“Kusanku Kata Man” Please share

Hohan Soken 1889 – 1982

“Kusanku Kata Man”

He was the nephew of Nabe Matsumura (who was the grandson of Matsumura Sōkon).

He began karate training at 13 under his uncle. Nabe Matsumura taught him several kata, including Naihanchi Shodan, Naihanchi Nidan, Naihanchi Sandan, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Passai Sho, Passai Dai, Chinto, Kusanku, Gojushiho, Sesan, Rohai Jo, Rohai Chu, Rohai Ge, and finally at age 23, Hakutsuru.

Soken has said in interviews that Kusanku is the most important kata to the style.

In 1924, Sōken emigrated to Argentina. While in Argentina, he worked as a photographer and clothes cleaner. He also taught karate to Japanese and Okinawan ex-pats in Buenos Aires.

In 1952, he returned to Okinawa and started to teach karate, first to family members. Then he opened a small dojo to the public. At first, he called the style "Matsumura Shuri-te." But in 1956, changed the name to Matsumura Seito Shōrin-ryū karate.

Among his students were Seiki Arakaki, Kohana Nakazato, Inoue, Masaya Kyan, Nishihira Kosei, Yuichi Kuda, and Fusei Kise. Takaya Yabiku