical Advisor to The International Budo Institute and is reprinted as it appears in Essential Shorinjiryu Karatedo - Hisataka (1994).