Shotokan Kata: Gankaku (Crane on a Rock) Shotokan (松涛館) is a school of karate, reflecting the style of the initial students (including his son, Yoshitaka) of master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). ... Kata (型) (literally: form) is a Japanese word describing detailed patterns of defense-and-attack movements practiced either solo or in pairs. ...

The image of the crane on the rock reappears throughout Gankaku. The power of this kata is the practice of strength and balance while standing on one foot and executing two-armed attacks, like a crane beating its wings in defense. Gankaku is certainly derived from the Heron style of Chinese boxing and, as such, is very ancient. The embusen of the kata is linear, exhibiting only vertical and perpendicular lines. Embusen is a Japanese term used in karate to refer to the line of movement of a kata. ...

Execution

Video reference

Karate Union of Australia: Gankaku

See also

Bunkai, Kata, Shotokan Bunkai is a Japanese term used in Karate. ... Kata (型) (literally: form) is a Japanese word describing detailed patterns of defense-and-attack movements practiced either solo or in pairs. ... Shotokan (松涛館) is a school of karate, reflecting the style of the initial students (including his son, Yoshitaka) of master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). ...