Gankaku

Crane on a Rock (form). A Shotokan Kata, still known by its original name Chinto (Fighting in the East) in Shorin Ryu Kata.

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Moves

The kata has 42 movements. It is a good kata for balance and coordination, and it utilises body shifting to develop power whilst remaining in one spot.

Discussion

Created by Sokon Matsumura, the kata (Chinto) belonged to the Shorei style. The original name related to a Chinese sailor who was shipwrecked on Okinawa and gave instruction to Matsumura in Chinese Kempo. The kata was further refined by Yasutsune Itosu, and the name changed to Gankaku (Crane on a Rock) by Funakoshi Gichin because of the one-legged stances.

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