Once a student reaches Shodan (1st Dan), they will be introduced to both Kururunfa and Kanku-dai. Kururunfa uses tai-sabaki (evasive movements) with many of its counter strikes involving side stepping an oncoming attack while also requiring precise transition between techniques. It stands to reason this was the kata taught to teach a fighting methodology for facing a larger opponent. It is worth noting that kata Seiunchin (likely taught to Chojun Miyagi in China) also deals with fighting a larger opponent but with a completely different methodology.
GKR Karate – Kururunfa
Kururunfa History
Kururunfa is an advanced kata brought back from China by way of Kanryo Higaonna. When we compare Kururunfa with the other kata Higaonna learned under his instructor (Ryu Ru Ko Sensei ) in China you will note that Kururunfa is performed relatively quick and fast. This is likely because of his senjutsu (combat strategies) that focus on being light and evasive, using ample tai-sabaki (translated as whole body movement) rather than standing strong and blocking.
Kururunfa’s kanji is made up of four characters. The first ‘Ku’ is translated ‘long’ (or always), the second ‘ru’ as ‘hold’ (or still), the third ‘run’ as ‘sudden’ and its fourth ‘fa’ is translated as ‘tear’ (or break – similar to the ‘fa’ in Saifa). As a total entity, it is often depicted as ‘Always still, suddenly striking’. Another translation is ‘Hold patiently, suddenly destroy’. This backs up the predominant philosophy throughout of being calm and holding still while awaiting for a committed attack to emerge, then to quickly evade and counter by way of kicks to the knee, kakate (hooking, grabbing techniques), palms strikes, arm breaks and takedowns. Kururunfa’s senjutsu of tai-sabaki works equally at close range while defending against a grab or hold. Even when being wrestled, a competent practitioner of Kururunfa will be able to use kakate (grabbing techniques) combined with a swift shifting of the body to take control of an opponent’s centre of gravity.
Kururunfa Lineage
Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915)
Trained in Okinawa-te (the name given to Okinawan martial arts at the time) and then ventured to China where he trained for 13 years. Kanryo returned to Okinawa and developed the style ‘Naha-te’. The kata he taught were a combination of Okinawa-te principles and Chinese Kung fu. One of the many kata he taught was Kururunfa, which was most likely taught to him by Ryu Ro Ko in China.
Chogun Miyagi (1888-1953)
Chogun was one of the two key students of Kanryo Higaonna. Students were often taught kata to suit their bodies and skill levels. It is plausible that Higaonna taught Miyagi slightly different bunkai to suit his frame and later Miyagi adapted the kata to closer resemble his personalised bunkai.
Gogen Yamaguchi (1909-1989)
Gogen Yamaguchi was already a reputable karate-ka of Goju before he met its founder (Chogun Miyagi) around 1930. Miyagi became so impressed with Yamaguchi that he made him his successor for Goju in Japan.
GKR Karate
While many karate styles incorporate Kururunfa, GKR derives its version from Japanese Goju (not the more kung-fu appearing Okinawan Goju Kururunfa).
