Shodan:
Examinee chooses Bassai-dai;
examiner chooses any Heian kata or Tekki Shodan.
Nidan:
Examinee chooses an "A" or
"B" class; examiner chooses any "A" class kata.
Sandan:
Examinee chooses an "A",
"B" or "C"; examiner chooses an "A" or
"B" class kata.
Yondan /Godan:
Examinee chooses an "A",
"B", "C" or "D"; examiner chooses an
"A", "B" or "C".
HEIAN
Heian means "peaceful
mind". This kata is the first of five introductory katas, developed by
Yasutsune Itosu (one of Gichin Funakoshi's instructors). Although scholars to
not agree on how the Heian kata were created, it is commonly stated that all are
derived in some part from the higher level kata Kanku-dai (In addition to the
Kanku-dai, each of the Heian kata are related to another advanced kata). Itosu
created the Heian kata for introduction into the school curriculum, removing or
de-emphasizing some of the more dangerous techniques found in the advanced kata.
The Heian series are all shorin
kata, which emphasize light, flexible movements.
Heian Shodan
means the first of the Heian series. It is related to the advanced kata Gion.
The major points in this kata are front stance and lunge punch. There are 21
movements, which should take about 40 seconds to perform.
Heian Nidan
means the second of the Heian series.
This was originally the first Heian
kata; Gichin Funakoshi changed the order, believing that this was the more
difficult of the two (both to learn and to teach). It is related to the advanced
kata Bassai-dai.
The major points of this kata are
back stance, sidekick, reverse hip position and combination techniques. There
are 26 movements, which should take about 40 seconds to perform.
Heian Sandan
means the third of the Heian series. It is related to the advanced kata Jitte.
The major points of this kata are
side stance and forearm block. There are 20 movements, which should take about
40 seconds to perform.
Heian Yondan
means the fourth of the Heian series. It is related to the advanced kata
Kanku-dai.
The major points are
expansion/contraction, blocking and finishing techniques. There are 27
movements, which should take about 50 seconds to perform.
Heian Godan
means the fifth of the Heian series. It is related to the advanced kata Gankaku.
The major points are flexibility
and balance. There are 23 movements, which should take about 50 seconds to
perform.
TEKKI
Tekki means iron horse or horse
stance. Tekki Shodan is the first of the series. The tekki kata are shorei kata,
emphasizing strong, powerful techniques. These kata were revised or created by
Yasutsune Itosu. Funakoshi was required to spend three years learning each tekki
kata. (At that time, students would spend several years learning a kata).
Tekki Shodan
was originally called Naihanchi and was revised by Itosu; Tekki Nidan and Sandan
were created by Itosu.
It is not clear why performance is
on a single line, although the kata is sometimes taught as being performed in
armour and/or on horseback (this would not be a practical application). The
meaning of the kata could also be defence with ones back against a wall; or, in
a boat.
The major points are lower body
strength, hip vibration and side stance. There are 29 movements, which should
take about 50 seconds to perform.
Tekki Nidan
means the second of the Tekki series. Tekki Nidan and Tekki Sandan are first
learned at brown belt level, but are not practised extensively until black belt
level.
The major points are lower body
strength, hip vibration and side stance. There are 24 movements, which should
take about 50 seconds to perform.
Tekki Sandan
means the third of the Tekki series.
The major points are lower body
strength, hip vibration and side stance. There are 36 movements, which should
take about 50 seconds to perform.
BASSAI DAI
Bassai-dai means to break through
the enemy's defences by shifting and finding the weak points (also commonly said
to mean storming a fortress). This kata is performed from 3rd kyu level until
the shodan grading. Originally called Passai, it was performed mainly in Tomari
and Shuri. Bassai-dai is a shorin kata.
The major points are hip rotation,
forcefulness, strong spirit and overflowing power; disadvantage must be changed
to advantage. There are 42 movements, which should take about 60 seconds to
perform.
KANKU DAI
Kanku-dai means to observe the
universe or the sky (from the distinctive first movement). Dai denotes that this
is the greater Kanku kata.
The kata was originally known as
Kushanku, the name of a Chinese martial artist who came to Okinawa in the
eighteenth century. This was Gichin Funakoshi's favourite kata and the one that
he chose for the first public demonstration of karate outside Okinawa. Funakoshi
believed that Kanku-dai contained all of the essential elements of Shotokan
karate. It is also the favourite of Okazaki Sensei, who demonstrates it in the
Best Karate series.
This kata is often selected by the
examiner as the second kata in a nidan grading.
The major points are techniques
which are both fast and slow, powerful and soft, expanding and contracting and
jumping and crouching. The kata should be performed as if completely surrounded
by enemies. Conditioning is also a major point, because of the length of the
kata. There are 65 movements, which should take about 90 seconds to perform.
JITTE
Jitte (sometimes spelled Jutte)
means ten hands, or the strength of ten. This shorei kata originated in Tomari.
The kata may be performed with a staff in the hands.
The name of this kata has not been
changed (only Jitte and Gion share this distinction).
The major points are hip rotation,
and blocking with the staff. There are 24 movements, which should take about 60
seconds to perform.
HANGETSU
Hangetsu means half moon (it is
also the name of the major stance in the kata). It is of Chinese origin and was
originally known as Seisan or Seishan. It was practised primarily in Tomari (one
source suggests Naha). It is a shorei kata.
