Dartford Shotokan Karate Centre

Kata
The name ‘Kata’ is a Japanese term translated as simply meaning form or shape. Shotokan kata are sequences of basic, intermediate and advanced techniques arranged into patterns of choreographed movements. Kata are generally executed alone with the practitioner encouraged to visualise the attacks of an invisible enemy or multiple attackers whilst maintaining perfect form.

Each kata has its own character. Some kata are strong and powerful whereas others are far more graceful and flowing in their nature. Some kata however, contain a mixture of both and each kata has its own unique timing. The 26 officially recognised Shotokan kata are all individually named and given their own personality. In some cases, the source of the name is obvious. In others, the name of the kata can only be surmised from the kanji that their identity was originally written in

The Heian Kata
On the island of Okinawa, this group of kata were originally called the 'Pinan' kata. The name Heian was given to them by Sensei Gichin Funokoshi and is most commonly interpreted as meaning 'Peaceful Mind'. The Heian kata are named in a fashion that indicates their level of difficulty, i.e. one to five. With the exception of the Tekki kata, the other Shotokan kata are not named with such a numerical identity.

The Tekki Kata
This group of three kata were originally called the Naihanchi kata. Once again this name was replaced by Funokoshi Sensei to that of Tekki. The name Tekki is taken from the character 'Tetsu' meaning iron or steel and 'Ki' meaning to ride a horse or simply knight. One possible translation of the name Tekki is 'Iron Knight'. The Tekki series are easily identified as they are the only kata performed along a straight line and exclusively in Kiba-Dachi. At Dartford SKC, and in keeping with Enoeda Sensei’s teachings, we practice two versions of Tekki Sandan.

The use of Dai and Sho in Kata
The Japanese kanji (characters) for Dai and Sho simply translate as 'Big/Greater' and 'Small/Lesser'. Despite a common misconception, Dai kata are not anymore or any less advanced than their Sho versions. Despite the translation, the Gojushiho kata are reversed. The 'Dai' version of these two kata is actually shorter than that of 'Sho'.

Oyo Bunkai (Kata Application)
Oyo Bunkai is performed with training partners and allows a karate-ka to breakdown and understand the application and interpretation for the movements within each kata. Kata application can be obvious or elusive depending on the technique or grouping of techniques in question and can even contain more subtle, hidden variations. Without an understanding of the Oyo Bunkai for each kata, they become nothing more than the forming of shapes and an empty aerobic movement.

Basic Kata Terminology
Zanshin – A state of awareness. The literal translation is ‘remaining mind’
Shizentai – Natural posture
Rei – Bow (performed silently)
Yoi - Ready position
Yasume - Return to Yoi position
Naore – Return to ‘shizentai’ maintaining a state of ‘zanshin’
Embusen - The invisible line on which kata is performed
Kiai - Meaning ‘concentrated spirit’. A point in kata where the Karate-ka displays a vocal release of energy

Kata Videos
Below you will find a list of the 26 Shotokan kata. By clicking on the English or Japanese name for each kata you will be able to watch it performed by one of the former JKA masters. Please note that these videos are not hosted by Dartford SKC, but are simply linked to via YouTube.

	Taikyoku (First Cause) also known as Kihon 20 movements, Kiai on movements 8 and 16 Note: Introduced for beginners as a somewhat simplified version of Heian Shodan. Taikyoku is now mainly referred to as 'Kihon' and is used for 9th Kyu gradings as a "stepping-stone" to Heian Shodan.

	Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind - Level 1) 21 movements, Kiai on movements 9 and 17
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	Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind - Level 2) 26 movements, Kiai on movements 11 and 26

	Heian Sandan (Peaceful Mind - Level 3) 20 movements, Kiai on movements 10 and 20

	Heian Yondan (Peaceful Mind - Level 4) 27 movements, Kiai on movements 13 and 25

	Heian Godan (Peaceful Mind - Level 5) 23 movements, Kiai on movements 12 and 19

	Tekki Shodan (Iron Knight - Level 1) 29 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 29

	Tekki Nidan (Iron Knight - Level 2) 24 movements, Kiai on movements 16 and 24

	Tekki Sandan (Iron Knight - Level 3) 36 movements, Kiai on movements 16 and 36

Bassai Dai (To penetrate a fortress)
42 movements, Kiai on movements 19 and 42

Note: On Okinawa, the 'Bassai' kata were known as 'Passai'

Kanku Dai (To view the sky)
65 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 65

Note: When an intermediate student of Shotokan Kata views Kanku-Dai for the first time, there is always a sense of strong familiarity. This is because the Kata is made up primarily of techniques and combinations which appear in each of the 5 Heian Kata. It is widely believed that the Heian Kata were in fact each a small excerpt of Kanku-Dai, broken up to make learning this Kata easier for students. Whether this is true or not is not important, however it is true to say that once a student has a reasonable working knowledge of the 5 Heian Kata, Kanku-Dai is far easier to learn.

