Kanku Sho is a smaller and more advanced version of Kanku Dai. In Shotokan, there exist three kata that have two versions: Kanku, Bassai, and Gojushiho. Each has a Sho (small) version and a Dai (big) version, the Dai form usually being the one with the larger frame and greater number of movements. Yasutsune Itosu is believed to have been responsible for these second editions. He used Kanku as a model for the newer Kanku Sho, thereby creating two forms of the kata, each having similar embusen and pattern of movements. When practicing Kanku Sho, one can see that it does indeed have a smaller frame than Kanku Dai and it also has fewer movements. At one time having a count of 47 (Best Karate #9), the JKA has officially changed the count to 48, still less than Kanku Dai's 65.
Although the shorter kata, Kanku Sho is quite exhaustive, requiring a greater level of fitness, especially if it must be performed repeatedly. It is one of the more acrobatic kata found in Shotokan, complete with, not one, but two jumping techniques, which are very difficult for the average karate student first learning them. The first jump is similar to the jump found in Empi (kaiten-tobi), except the jump should be performed on the spot, rather than moving backwards. The second jump, similar to the one found in Unsu (albeit easier), is a jumping spinning crescent kick. Like most anything, these jumps get easier with practice, but then of course, become more difficult with age. As such, Kanku Sho is usually the preferred kata of younger and more athletic black belts.
Although many of Kanku Sho's techniques can be found in other kata, it is the only kata demonstrating tsukami-uke with the other hand grasping one's own wrist (kaeshi-dori), providing an advanced wrist-locking application (kote-kudaki). As a final point regarding Kanku Sho, there has been some confusion over when to kiai. Kiai have been reported on moves #6, #28, #29, and #48 (#47). According to present day JKA standards, the kiai are on moves #6 and #48.
Some of the Key Moves:
- kaiten-tobi (spinning jump)
- mikazuki-tobi-geri (jumping spinning crescent kick)
- oi-zuki & zenwan-hineri (lunge punch & forearm twist)
- tsukami-uke (hand grasping block)
- uchi uke (inside block)
- uchi uke/gedan barai (inside/down block)
- yori ashi (shifting)
