https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apXWo3XnMTM
Jet
Taylor <JetTaylor@carolina.rr.com>
Wed
5/24/2023 12:36 PM
This was posted today...another discussion
going on probably since the very formation of Isshin Ryu.
"That Kusanku was used
to teach principles useful for fighting at night has been derided by some as a
fable, yet it is a method which Shimabuku Tatsuo can be seen
demonstrating here after performing the kata (1). Sunabe Shozen
also reported learning the concept from their common teacher, Kyan Chotoku,
during extended nighttime training periods (2).
The technique shown at the end of the video is
one described by Sunabe Sensei wherein “the defender dropped to the ground to silhouette the
attacker against the sky.” Although the head movements are performed rather
quickly in the demonstration, the skill being taught takes slightly more time
in reality. The portion of the eye responsible for night sight makes use of
peripheral rather than central vision, and responds more effectively to
movement than detailed analysis. As such, a sector scan utilizing offset vision
is generally most effective for acquiring a target in low light situations.
This is easily performed by focusing the eyes in one area for a period of time
and paying attention to movement within the periphery. After a few moments have
passed, the head is moved and a scan begins within the new sector (3).
Visual acquisition can be aided by lowering one’s body position in order to
take advantage of silhouettes created against the night sky, windows, etc., as
is done in Kusanku.
Shimabuku and Sunabe Senseis also taught in
common that sweeping movements made with the hands and feet could be useful for
identifying not only your opponent, but changes in the terrain and other
environmental factors, as well. A final technique mentioned in the article and
taught by Shimabuku Sensei is the placement of the back of an open hand against
the forehead during the beginning of the kata, “movements that were used to shield
the eyes from the moonlight and better identify the attacker,” (2).
Chibana Chosen Sensei related a similar account
in an October 10, 1966 interview: “One evening Aragaki
[Ankichi] and Shimabukuro [Taro] visited Kiyabu for an evening of training. They
walked into Kiyabu's garden with a lighted paper lantern. Kiyabu immediately
said that they should not rely on a lantern, but should train their eyes so
they could see in the dark. Kiyabu often had them train in the dark…”
Though it is not something passed on within all
lineages that practice Kusanku, the methods mentioned here were taught as
useful by Kyan Chotoku Sensei and have been carried forth by schools which have
descended from his.
1. Shimabuku, Tatsuo - Kusanku. Video filmed
in 1966, Tacoma, Washington
2. Goodin, Charles: Karate for Milk, The Story
of Shozen Sunabe, A Student of Chotoku Kyan.
https://cfa-digital.com/product/classical-fighting-arts-magazine-vol-2-no-22-issue-45
3. http://www.danubewings.com/night-vision/
"
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