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Unsū

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Unsu (雲手), literally "cloud hands", is an advanced kata found in Shotokan and Shito-Ryu karate styles. It contains many intricate hand techniques, such as the ippon-nukite (one finger strike) in the opening sequence. Unsu also contains a 360-degree spinning double-kick with a double-leg take down at the same time, landing on the floor face-down before continuing. Because of this, it is a very common kata in tournaments. Being among the most advanced of kata, it is generally taught to karateka at the 3rd to 4th Dan.

The origin of Unsu is unknown, but it is of the Dragon style {{citation}}: Empty citation (help). It is somewhat a condensation of other katas (e.g., Bassai, Kanku, Jion, Empi, Jitte and Gankaku), hence it is essential to have mastered these before practicing Unsu. The movement, Unsu, or hands in the cloud, is used to sweep away the hands of the opponent and is said to signify the gathering clouds in a thunderstorm. It consists of 48 moves.

"Unsu" is also the title of a 2006 album by French metal band Lyzanxia.

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