kataz

Heian Shodan

Heian means "peaceful mind". This kata is the first of five introductory kata, 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

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, side kick, reverse hip position and combination techniques. There are 26 movements, which should take about 40 seconds to perform.

Heian Sandan

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

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

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 Shodan

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

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

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 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.

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 (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 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 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.

The meaning of Jion (sometimes spelled Gion) 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.

The main points are calm, forceful movements, with a fierce fighting spirit. There are 47 movements, which should take about 60 seconds to perform.

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 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 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 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.

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).

Gijushiho-sho

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.

Gojushiho-dai

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.

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 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 conveys a respect for the departed and the calmness/forcefulness of Gion. The origin is unknown and the name may be derived from the same source as Gion. It is not dealt with in the Best Karate series.

Taikyoku series

Taikyoku Shodan, Nidan and Sandan were created by Gigo Funakoshi for training beginners, but are now seldom practiced by J.K.A. clubs. At one time, beginners studied the Taikyoku series before learning the Heian series. They are set out in Karate-Do Kyohan. Taikyoku means first cause.

Ten no kata series

Ten no Kata Omote and Ura were also created by Gigo Funakoshi for training beginners. Again, these kata are no longer practiced, but appear in Karate-Do Nyumon. The Ten no Kata series was also designed for kumite practice. The name means kata of the universe.