Chilwell Olympia Karate School

 

Kata

At the heart of Karate-do lies the formal exercise, KATA.These are sequences of individual movements linked together in order to practice defensive and offensive techniques, employing the fundamental stances, blocks, strikes, punches and kicks against one or more imaginary opponent. Great emphasis is placed upon the perfection of every aspect of the exercise, including correct form, breathing, focus and balance.

The traditions of karate are practiced in the kata, which perfect the grace, consciousness, and power of the physical self and spirit. In ancient times, the kata were secret, taught only by word of mouth to the most trusted students. They were never written down and for this reason the origins are still shrouded in mystery. Shotokan Karate Kata's are steeped in tradition, and have great meaning and value. If they are performed differently they lose all authenticity, the become a dance. Hanshi Asano believes in maintaining these traditions and teaches them in their original form to ensure all Shotokan students can see for themselves the correct way to perform the katas and continue and deepen their knowledge and understanding of the art.

A number of the kata practiced today have their origin in China around the 16th Century. Others were developed in Okinawa and Japan more recently. The majorit of kata taught today are around 75-100 years old

Kata Practice is still considered an excellant training method for traditionalists and modernists alike. For the old Karate masters, kata was the primary method of practice, developing and honing their skills over a lifetime.

HEIAN Peaceful Mind
Shodan, Nidan, Sandan etc. - Kata 1, 2 3, etc.
BASSAI To penetrate a fortress
Sho=Minor ,Dai=Major
KANKU To look at the sky
Sho=Minor ,Dai=Major
EMPI Flying swallow
GANKAKU Crane on a rock
JITTE Ten hands
HANGETSU Half-moon
TEKKI Horse riding
Shodan=No1 ,Nidan=No2, Sandan=No3
JION Jion-ji is a famous Buddhist temple
SOCHIN Immovable in the face of danger
CHINTE Strange hands
JIIN Temple grounds
NIJUSHIHO Twenty four steps
MEIKYO Polished mirror
UNSU Hands in the cloud
WANKAN King's crown
GOJUSHIHO Fifty four steps
Sho=Minor ,Dai=Major

 

Page last updated April 4, 2010