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 |
Heian katas were originally known by the Okinawan name of Pinan. Funakoshi changed the word
to the Japanese word for "peace and tranquility" - Heian. The name change was likely due to
the growing national spirit in Japan at that time, causing the change to the Japanese. The
original Pinan forms were developed by the Oinawan Master Yatsune Itosu(also known as Anko
Itosu) for the Okinawan School System. Itosu was one of Funakoshi's instructors and so
influenced him a great deal. Because Itosu considered most Kata too difficult for the school
curriculum, he developed five new forms. He called these new forms "Pinan" and introduced
them to his students at the rate of one per year. Itosu developed the Pinan forms from a pair
of different katas called "Kusanku" and "Channa". While the Kusanku kata is still practiced
in one form or another, Channa is lost to history.
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There are two forms of the Bassai kata: Bassai Dai (Bassai Major) and Bassai Sho(Bassai
Lesser) Bassai Dai was originally known as Passai Dai, but was generally known as
Matumura-no-passai. The original kata was developed by Bushi Matsumura, and was one of the
first katas taught to Anko Itosu. After years of practicing the kata, Itosu develpoed the
Passai Sho form which is seldom performed today.
The most common interpritation of the word Bassai is"to storm a fortress", although another
more descriptive interpretation is "to break through the enemies defences by shifting and
finding the weak points". This description looks at the variety of techniques utilised in
the kata . Although not a literal translation, this is ultimately the true meaning of the
kata.
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Kanku-Dai is on of the oldest forms practiced today. The original name for this kata was
"Kusanku"(sometimes pronounced Kushanku).Kusanku was a Chinese official and martial artist
stationed in Okinawa, staying for about 5 years. He taught karate to many people including
Tode Sakugawa. When Kusanku was transferred back to China, he left behind numerous students,
but only one official kata, which was eventually named after him. Kusanku ultimately became
known as Kanku Dai when Funakoshi introduced it to his Japanese Students. Kanku means " to
view the heavons", which describes the opening moves in the kata
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Empi was originally named "Wansu". Empi translates to "Flying Swallow" and is one of the
only forms left from the Okinawan Tomari-Te. The style of Tomari-Te, and most of it's katas
and techniques, were lost to history due to the secrecy of it's practitioners.
Wansu, the original name of the kata, was actually a Chinese official who arrived in Tomari
around 1683 during the reign of king Sho Tei. Wansu was highly adept at martial arts, and
this knowledge soon became known by the local population. Little is known about Wansu other
than he only taught a few students at a time. After a few years in Okinawa, Wansu returned
to China leaving behind a kata known as Wansu. Wansu was exclusivley practiced in Tomari up
untill 1865, when it spread to Naha and Shuri. Funakoshi altered the name of the kata to
Empi in order to describe the upword and downwards movements of the kata. These movements,
along with the quick shifting of stances, are similar to the movements of a flying swallow,
thus its name.
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Gankaku(crane on a rock) was originally known as Chinto, this kata was eventually called
Gankaku because of the one-legged stance which is predominate throughout the kata. Because
of its complexity, Gankaku is one of the most advanced katas in Shotokan as well as other
karate styles.
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Hangestsu(half moon) was originally known as Sesan. It has many crescent shaped techniques,
stances and stepping routines, which is why it was later renamed Hangetsu. It has Chinese
origins and a similar version is practiced by Naha-Te stylists.
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Tekki (Iron Horse) was originally referred to as the Naifanchi Kata. This series of Katas is
performed exclusivley in the Kiba Dachi (Horse Riding) stance. Naifanchi were originally the
basic kata for the Shurite Style. The originator of the first Tekki Kata is unknown, but it
is believed that the second and third forms were developed by Anko Itosu.
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Jion is the name of both a Buddhist Temple and a patron saint of Buddhism. The kata by the
same name is thought to have developed from a Chinese monk who learned his art in a temple,
The Jion form was very popular in Tomari and is one of the few katas that remain from the
Tomari karate style.
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Sochin, meaning "to keep the peace", evolved from Naha-Te, but its actual origin is in China.
Naha-Te master Ankichi Aragaki left Naha to introduce his style to martial artists in the
capital city of Shuri. By the time he returned, Goju-Ryu karate had become the most popular
style in Naha. This is a reason that Sochin was more popular in Shuri than it was in Naha.
The version of Sochin that was introduced to Japan was developed by Funakoshi and his Son.
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Gojushiho, originally known as Useshi, is considered the most advanced kata in Shotokan
Karate. It originated in China , but was fully developed by by the great Bushi Matsumura.
Some sources contend that Gojushiho is actually a modified form of an ancient royal dance.
There may be some truth to the belief, considering that many Okinawan experts used to disguise their kata by incorporating them into dances to avoid detection by the ruling forces.
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