Shotokan Kata

Kata is the Quintessence of Karate

“Knowledge of just the sequence of a form in karate is useless” (Funakoshi Gichin Sensei)

Funakoshi Gichin Sensei originally taught a total of fifteen kata when he first arrived in Japan, though he knew many more. He also changed the names of a number of kata from their original Chinese or Okinawan name to Japanese names. For example the three Tekki kata in the Shotokan system were originally called Naifanchi or Naihanchi. Some systems still use the original Naifanchi or Naihanchi names.

Many of the modern day Shotokan kata are adaptations of kata from other traditional karate styles. These were added to the Shotokan syllabus after Funakoshi Sensei’s death. There are now 26 standard Shotokan kata.

It is also the case today that different Shotokan groups have altered various kata slightly to put their own particular stamp on the kata. At ASKA we perform kata in the style/method of Kanazawa Ryu. ASKA’s Gojushiho Dai is other Shotokan group’s Gojushiho Sho and vice versa. These are not big issues and most karate-ka who never move outside their own particular style would be unaware that these differences exist.

There are 6 kata in the Shotokan system that have the words Dai (big/large) or Sho (small) in their names. Dai refers to big/large movements and is a less complicated kata than its Sho version. I believe the Sho version of a kata is the higher kata and shows that karate-ka can achieve a great deal with less effort but at the same time the practitioner must be more highly skilled to achieve this.

In my view groups who follow the Kanazawa Ryu (style/method) have got it right when it comes to the Gojushiho Kata. The kata we practice as Gojushiho-Sho is technically far more demanding than Gojushiho-Dai, though both are wonderful kata.

There are five Heian kata. The name Heian means “Peaceful Mind” these Heian kata were originally named “Pinan” and the order of learning was different. The student learnt Heian Nidan (Pinan Shodan) as their first kata and Heian Shodan (Pinan Nidan) as their second kata.

Funakoshi Sensei believed that once a person mastered these first five kata then he could protect himself in most situations. It goes without saying that this includes understanding the applications contained within the five kata. Not all karate schools understand or teach the applications contained within any given kata.

ASKA instructors are aware of and do teach the applications contained within the kata. See the link at the end of the kata list.

The 26 standard Shotokan kata are as follows. The order in which the kata are taught varies after number 6, Tekki Shodan.

1. Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind)

2. Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind)

3. Heian Sandan (Peaceful Mind)

4. Heian Yondan (Peaceful Mind)

5. Heian Godan (Peaceful Mind)

6. Tekki Shodan (Horse Riding or Iron horse)

7. Tekki Nidan (Horse Riding or Iron horse)

8. Tekki Sandan (Horse Riding or Iron horse)

9. Bassai Dai (Bassai – To penetrate a fortress. Dai – big/large)

10. Bassai Sho (Bassai – To penetrate a fortress. Sho – small)

11. Kanku Dai (Kanku – To look at the sky. Dai – big/large)

12. Kanku Sho (Kanku – To look at the sky. Sho – small)

13. Jion (Named for either the famous Buddhist temple Jion-ji or the Buddhist saint Jion)

14. Jitte (Jutte) (Ten hands)

15. Enpi (Flying swallow)

16. Gankaku (Crane on a rock)

17. Hangetsu (Half moon)

18. Sochin (Energetic calm)

19. Nijushiho (Twenty four steps)

20. Meikyo (Bright/Polished mirror or Mirror of the Soul)

21. Ji'in (Temple grounds)

22. Chinte (Incredible hands)

23. Unsu (Hand in the clouds)

24. Wankan (King’s crown)

25. Gojushiho Dai (Fifty four steps – big/large)

26. Gojushiho Sho (Fifty four steps - small)

“Knowledge of just the sequence of a form in karate is useless” (Funakoshi Gichin Sensei)

ASKA students must demonstrate kata applications during their higher gradings.

Some Heian Shodan applications

Some Chinte applications

How to Practice Kata

When practicing your kata, start with a different kata every time.

The best way to do this is to print the names of the kata that you know onto cards and make these cards part of your normal training program. You can also use a pack of playing cards or number some pieces of card 1, 2, 3, 4 etc up to the number of kata you can perform. If you only know the first kata, that is fine, just keep practicing it while you learn another one.

Now shuffle the cards placing them face down in your training area and then turn them over one at a time and do the kata that corresponds to the name or number as it appears, e.g. 5 (Heian Godan), 2 (Heian Nidan), 6 (Tekki Shodan) and so on.

Another good way to train is to start each of your kata facing in a different direction and every so often during your practice. you should start a kata on a different angle. Both starting your kata facing different directions as well as occasionally starting them on angles is a good mental exercise as well as training you to be able to perform in different settings to what you are normally used to. You should still return to your original starting position irrespective of the direction you are facing or the angle you are on when starting your kata.

There are a number of benefits that directly relate to the practice of kata. Some of these benefits are:

1. Self defence lessons

2. Learning and remembering your kata

3. Reinforcing basics

4. Physical fitness

5. Improving your concentration and focus

6. Improving your coordination

7. Relaxation and enjoyment

When practicing kata your opponent must be real in your mind.

You must block his attacks strongly and you must destroy him with your counter attack. This is the only way to get true self defence value from kata.

Rote learning of kata teaches the pattern and the basic movements that are required to perform the kata. Continued repetition refines your techniques.

Kata is full of basic techniques. Applying basics in a self defensive situation needs to just happen. The only way it can “just happen” is to teach the subconscious what to do in times of stress. The only way to do that effectively is through repetition of the basic techniques.

To build cardio vascular fitness you only need to practice your kata. Practice kata, three hard with full speed and power and then one soft to catch your breath and relax. By performing the kata softly I mean performing the kata with little or no power but still performing the kata technically correct.

Concentration and focus is improved by your having to remember and correctly perform the kata. Only practice can achieve this.

Your coordination is improved by your brain having to continually make you use both sides of your body to perform intricate movements which become more and more complex with each kata we learn.

You should enjoy performing kata. Do not see the performance of a kata as a task so much, but rather an opportunity to immerse yourself in the deeper meaning of the kata from a meditation perspective. You become the kata and the kata becomes you in your performance.

You will get to a point in your pursuit of Karate-Do where you move beyond the physical in the performance of your kata. Seeing the beauty within the kata is a personal progression where mind and body become truly one, and the performance of the kata is art in itself.