Kata

Kihon

Kata

Kumite

Syllabus

Tournament R & R

Technical Guide

Kata (Forms)

	Karate Kata or the formal exercises of karate consists of a series of basic techiques of Blocking, Punching, Striking and Kicking which are logically and orderly combined. The formal exercises are a systematically organized series of offensive and defensive techniques performed in a set sequence. A karate player perfoms a kata as if fighting imaginary enemies attacking him from different directions which determine the performance lines. Every movement in a kata has a meaning defining either defence or offence. The various kata have been developed by ancient masters through experience. Every 'kata' begins with a defensive technique. The kata which are practiced in the present day can be divided into two groups. one, those kata that look simple but at the same time show elegance and majesty and can be used for building up the physique. The other group is suggestive of fast and can be used for acquiring fast reflexes and reaction timing. By practicing Kata one can exercise the whole body as bending, stretching, jumping and turning are all present.
Japanese Kanji for Kata

It was Funakoshi Dai Sensei's insistence on training in kata conforming to his view of learning one kata for three years which made famous his quote Hitotsu kata san nen ( see calligraphy) He stressed on training each kata to perfection Having trained with great masters like Azato, Anko Itosu, Niigaki and others, Funakoshi Dai Sensei was well aware of all the various Kata forms of the Naha, Shuri and Tomari schools.
In the beginning of the 19th century, there were only 24 kata taught in Okinawa. However the secrecy that governed the martial art along iwth the absence of any written records meant that the only method of teaching was from master to student. This led to the katas getting different interpretations from various masters' students. It is because of these interpretations that in modern day karate a little over 60 katas are in existance.
To make his philosophy of training in karate-do kata more practical for the karateka, he chose to bring down the original number of kata taught in his school. In order to make Karate-do an integral part of Japanese culture and tradition, Funakoshi Dai Sensei also modified the names of the kata to make them more Japanese in nature. Katas like Kushanku became Kanku, Pasai changed to Bassai. Chinto to Empi, Seishan to Hangetsu and the Pinan series to Heian.

POINTS TO BE NOTED WHILE PERFORMING KARATE-DO KATA

When a karateka performs a kata he should keep these points in his mind.

1) The performer must bow at the beginning and at the end of the kata. The bow must be stately and from the waist not just a simple nod. It must show humility, gentleness and courage.
2) At the "yoi" (Ready) position the performer must clear his head of all other thoughts and concentrate solely on the kata till he finishes the kata at "Naore (Eyesfront)" .
3) The Kata must be performed in the necessary stances and in the same order. Under no circumstrances can the kata be changed as otherwise loses it's meaning.
4) The kata must be performed on performance lines or the "Embu sen". These lines are based on predetermined directions of attacks by the enemy and the predetermined direction of movement by which these are is defended against. The kata must also finish at the point from where it was started.
5) One of the necessities to perform good kata is a clear and correctly understanding of the meaning of each movement performed and the expression of the attitude portrayed while performing these movements.
6) A corollary to the earlier point is that the performer must be aware of the exact points of attacks and counter-attacks and whilst turning from one to another keep his eyes on them according to the movements of the kata.
7) The most important point Funakoshi Dai Sensei stressed on was the three principles of kata - the correct use of power 2) correct usage of speed of movement 3) correct expansion and contraction of the body in order to give the kata performs beauty, power and rhythm.

KATA MATCH

A karate-do kata match can best be compared with a gymnastics competition where winners are determined by points allotted by the judges. Unlike gymnsatics however, in addition to perfect form and balance, factors like vitality, power, strength and attitude while executing the various techniques of the kata are also taken into consideration and in addition there must be a smooth flow from one technique to the next. In competition, no matter how skillful the overall performance may be if the player makes even a small slip his points diminish considerably.

LIST OF JKA KATA'S

	Heian Shodan	Elimination round 1 kata for JKA India tournaments
	Heian Nidan	Elimination round 1 kata for JKA India tournaments
	Heian Sandan	Elimination round 1 kata for JKA India tournaments
	Heian Yondan	Elimination round 1 kata for JKA India tournaments
	Heian Godan	Elimination round 1 kata for JKA India tournaments
	Tekki - Shodan	Elimination round 1 kata for JKA India tournaments
	Tekki - Nidan	Tokui Kata for JKA India tournaments
	Tekki - Sandan	Tokui Kata for JKA India tournaments
	Bassai-Dai	Shitei kata for the Shoto Cup and JKA India tournaments
	Jion	Shitei kata for the Shoto Cup and JKA India tournaments
	Enpi	Shitei kata for the Shoto Cup and JKA India tournaments
	Kanku-Dai	Shitei kata for the Shoto Cup and JKA India tournaments
	Hangetsu	Sentei kata for the Shoto Cup and JKA India tournaments
	Jitte	Sentei kata for the Shoto Cup and JKA India tournaments
	Gankaku	Sentei kata for the Shoto Cup and JKA India tournaments
	Bassai-Sho	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Kanku-Sho	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Nijushiho	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Goju Shiho -Dai	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Goju Shiho -Sho	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Sochin	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Unsu	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Wankan	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Chinte	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments
	Meikyo	Tokui Kata for the Shoto Cup & JKA India tournaments

