Kansuiryu is a style of Japanese Karate founded by Yukio Mizutani and Kanji Inoki in 1979. It is known for its full contact training.

History

Two men, Yukio Mizutani and Kanji Inoki, founded Kansuiryu Karate in the Mie prefecture of southern Japan.

As a young man Yukio Mizutani traveled to Okinawa and studied the Sh?rin-ry? style of karate under Sh?shin Nagamine. Upon returning to Japan Mizu Sensei began teaching karate and soon earned a reputation as a tough instructor who expected total and unquestioning commitment from his students. Training under Mizu Sensei was severe to the point of being brutal and the drop-out rate amongst students was high.

Kanji 'Antonio' Inoki, a professional wrestler trained by Frank Gotch and karate expert, earned his reputation fighting opponents from Asia, Pakistan and the United States. Today Inoki is as much a household name in Japan as is Muhammad Ali in the West (in fact the two once fought, the result being a lacklustre draw).

Inoki?s penchant for delivering off the cuff challenges soon brought him to the attention of Mizutani, who immediately proposed a bout - with the winner to be decided on the basis of whoever had a pulse afterwards! As it happened the fight never took place. The two men found they had a lot in common and became firm friends.

In 1979 Mizutani and Inoki decided to jointly found a new style of karate, which they named ?Kansuiryu.? The name is an amalgam of both surnames; ?kan? from Kanji Inoki and 'sui' being a play on words with the dual meaning of "water" (mizu, the first component of the surname Mizutani meaning water) or alternatively ?essence? or ?elegance.?

While retaining the traditional elements of kata and weapons training, particularly for higher grades, Kansuiryu also offers vigorous competition for those who display aptitude and interest. Training reflects the full-contact nature of the tournament rules, with practitioners expected to achieve a high level of fitness and technique.

Today in Japan more than seven thousand students study Kansuiryu Karate and compete in the Kansuiryu Full Contact Karate Championships, held during October each year. It is one of the largest full contact tournaments in the country.

Techniques and Stances

Stances

Fudo-dachi: Rooted stance

Heisuko-dachi: Informal Attention stance

Jiyu-dachi: Free-fighting stance

Kiba-dachi: Straddle leg stance; aka "Horse stance"

Kokutsu-dachi: Back stance

Mae-dachi: Front stance

Niko Ashi-dachi: Cat stance

Sanchin-dachi: Hour-glass stance

Zenkutsu-dachi: Forward stance

Punching Techniques

Age-zuki: Rising punch

Awase-zuki: U punch

Choku-zuki: Straight punch

Gyaku-zuki: Reverse punch

Kagi-zuki: Hook punch

Kizami-zuki: Jab

Mawashi-zuki: Roundhouse punch

Oi-zuki: Lunge punch

Tate-zuki: Vertical fist punch

Teisho-zuki: Palm-heel punch

Ura-zuki: Close punch

Kicking Techniques

Fumikomi: Stamping kick

Gyaku mawashi-geri: Reverse roundhouse kick

Mae-geri keage: Front snap kick

Mae-geri kekomi: Front thrust kick

Mae-tobi-geri: Jumping front kick

Mawashi-geri: Roundhouse kick

Mikazuki-geri: Crescent kick

Ushiro-geri keage: Back snap kick

Ushiro-geri kekomi: Back thrust kick

Yoko-geri keage: Side snap kick

Yoko-geri kekomi: Side thrust kick

Yoko-tobi-geri: Jumping side kick

Striking Techniques

Empi-uchi: Elbow strike

Mawashi empi-uchi: Roundhouse elbow strike

Otoshi empi-uchi: Downward elbow strike

Ushiro empi-uchi: Rear elbow strike

Yoko empi-uchi: Side elbow strike

Haishu-uchi: Back hand strike

Haito-uchi: Ridge hand strike

Koko-uchi: Tiger mouth hand strike

Shuto-uchi: Knife hand strike

See also

• Full contact karate
• Comparison of karate styles
• Yukio Mizutani
• Kanji Inoki

References

External links

• Official website (Japanese)
• World Kansuiryu Karate Federation Australian website
• Kanji Inoki's Homepage (English)