Kata

Kata (jap. Form) is the highest art of Karate Do. In Kata, all the in Kihon learned stances, as
well as defence, strike, blow, kick, movement and jump techniques, are practiced, like in
Ippon Kumite
, in an exactly defined sequel, but against an imaginary opponent. Many
Kata
came in its original form from China to Okinawa, but were also developed there from masters,
especially at the time when the practice of martial arts was generally forbidden, in order to allow
the practice of these techniques hidden in a kind of dance.

So some Kata really remind a dance, Kata whose focus lie on agility, dynamics and speed.
Other Kata were developed for the practice of the
use of strength, as well as the interaction of tension and relaxation, the pronounced
employment of the hips, breathing techniques and else more.

Every Kata follows an exactly defined, choreographic motion sequence or way, a ground line or
step diagram, the so-called Embusen. It always begins with both a bow (salutation,
Rei
) and a defence technique in order to emphasize the principally defensive attitude of
Karate Do
according to the proper sense of
Karate ni sente nashi
(there is no first attack in
Karate
) and always ends again with a bow (salutation,
Rei
).

Performing a Kata, twelve factors are to be taken into consideration. From these factors
depends the beauty and the charisma of the Kata, as well as the applicability
of the shown techniques.

1. Yoi no Kishin the mental and physical preparation to an attack and also the
concentration of will and spirit on an opponent;
2. Hara the internal assurance, calmness, quietness, the physical and spiritual stable
attitude in the centre;
3. Mushin to create the due internal emptiness, which allows to react within a split-second
to an attack;
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Kata
4. Zanshin the mental attitude, tension, attention and vigilance, the initiative, the fighting
spirit and the combat readiness; commanding and controlling permanently his own technique
without being aggressive, though;
5. In Yo active and passive; the balanced harmony between defence and attack
techniques;
6. Chikarano Kyojaku the right use of strength; the amount of strength which is needed for
the optimal execution of every movement and stance;
7. Waza no Kankyu the right speed of the single movements (slow, fast);
8. Tai no Shinshuku the tension and relaxation of the muscles on every movement and
stance; the Kime the focus on the right moment;
9. Kokyu the right, sure and conscious breathing for every technique and stance;
10. Tyakugan the attack points; understanding, signification and effect of the applied
techniques;
11. Kiai the combat shout at exactly the pre-defined places and on decisive techniques;
12. Keitai no Hoji correct execution of the Kata with regard to the step diagram (Embusen)
.


All the above mentioned points are not to be regarded individually, but are inextricably linked
together.

For the internalisation and the better understanding of the Kata and the therein applied
techniques, it is recommended to practice regularly as follows:

- Execution of the Kata mirror-inverted (Ura), backwards (Ushiro) or with sidestep (Okuri
Ashi )
backwards (
Go
), especially because certain techniques are being executed only single-sided.

- Bunkai analysis, interpretation and application of the techniques in the practical example
with partners.
- Kakushi discovery of within the Kata hidden techniques; so is, e.g., the first technique of
the Kata Taikyoku Shodan (Gedan Barai) compose
d of four possible single arm/fist techniques: to strike out for
Gedan Barai
contains two techniques: 1. left fist
Jodan Nagashi Uke
; 2. right fist
Chudan Tsuki
; the third technique is the proper
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Kata
Gedan Barai
with the left arm and the fourth
Ushiro Empi Uchi
with the right arm.


Please note:
Kata is the highest step in the art of Karate Do. A Kata should be practised so long, until the
techniques are not being executed wittingly but unwittingly without thinking. However, this is
only possible, when a high degree of comprehension for the applied techniques exists as well
as a distinctive knowledge about its significance and effect. Thats why a
Karateka
, which masters
Kata
at a high level, is also (almost) always a good fighter, but not vice-versa, though. Therefore the
resolution: Without
Kihon
no
Kata
, without
Kata
no
Kumite
.