SOME NOTES ON THE VARIOUS KATA

Taikyoku series	The word Tai means great & kyouku means to study throughly	These three katas Taikyoku Shodan, Nidan & Sandan were developed by Yoshitaka Funakoshi Sensei, the son of Funakoshi Ginchin Dai sensei These katas are primarily to teach the absolute fundamentals of Shotokan Karate-do.
Heian Series	The word Heian is shortened from two words heiwa meaning peace and antei neaning stability	These are the Basic Fundamental Katas. Though no written records exist, it is known that Yatsune Itosu Sensei, one of Funakoshi Dai Sensei's teachers developed these kata combining different movements from the Advanced katas.
Tekki Series	Originally called Naifanchi in Okinawa, the name was changed by Funakoshi Dai Sensei to Tekki meaning Iron Horseman	The Origin of the first of the tekki kata may be Chinese but the second and the third were made by Itosu Yatsune
Bassai series of Katas Bassai Dai & Bassai Sho	The Meaning of Bassai is to Break into the Castle Dai - Great Sho - Small	The Kata teaches about Basic body shifting in different directions. It is said to have originated in the Shuri Te School of Master Itosu. The Kata is taught in 2 versions, the Dai (meaning great or Big and the Sho meaning Small or little. Both katas have the performance lines shaped as a "T" The DAI kata was introduced by Master Oyadomori. The Dai kata has 42 movements. The Sho kata was introduced by the great master Itosu and has 27 moves
Jion	The 2 calligraphic charectars "Ji on" translated literally means Love Goodness. The kata is named after a temple in China	The kata is representative of the Strong movements of Shotokan Karate and is said to be considered of having it's origins in Tomari Te. The turning of the body and shifting of the body can be learned by practice of this kata. The kata cosnsits of 47 movements and the performance lines are "I" shaped.
Kanku series of Katas Kanku Dai & Kanku Sho	The 2 calligraphic charectars "Kan Ku" translated literally means To look at the sky Dai - Great Sho - Small	Like the Bassai kata, this kata too has 2 versions Dai and Sho. The Kata was originally known as Ku shan ku and ko sho kun and was named after after a Chinese boxing expert who developed the kata. The Dai version of the kata contains many movements incorporated into the Heian Series. The great Master Itosu created the Kanku Sho kata based on the Dai version The performance lines of both katas are similar, the Dai version has 65 movements the Sho version has 47 movements.
Enpi or Empi	The 2 calligraphic charectars "En pi" translated literally means is "Flying Swallow"	Formerly called Wanshu, this kata has it's origins in the shuri Te school and is considered to be one of the earlier known katas. The kata's movements emulate the quick up and down flights of the Swallow. The kata cosists of 37 movements
Jutte	The 2 calligraphic charectars "Ju te " translated literally means "Ten Hands"	The kata is symbollic of the strength needed to fight ten opponents. It belongs to the same group as Jion, Jiin in it's origin in the the Shuri te school. The Start posture & finish posture of the Kata is similar to the other two. The kata has 24 moves and is usually considered as a kata used for defence against the Bo (stick).
Gankaku	The 2 calligraphic charectars "Gan kaku" translated literally read as Crane standing on a rock.	Earlier called chinto, the kata has it's origins in the Shuri Te school and has 42 moves. The performance lines (embusen) is a straight line
Goju shi ho series of Katas Goju shi ho Dai & Goju shi ho Sho	The Meaning of Goju shi ho is fifty four steps Dai - Great/Big Sho - Small /Little	The katas have their origins in the Shuri Te school and are considered to be amongst the most advanced katas of Master Anko Itosu .The Dai version has 62 movements and the Sho version has 64 movements.
Niju shi ho	The Meaning of Niju shi ho is Twenty four steps	The name is said to have come from the number of foot movements in the kata. The original name of the kata was ni sei shi. The uniqueness of the kata is the smoothness of the movements and specifically the movement of the Haishu Uke found only in this kata. The kata has 33 movements.
Hangetsu	The 2 calligraphic charectars "Han getsu " translated literally read as half moon	The kata has it's base in Naha-te. Originally called Seishan, it is distinct in it's movements and the breathing involved whilst performing the kata. The kata consists of 41 moves.
Sochin	The 2 calligraphic charectars "So chin" translated literally mean strength and calmness	The kata uses Fudo dachi often called sochin dachi. The original name for the kata was hakko and was used to teach defence against the bo(stick) Full of stately movements the kata exudes strength when performed slowly. There are 40 movements in the kata.
Unsu	The 2 calligraphic charectars "Unsu" translated literally mean Cloud Hands	Classically read & pronounced as un-shu, the kata takes it's charectar from the clouds in the sky always transforming themselves with continous changes. The kata's intricate movements make it one of the most advanced katas though the history of the kata seems to be recent. The kata has 48 movements.
Wankan	The 2 calligraphic charectars "Wankan " translated literally mean "King" and "Crown"	The kata is very short and the smallest kata in Shotokan karate. Having it's origin's in the Shuri Te school, the kata is also uncommon as it has only one kiai
Chinte	The 2 calligraphic charectars "Chin te" translated literally mean extraordinary (rare) hands	The kata begins with calmness and slowly emerges with power finishing in tranquility. The rare use in karate of tate ken is seen in this kata as well as the nihon nukite. The circular movements in the kata make it different from other Shotokan kata. The kata has it's origins in the Shuri Te school and has 33 moves.
Meikyo	The calligraphic charectars "Mei kyo" translated literally mean Shining or bright mirror	Orinally called rohai, the kata has 33 movements. The sankaku tobi or triangular jump is a spectular highlight of the kata if executed properly

Site Maintained By : Nihon Karate Kyokai (Dadar)