Originally created by Kancho Robert Sullivan in the early 2000s as a kata for himself, Shokan-te is now part of the GKR syllabus. The kata’s name is a direct reflection of it being Kancho’s first kata that he has created Sho (first) Kan (Kancho) Te (hand).
While training at home after a session with senior students, Kancho started working on some techniques, combinations and movements when he realised a kata was forming. Having created 80-90% of the kata that day, he then set about finishing it the following day, making sure that it finished in the same position that it started.
The first move in Shokan-te is a step back and block which is consistent with Kancho placing defence as a higher priority over offence in kata and in karate as a whole. Each group of techniques in the kata reflects combinations that Kancho has used in kumite or drills and that have proved effective.
Once the kata was complete, Kancho could see that if this kata was adopted and trained consistently it would be something of value. With a broad range of techniques used in Shokan-te, regular practise would ensure that students were training their foundation techniques with the benefit of multiple combinations.
Based on Kancho’s fighting style, Shokan-te follows a diamond shape embusen and utilises practical movements and combinations that can be transferred across to kumite and self-defence situations.
What started off as a personal kata for Kancho, Shokan-te, along with Nikan-te and Sankan-te, have now been formalised and included in the GKR Syllabus for 5th Dan and above gradings.