Jion (Named after the temple Jion-Ji)
47 movements, Kiai on movements 17 and 47

Note: This is the classic "mainstream" Shaolin Kata, complete with the "Ming" salute at the beginning. Shaolin was also named Jion-Ji by the Japanese but the literal translation of the Kanji is "to love the sound" (of Shaolin).

Enpi (Flight of the swallow)
37 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 36

Note: A classic white crane style Kata brought to Okinawa in 1644 by Military Attaché Master Wang-Shu. The Kata was named after him hence its Okinawan name of "Wanshu". This translates to 'excellent or incredible arms'

Jitte (Ten Hands)
24 movements, Kiai on movements 13 and 24

Note: Also known as 'Jutte', If you master this Kata, your enemies will feel as though you have ten hands.

Hangetsu (Half Moon)
41 movements, Kiai on movements 11 and 40

Note: This is a Wutang Kata that originated through Master Itosu's training in Na-Ha-te from Master Higaonna. It is named after the third Chinese Zen Patriarch but the name Hangetsu, given to it by Master Funakoshi, means 'half or crescent moon' - a description of the dominant stance used in the Kata.

Gankaku (Crane standing upon a rock)
42 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 42

Note: A White Crane form, this time taught by Master Ching-To, attaché to Okinawa from the Ming court in 1732, and so the Okinawans named it in his honour "Chinto". Master Funakoshi later renamed it Gankaku.

Bassai Sho (To penetrate a fortress- small)
27 movements, Kiai on movements 17 and22

Note: We are taught that Bassai-Dai symbolises the storming of a fortress and that Bassai-Sho symbolises the fight to capture the enemy

Kanku Sho (To view the sky - small)
47 movements, Kiai on movements 6 and 47

Note: The Kanku Kata were taught to the Okinawans by Master Kwang Shang Fu - Military Attaché to Okinawa in 1724. The Okinawan way of saying his name is Kushanku and this was the Okinawan name for these Kata. Master Funakoshi changed the name to Kanku which means "to view the sky".

Chinte (Incredible Hands)
32 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 32

Note: One of the older kata, with a yoi position that betrays its Wutang origin. The name has also been translated as meaning "to restore calm" or "to establish peace".

	Sochin (Energetic Calm) 40 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 40 Note: This kata was unsuccessfully renamed Hakko (Eight Storms) by Master Funakoshi. It is not known why some of Master Funokoshi's new kata names didn't succeed whilst others remain to this day.

Nijushiho (24 Steps)
33 movements, Kiai on movements 18 and 32

Note: This kata is thought to have its origins in one of the Dragon sub-styles. The form they are taken from is called 'Kaisan' and the old name was 'Neseishi'.

	Meikyo (Bright Mirror) 33 movements, Kiai on movement 32 Note: This kata is sometimes referred to by the name 'Rohai'. It is believed that Meikyo is taken from one of four Rohai kata practised in Okinawa.

	Gojushiho Dai (54 Steps - Big) 62 movements, Kiai on movements 54 and 6 Note: This kata was unsuccessfully renamed Hotaku, which is the Japanese name for `woodpecker'. This was due to the likeness of the action of a woodpecker tapping its beak against a tree

Gojushiho Sho (54 Steps – Small)
65 movements, Kiai on movements 57 and 64

Note: The 'Gojushiho' kata have their origin in a Southern Shaolin Style called "Phoenix Eye". The form they are taken from is called "Kaisan" and their Okinawan name was "Useishi".

Unsu (Hands in the clouds)
48 movements, Kiai on movements 38 and 48

Note: The name used on Okinawa was "Unshou" and meant "cloud defence" - alleging that even if your enemies surround you like a cloud, you will surely defeat them if you master Unsu.

Wankan (Kings Crown)
25 movements, Kiai on movement 25

Note: The old name was 'Wanduan' and the name translated to "sword arm". To the layman, Wankan appears to be a simple Kata to perform, mainly due to the short length and few movements. The truth is that the Kata is full of technical subtleties that make it far more difficult to perform than would first appear.

	Ji'in (Named after the temple grounds of Jion-Ji) 35 movements, Kiai on movements 11 and 35 Note: This kata was unsuccessfully renamed 'Shokyo' (Pine Shadow) by Master Funakoshi. Another Shaolin Classic with all of the above relating to 'Jion' applying here too. The name translates to "love of truth".

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