Practical Kata Bunkai: Yantsu / Ansan Bunkai

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This video looks at bunkai for the kata Yantsu / Ansan. The kata is practised in Kyokushin under the name “Yantsu”, and in Shito-Ryu under the name “Ansan”. These names are alternate pronunciations of the same two characters. The first means “safe” and the second means “three”. The kata name can therefore be taken to mean “safe in three ways”. The Kyokushin version moves in three directions (forward, right and left) so that could be one explanation for the name. However, the Shito-Ryu version also moves to the back which would seem to undermine the theory (although it is possible the fourth direction was added later). When looking at the bunkai I see sequences for when you are gripped with both hands (1), gripped with one hand (2), and when both hands are free (3). It is possible that it is these three scenarios that the name refers too. While we don’t know for certain, it seems to me that the kata covers the fundamentals of self-protection. I hope you find the video of interest.

All the best,

Iain