Isshinryu Karate

Unknown if this kata is from Shorin-ryu or Gojo-ryu. Apparently the most magnificent and advanced kata of Matsubayashi-ryu; relevance unknown. This kata is designed for fighting in the dark, and emphasizes speedy movements of a man surrounded by eight attackers. Whether this is named after a master called Kou Shan Kou or a Chinese karateka called Kusan-Ku is unclear. Kusan-Ku brought the kata to Okinawa in 1761. The first part of the kata is known as "my heart is as big as the moon". Why, or the motivation behind this, is unknown. Apparently this kata has the most advanced techniques of offense and defense appear in this kata, and was the favorite kata of Chotoku Kyan who learned it from Yara.

From musabi dache: bring toes together and double downward nukite strike in front of groin, left hand in front of right. My Heart Is As Big As The Moon: Bending from the waist, lean forward to 45' and double nukite strike to throat: hands go straight from down position to neck without first returning to the body. After striking, hands separate into large circular motions, passing in front of thighs. At this point, straighten posture and LF steps out into nai hanchi dache, with open hand guard, LH forward.	two	three