Karate kata are
sequences of basic, intermediate and advanced techniques
arranged into set orders and patterns. The closest
examples or equivalents of the Karate kata in other
activities or sports are shadow boxing, dance routines
and the floor routines in gymnastics. The name kata is a
Japanese term translated as mold, model, style, form or
shape.
Each kata has it’s own character. Some kata are heavy
and powerful whereas others are far more graceful and
flowing in their nature. Some kata however, contain a
mixture of both and each kata has it’s own unique
timing. The 26 JKA shotokan kata are all individually
named and given their own personality. In some cases,
the source of the name is obvious. In others, the name
of the kata can only be guessed at from the kanji that
their identity was originally written in.
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Heian Kata
On the island of Okinawa, this group of kata were
originally called the 'Pinan’ kata. The name Heian was
given to them by Sensei Gichin Funokoshi and is most
commonly interpreted as meaning 'Peaceful Mind’. The
Heian kata are named in a fashion that indicates their
level of difficulty, i.e. one to five. With the
exception of the Tekki kata, the other Shotokan kata are
not named using such a numerical system.
Tekki Kata
This group of three kata were originally called the
Naihanchi kata. Once again this name was replaced by
Funokoshi Sensei and changed to Tekki. The name Tekki is
taken from the character 'Tetsu’ meaning iron or steel
and 'Ki’ meaning to ride a horse or simply knight. One
possible translation of the name Tekki is 'Iron Knight’.
Dai and Sho Kata
The Japanese kanji (characters) for Dai and Sho simply
translate as 'Big’ and 'Small’. Despite a common
misconception, Dai kata are not anymore or any less
advanced than their Sho versions. Despite the
translation of big and small, the Gojushiho kata are
reversed. The 'dai’ version of these two kata is
actually smaller than that of 'Sho’.
Common Kata Terminology
Rei - Bow
Yoi - Ready
position
Yasume - Return to
Yoi
Naore - Relax
Enbusen - The
invisible performance line on which the kata is
performed.
Kiai - Focus point
in the kata where the Karate-Ka shouts.
Please select from the list below the Kata you wish to
view
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Heian Shodan
(Peaceful Mind - Level 1)
21 movements, Kiai on movements 9 and 17 |
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Heian Nidan
(Peaceful Mind - Level 2)
26 movements, Kiai on movements 11 and 26 |
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Heian Sandan
(Peaceful Mind - Level 3)
20 movements, Kiai on movements 10 and 20 |
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Heian Yondan
(Peaceful Mind - Level 4)
27 movements, Kiai on movements 13 and 25 |
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Heian Godan
(Peaceful Mind - Level 5)
23 movements, Kiai on movements 12 and 19 |
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Tekki Shodan (Iron
Horse (Knight) - Level 1)
29 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 29 |
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Tekki Nidan (Iron
Horse (Knight) - Level 2)
24 movements, Kiai on movements 16 and 24 |
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Tekki Sandan (Iron
Horse (Knight) - Level 3)
36 movements, Kiai on movements 16 and 36 |
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Bassai Dai (To
penetrate a fortress)
42 movements, Kiai on movements 19 and 42 |
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Kanku Dai (To look
at the sky)
65 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 65 |
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Enpi (Flight of
the swallow)
37 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 36 |
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Jion (Named after
the temple Jion-Ji)
47 movements, Kiai on movements 17 and 47 |
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Jitte (Ten Hands)
24 movements, Kiai on movements 13 and 24 |
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Hangetsu (Half
Moon)
41 movements, Kiai on movements 11 and 40 |
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Gankaku (Crane
standing upon a rock)
42 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 42 |
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Ji’in (Named after
the temple grounds of Jion-Ji)
35 movements, Kiai on movements 11 and 35
Note: This kata was
unsuccessfully renamed Shokyo (Pine Shadow) by
Funakoshi Sensei. Ji’in is no longer recognised
as an official JKA kata although it is still
widely taught and practised. |
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Bassai Sho (To
penetrate a fortress- Minor)
27 movements, Kiai on movements 17 and22 |
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Kanku Sho (To look
at the sky - Minor)
47 movements, Kiai on movements 6 and 47 |
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Chinte (Incredible
Hands)
32 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 32 |
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Nijushiho (24
Steps)
33 movements, Kiai on movements 18 and 32 |
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Sochin (Energetic
Calm)
40 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 40
Note: This kata was
unsuccessfully renamed Hakko (Eight Storms) by
Funakoshi Sensei. It is not known why some of
Funokoshi Sensei’s new kata names didn’t succeed
whilst others remain to this day. |
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Meikyo (Bright
Mirror)
33 movements, Kiai on movement 32
Note: This kata is
sometimes referred to by the name Rohai. It is
believed that Meikyo is taken from one of four
Rohai kata practised in Okinawa.
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Wankan (Kings
Crown)
25 movements, Kiai on movement 25 |
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Unsu (Hands in the
clouds)
48 movements, Kiai on movements 38 and 48 |
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Gojushiho Sho (54
Steps – Minor)
65 movements, Kiai on movements 57 and 64 |
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Gojushiho Dai (54
Steps - Major)
62 movements, Kiai on movements 54 and 6
Note: This kata was
unsuccessfully renamed Hotaku, which is the
Japanese name for `woodpecker’. This was due to
the likeness of the action of a woodpecker
tapping its beak against a tree
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