In Shisui Ryu Karate Do the following Kata are practised:

1. Taikyoku Shodan
Meaning: Basic ultimate or also Kata of the universe, first level
Origin: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 21
Duration: ca. 30 seconds
2. Taikyoku Nidan
Meaning: Basic ultimate or also Kata of the universe, second level
Origin: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 21
Duration: ca. 30 seconds
3. Taikyoku Sandan
Meaning: Basic ultimate or also Kata of the universe, third level
Origin: Gigo Funakoshi
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Kata
Movements: 21
Duration: ca. 30 seconds
4. Heian Shodan
Meaning: Heian is the short form for Heiwa-Antei and means as much as freedom,
calmness, peaceful mind, first level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gichin Funakoshi / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 23
Duration: ca. 30 seconds
5. Heian Nidan
Meaning: Heian is the short form for Heiwa-Antei and means as much as freedom,
calmness, peaceful mind, second level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gichin Funakoshi / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 31
Duration: ca. 30 seconds
6. Heian Sandan
Meaning: Heian is the short form for Heiwa-Antei and means as much as freedom,
calmness, peaceful mind, third level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gichin Funakoshi / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 27
Duration: ca. 30 seconds
7. Heian Yondan
Meaning: Heian is the short form for Heiwa-Antei and means as much as freedom,
calmness, peaceful mind, forth level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gichin Funakoshi / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 31
Duration: ca. 40 seconds
8. Heian Godan
Meaning: Heian is the short form for Heiwa-Antei and means as much as freedom,
calmness, peaceful mind, fifth level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gichin Funakoshi / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 29
Duration: ca. 40 seconds
9. Heian Oyo
Meaning: Heian is the short form for Heiwa-Antei and means as much as freedom,
calmness, peaceful spirit, Oyo stands for different, modified form
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Kata
Origin: Taiji Kase
Further development: Pavao Piacun
Movements: 82
Duration: ca. 100 seconds
10. Fukyu Gata Shodan
Meaning: To spread out, first level
Origin: Chojun Miyagi
Further development: Chosin Chibana / Shoshin Nagamine / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 30
Duration: ca. 50 seconds
11. Fukyu Gata Nidan
Meaning: To spread out, second level
Origin: Chojun Miyagi
Further development: Chosin Chibana / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 29
Duration: ca. 50 seconds
12. Tekki Shodan
Meaning: Iron rider, first level
Origin: Ason (chinesischer Mnch)
Further development: Kanryo Higaonna / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura / Anko Azato / Yasutsune
Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 37
Duration: ca. 40 seconds

13. Bassai Dai
Meaning: To assault the fortress; with a strong mind and concentrated power it is possible to
achieve a victory out from a hopeless situation, Dai = the large
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 59
Duration: ca. 70 seconds

14. Kanku Dai
Meaning: To behold the sky (the void), Dai = the large
Origin: Kushanku / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 77
Duration: ca. 90 seconds
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Kata

15. Jion
Meaning: Love and kindness
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 54
Duration: ca. 70 seconds

16. Empi
Meaning: Flight of the swallow
Origin: Wansu (Chinese monk) / Kosaku Matsumora
Further development: Ankichi Aragaki / Kenwa Mabuni / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 51
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
17. Hangetsu
Meaning: Half moon
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 47
Duration: ca. 70 seconds

18. Ananku
Meaning: Light and peace from the south
Origin: From Taiwan, name unknown
Further development: Chotoku Kyan / Shoshin Nagamine / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 28
Duration: ca. 50 seconds

19. Izumaki Sho
Meaning:
Origin: Pavao Piacun
Further development:
Movements: 37
Duration: ca. 55 seconds

20. Jion no Ichi
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Kata
Meaning: Love and kindness, the first
Origin: Pavao Piacun
Further development:
Movements: 48
Duration: ca. 70 seconds

21. Shisui no Wankan
Meaning: Wind in the pine tree, from Shisui
Origin: Kosaku Matsumora
Further development: Shoshin Nagamine / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 40
Duration: ca. 50 seconds

22. Wansu
Meaning: Flight of the swallow
Origin: Wansu (Chinese monk)
Further development: Kosaku Matsumora / Chotoku Kyan / Shoshin Nagamine / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 29
Duration: ca. 50 seconds
23. Tekki Nidan
Meaning: Iron rider , second level
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 35
Duration: ca. 40 seconds

24. Bassai Sho
Meaning: To assault the fortress; in calmness internal force is reflected, Sho = the little
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 47
Duration: ca. 70 seconds
25. Kanku Sho
Meaning: To behold the sky (the void), Sho = the little
Origin: Kushanku / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 55
Duration: ca. 70 seconds
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Kata
26. Jitte
Meaning: Technique of love
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 37
Duration: ca. 60 seconds

26. Gankaku
Meaning: Crane on the rock
Origin: Chinto (Chinese monk)
Further development: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura / Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo
Funakoshi
Movements: 47
Duration: ca. 80 seconds

