Karate Kata Overview
by Owen Johnston
"A kata may be regarded as an integration of offensive and defensive techniques, but it is more than that. One should try to understand the spirit of the master karateka who created the kata, for it has a life of its own and requires five or six years to be mastered."- Hironori Ohtsuka, Wado-Ryu founderKata - "Formal movements"; in the context of Japanese martial arts, an "imaginary fight".Bunkai - Principles and application of kata.Kata:Wado-Ryu kata tend to use the Okinawan names. Also listed are the Japanese names that Wado-Ryu shares with Shotokan karate. I have also listed various other kata I am aware of.Kihon Kata Shodan / NidanBasic Forms 1 and 2Pinan (Heian) series: Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan, and Godan"Peaceful Mind” Numbers 1-5. Said to be created by Anko Itosu in 1905 or 1906, basing them on Kushanku, and a forgotten kata called Channan. There is some debate as to whether Kushanku was instead formulated from the Pinan series, however.Kushanku (Kanku Dai)"Sky Viewing". Said to be the most advanced of all Okinawan kata.Bassai"To Penetrate A Fortress". An Okinawan Tomari-te kata. It uses dynamic stances and hip rotation to find a way past attacks.Wanshu"Flying Swallow". A Tomari-te kata based on movements brought to Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese envoy of the same name.Naihanchi (Tekki Shodan)“Holding your ground”, “The Iron Horse”, or “Battlefield”. Named after naihanchi dachi, which the kata centers around. This kata was transmitted by Matsumura-sensei throughout Shuri and Tomari sometime before 1825.Jion“Temple Sounds” / “In the Jion-ji Shaolin Temple”. A Tomari-te kata, it is named after the Jion-Je, a Buddhist temple. This is a strong kata practiced in Shotokan and Wado.Jutte (Jitte)“Ten Hands”. It is said that anyone who masters this Tomari-te kata has the strength of 5 men. Sometimes practiced in Wado.Chinto (Gankaku)“Fighting to the East” / “Crane on a Rock”. Taken to Shuri province in Okinawa by a Chinese sailor of the same name, Chinto is based mostly on White Crane Kung-Fu. Ohtsuka-sensei knew a variation of this kata.Seishan (Hangetsu)“13 Hands”/“Crescent Moon”. Named after seishan dachi, it is based on movements brought from Fukien to Naha circa 1700. Ohtsuka-sensei also knew and taught this kata.Rohai (Meikyo)“Clear Mirror”, “The Mirror of the Soul”, or “White Heron”. This Tomari-te kata is practiced in Wado.Suparimpei (Pechurrin - Chinese name)“108 Steps” (represents the 108 evil spirits of man). Developed from a Chinese form used in systems including Dragon Boxing and Tiger Boxing. Practiced in Wado.Niseishi (Nijushiho)Transmitted by Ankichi Aragaki, variations of this Shuri-te kata exist in Shotokan, Shito, and Wado.Unsu“Defense of a Cloud” or “Cloud Hand”. This Tomari-te kata is practiced in Shotokan, Shito, and Wado.Sei Shi“24 Steps”. A Shorin-ryu kata performed in 3 directions - the points of a triangle.SeipaiVariations exist in Goju-ryu and Shito-ryu. It was influenced by White Crane Kung-Fu.AnnanA Shito-ryu kata that primarily uses open hand techniques. It also has a Goju variation. Annan has great versatility and speed in its self defense techniques.Useishi / Gojushiho Sho“54 steps” number one. A Shotokan kata.Gojushiho Dai“54 steps” number two. A Shotokan kata.Ji’inVariations exist in Shotokan, Shito
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