Shotokan Global Japan Karate Academy

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

# # # Shotokan Karate – Kanku Dai Kata 🥋

Kanku Dai is one of the most important and advanced kata in Shotokan Karate. It is practised in Shotokan schools worldwide and is known for its variety of techniques, changes in direction, jumps, and dynamic movemen

* Kanku (観空): “Viewing the sky” or “looking at the sky.”

* Dai (大): “Big” or “major.”

The name is commonly understood as “To View the Sky – Major.”

The opening movement is distinctive: the karateka raises both hands and looks through the space formed by them towards the sky. This movement is associated with the name of the kata.
| Japanese name | 観空大 (Kanku Dai) |
| Number of movements | Commonly counted as 65 |
| Original name | Kushanku / Kūsankū |
| Related kata | Kanku Sho |
| Main characteristics | Power, speed, balance, flexibility and changes of level |
| Commonly taught level | Advanced, often brown-belt level or above, depending on the organisation

Both hands rise in front of the face, forming an opening through which the karateka looks upward. The movement requires control, correct breathing and concentration

09/10/2026