The major points are
expansion/contraction, circular arm and leg movements and breathing. There are
41 movements, which should take about 60 seconds to perform.
EMPI
Empi (sometimes spelled Enpi) means
flight of the swallow.
This shorin kata was practised
mainly in Tomari (until the Meiji Restoration, when it spread to Shuri and
Naha); it was formerly known as Wansu or Wanshu (after a Chinese martial artist
on Okinawa). The name was changed by Gichin Funakoshi. Yasutsune Itosu made
significant revisions to the original kata.
The main points high and low body
position and light, quick movements (speed). There are 37 movements, which
should take about 60 seconds to perform.
GANKAKU
Gankaku means crane on a rock
(named for a distinctive stance in the kata - there should be a feeling like a
crane poised on one leg, about to strike out in self defence). This is a very
old kata, originally known as Chinto; the name was changed by Gichin Funakoshi.
The kata was revised by Yasutsune Itosu. Gankaku is a shorin kata (although
sometimes said to be a shorei kata).
The main points are balance and
side kick. There are 42 movements, which should take about 60 seconds to
perform.
JION
The meaning of Gion (sometimes
spelled Jion) is not clear. This shorei kata may be named after a Chinese monk
who visited Okinawa; there are also a temples by this name in Japan and China.
And, there is a well-known Buddhist saint named Gion. The name of this kata has
not been changed. Gion was originally practised in Tomari. A version of this
kata is also practised in Wado-ryu karate.
In keeping with the Buddhist
connotations of the name, the kata should be practised calmly, precisely and
strongly. This kata is demonstrated by Tanaka Sensei in the Best Karate series.
BASSAI SHO
Bassai-sho means the lessor Bassai
kata. This shorin kata was created by Yasutsune Itosu. It is smoother, but less
powerful, than Bassai-dai.
The main points are blocking
strongly and counter-attacking sharply. There are 27 movements.
KANKU SHO
Kanku-sho means the lessor Kanku
kata. This shorin kata requires a mastery of Heian Yondan and Kanku-dai.
The main points are correct use of
power, speed and expansion/contraction of the muscles. There are 47 movements.
CHINTE
Chinte means interesting/unusual
hand. This is a shorin kata containing many Chinese techniques which are not
found often in Shotokan karate. Funakoshi changed the name to Shoin, but it has
since reverted back to its former name. It is difficult to master the correct
use of power in this kata. There are 33 movements.
UNSU
Unsu means hands like clouds. This
is a shorin kata with unknown origins. The hands are meant to sweep away the
opponents' techniques like clouds changing shape in the sky. Masatoshi Nakayama
warned that this kata would look like "a scarecrow trying to dance"
unless the Heian kata, Kanku-dai, Empi and Gion were first mastered.
The main points are high and low
jumps, kicking techniques, feints and the use of many body parts as weapons.
There are 48 movements.
SOCHIN
Sochin means the preservation of
peace among men (and is the name of the primary stance in this kata). This is a
shorei kata, modified by Yoshitaka Funakoshi (the son of Gichin Funakoshi).
The main points are low, powerful
movements and the sochin (also called fudo-dachi) stance. There are 40
movements.
NIJU SHIHO
Nijushiho means twenty-four steps
(there are now 30 moments, but there were originally 24 foot movements). The
meaning of the kata is an expression of the nature of a water current or waves
(sometimes the movements are slow and majestic, sometimes strong and swift).
This is a shorin kata (although some regard it as a shorei kata). It is the
favourite kata of instructor Frank Woon-A-Tai.
In 1934 Master Funakoshi took
Masatoshi Nakayama to learn this kata from Shito-ryu master Kenwa Mabuni. The
kata was gradually altered to conform with Shotokan technique.
The main point of this kata is
total integration of varying strengths and speed (Masatoshi Nakayama warns that
this kata will resemble a "dance" without mastery of these).
GOJU
Gojushiho-dai means fifty-four
steps (there are now 62 movements). This shorin kata should convey the idea of a
bird attacking a foe with its sharp beak.
The old name is Useshi. It is of
Chinese origin and was practised in China until the twentieth century. Masatoshi
Nakayama also learned the Gojushiho kata when he studied Nijushiho with Mabuni.
The main points are varied smooth
and flowing techniques.
GUJUSIHO
Gojushiho-sho means the lessor
Gojushiho kata. This is a shorin kata which should convey the idea of a bird
attacking its foe with its beak, wings and claws.
A high level of technical skill is
required to perform or understand this kata. One of the main points is sword
hand technique. The 65 movements are easily confused with those of Gojushiho-dai.
MEIKYO
Meikyo means polishing the mirror
(referring to polishing one's techniques by continual practice, to gain an
untarnished understanding of both technique and character).
This Shorei kata brings together
the techniques mastered in the Heian kata to form a more mellow and serene kata.
It was originally called Rohai. This was the favourite kata of Nakayama Sensei.
The legendary origin of this kata
is evocative of the dance that the gods performed to make the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu)
come out of the cave where she was hiding.
There are 32 movements.
WANKAN
Wankan means king's crown. This is
a shorin kata that is not covered in the Best Karate series. Wankan is the
shortest of the Shotokan kata. It was originally practiced in Tomari and
contains smoother and lighter movements than what is now seen in Shotokan
karate.
JI'IN
Ji'in conveys a respect for the
departed and the calmness/forcefulness of jion. The origin is unknown and the
name may be derived from the same source as jion. It is not dealt with in the
Best Karate series.
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