Wanshu (糸洲汪輯, also ワンシュー) The way of writing the name of this kata (汪輯) means “Wang’s Series (or Form)” and refers to the name of the diplomat Wang (1621 – 1689). A poet, calligrapher, diplomat, and martial artist in the Shaolin tradition of Fujian White Crane, he is often credited with teaching chu’an fa to the gentry of Tomari region.
Many karate traditions include a kata bearing the name of Wanshu or a variant (Ansu, Anshu) which vary in schematics but carry certain distinctive similarities. There are two main versions of this kata, Itosu Wanshu and Tomari Wanshu.
