Variations of Kūsankū include Dai and Shō, which have been known since the early 20th century, but today differ from school-to-school.

[2] This kata is also practiced in Tang Soo Do as Kong Sang Koon (공상군) in Korean according to the hangul rendering of the hanja 公相君.

In Matsubayashi-ryu karate, the kata is known for its flying kick and its "cheating" stance, which robs the opponent of opportunities to attack by extending one leg along the ground and squatting as low as possible on the other (ura-gamae).

One possible bunkai for this technique allows the practitioner to escape a bear hug from behind by twisting and dropping out of their grasp.

The hand techniques that accompany the stance block the head, while allowing for a strike to the groin, knee, or foot.