28. Sochin
Meaning: Power and calmness, to keep the peace, to move in battle
Origin: Seisho Aragaki
Further development: Kanryo Higaonna / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 41
Duration: ca. 60 seconds

29. Shisui no Passai
Meaning: To assault the fortress
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Kokan Oyadomari / Chotoku Kyan / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 60
Duration: ca. 80 seconds

30. Gankaku Sho
Meaning: Crane on the rock, Sho = the little
Origin: Pavao Piacun
Further development:
Movements: 28
Duration: ca. 50 seconds

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Kata
31. Sanchin
Meaning: Three fights, three phases: mind, body and technique
Origin: China / Kanryo Higaonna
Further development: Chojun Miyagi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 58
Duration: ca. 180 seconds
32. Seienchin
Meaning: Calmness in the storm
Origin: China / Kanryo Higaonna
Further development: Chojun Miyagi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 51
Duration: ca. 80 seconds

33. Yuchinin
Meaning:
Origin: Pavao Piacun
Further development:
Movements: 54
Duration: ca. 120 seconds
34. Tekki Sandan
Meaning: Iron rider , third level
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Shoshin Nagamine / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 39
Duration: ca. 40 seconds

35. Chinte
Meaning: Calm but defeating hand, begins with calmness, becomes powerful and ends with
peace of mind
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 41
Duration: ca. 70 seconds
36. Jiin
Meaning: Love and shadow
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 38
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
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Kata
37. Nijushiho
Meaning: "Twenty-four techniques, Twenty-four steps
Origin: Kosaku Matsumora
Further development: Ankichi Aragaki / Kenwa Mabuni / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 38
Duration: ca. 50 seconds
38. Meikyo Shodan
Meaning: To clean the mirror, mirror of the soul, first level
Origin: China / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 38
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
39. Meikyo Nidan
Meaning: To clean the mirror, mirror of the soul, second level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 55
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
40. Meikyo Sandan
Meaning: To clean the mirror, mirror of the soul, third level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 37
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
41. Wankan
Meaning: Wind in the pine tree
Origin: China / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Kosaku Matsumora / Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 31
Duration: ca. 40 seconds
42. Unsu
Meaning: Hand in the clouds
Origin: Kosaku Matsumora / Seisho Aragaki
Further development: Kanryo Higaonna / Ankichi Aragaki / Kenwa Mabuni / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 63
Duration: ca. 80 seconds
43. Gojushiho Dai
Meaning: Fifty-four steps of the black tiger, Dai = the large
Origin: China / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
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Kata
Movements: 72
Duration: ca. 100 seconds
44. Gojushiho Sho
Meaning: Fifty-four steps of the black tiger, Sho = the little
Origin: China / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 75
Duration: ca. 100 seconds
45. Sepai
Meaning: The 18 hands of Lo Han
Origin: China / Kanryo Higaonna
Further development: Chojun Miyagi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 53
Duration: ca. 80 seconds
46. Wandan
Meaning: Way of the King
Origin: China / Wanduan (Okinawian King)
Further development: Kitoku Sakiyama / Shigeru Nakamura / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 61
Duration: ca. 80 seconds

47. Saifa
Meaning:
Origin:
Further development: Pavao Piacun
Movements: 44
Duration: ca. 50 seconds

48. Ten No Kata (Omote/Ura)
Meaning: Form (Kata) of the heaven
Origin: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 52
Duration: ca. 60 seconds

Other Kata practised by myself:

49. Shotokan no Tekki Sandan
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Kata
Meaning: Iron rider, third level, from Shotokan
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 40Duration: ca. 40 seconds

50. Kitei
Meaning: Unknown
Origin: Kanryo Higaonna / Chojun Miyagi
Further development: Hidetaka Nishiyama
Movements: 54
Duration: ca. 80 seconds

51. Junro Shodan
Meaning: The route, first level
Origin: Tetsuhiko Asai
Further development:
Movements: 42
Duration: ca. 40 seconds

52. Junro Nidan
Meaning: The route, second level
Origin: Tetsuhiko Asai
Further development:
Movements: 38
Duration: ca. 40 seconds

53. Junro Sandan
Meaning: The route, third level
Origin: Tetsuhiko Asai
Further development:
Movements: 49
Duration: ca. 40 seconds

54. Junro Yondan
Meaning: The route, forth level
Origin: Tetsuhiko Asai
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Kata
Further development:
Movements: 51
Duration: ca. 50 seconds

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