Urashi-bo 浦添棒

     This kata came directly from Taira, and was modified by either Shimabuku or Taira. This kata is called Urasoe no Kon in Taira's syllabus, and can be found in Inoue's series. Urasoe is the standard Japanese pronunciation of the name whereas Urashi is the old Okinawan pronunciation. According to Nakamoto (1983) Taira supposedly learned this kata from Mabuni Kenwa (1889-1952), founder of Shitoryu, which went on to become one of the "big four" styles of modern Japanese karate do. Mabuni gained most of his influence from the likes of Itosu Anko (1831-1916), Higaonna Kanryo (1852-1915), Aragaki Seisho (1840-1920), etc.

By sheer coincidence, Mabuni's karate, like that of Shimabuku, is a unique blend of the various kata traditions that were formerly practiced in and around the three main "karate areas" i.e. the Shuri, Tomari, and Naha districts.

*from The Kobudo of Shimabuku Tatsuo by Joe Swift, 1998