Created 3-4 years after Shokan-te, Kancho’s second kata Nikan-te, is a kaishugata (open hand kata). As with his first kata, Kancho never intentionally set out to create Nikan-te. The kata took shape one day as he was doing home training and practising some of his favourite techniques. As the kata unfolded, Kancho realised that it was all open handed and contained some of his most used kumite techniques.
With Haito being one of Kancho’s favourite techniques, it features quite a lot in Nikan-te, with combinations striking high then low which is a reflection of how Kancho spars. Nikan-te develops orientation and an awareness to the effectiveness of open hand techniques, striking vulnerable areas of the opponent.
When creating a kata, Kancho Sullivan explains that it is a very natural and organic process. He doesn’t set out to create a kata, or with an idea for it to be included in the GKR syllabus. Instead, he lets the moves flow naturally and from within using muscle memory and favourite techniques to create practical kata that provides an insight into Kancho’s kumite style.
Whereas Shokan-te is a kata that presses forward, Nikan-te moves forward and backward, always flowing and without pauses, mirroring kumite between two people.
Practitioners should work towards flowing seamlessly from one technique to the other with smooth transitions between stances to hardwire their subconscious responses to be accessed in kumite or self-defence situations.
