Anaku Explained

Anaku (アナク) is a kata derived from Ananku (See Karate kata). It is translated as "Expression Pivoting Form" or "Pivoting Swallow Form". This kata is typically taught to Go Kyu (Green Belt Kata).^[1]

Anaku is used to teach two principles: shifting from Kiba Dachi to Zenkutsu Dachi to Kiba Dachi, and T'ung Gee Hsing's principle of pounding, which is hitting the same spot multiple times.

Chotoku Kyan is credited with recomposing this kata for Karate in 1895.

Bunkai

• Xingyis principle is used four times in the kata. The first time it is two tate zuki (vertical punch). The second time it is used with two tate zuki, a mae geri, and another tate zuki. The name comes from the five phases (wuxing), and T'ung Gee Hsing, a known practitioner of xingyiquan who taught Robert Trias some xingyiquan
• There is a third principle that is no longer commonly taught, though it is used in universal bunkai. The principle is called a Mae Choi Yaku, which is used instead of stepping back, the uke jumps in place while punching with a vertical punch.
• At the end of the kata, one can do a hidden spiritual movement called Shin Shin Taisha. A Shin Shin Taisha or 'dead breath' is done by exhaling for fifteen seconds straight. At the end of the Shin Shin Taisha the body should vibrate from stored tension. This technique used since the body is hard during the 7–13 second range and can take much damage.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Black Belt - Google Books . June 1998. 2015-03-11.