You may be asking yourself, what is kata? Kata has been described as simulated fighting, as one locked into mortal combat with a dangerous enemy, and one seeking perfection in their karate techniques. Kata is all of this and more. Kata is the heart and soul of Karate-Do. Without kata we are no better than street fighters with no history, lineage, or art to pass on to the next generation. Karate is alive and well today because of kata and the dedication of those that passed it along to their students. Kata was handed down from one generation of karateka to the next. In its history, karate training was forbidden by law and it was an executable offense if one was caught training in karate. Many karate masters risked their very lives as they trained in darkness and in secret so that Karate could continue.
Kata is the most difficult part of karate training. It requires a student to work on perfecting technique, power, kime, zanshin, kiai, embusen, breathing, and much more. In addition, each kata has bunkai which is the actual application of the kata fighting techniques. Many hours can be spent on learning the kata, bunkai and its defense and counter attack techniques. A kata that is well performed is a work of art and the student that understands and performs the bunkai well, understands the battle within the battle. For kata is not just a series of moves linked together, it is a series of battles won or lost by the karatekas understanding of the kata.
Shuri-te
Kata
Translation
Pinan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Way of Peace; literally "Great Peace", sometimes translated as "Calm Mind" or "Peaceful Mind".
Naifanchi 1, 2, 3
Iron Horse.
Chinte
Incredible hands.
Chinto
Crane on a Rock.
Wanshu
Flying Swallow.
Jiin
"Temple Ground". Named after the Saint.
Jitte
"Template Hands". Ten Hands.
Kushanku-Dai
Viewing the Sky (major version).
Kushanku-Sho
Viewing the Sky (minor version).
Shiho-Kushanku
Viewing the Sky (four directions).
Bassai-Dai
To penetrate (storm) a fortress (major version).
Bassai-Sho
To penetrate (storm) a fortress (minor version).
Gojushiho
54 Steps/Techniques.
Itosu Rohai 1, 2, 3
Mirror of the Soul/Clear Mirror.
Naha-te
Naha-te
Kata Name
Translation
# Kata created by Chojun Miyagi Sensei
* Not taught by Kenwa Mabuni Sensei, now used by many Shito-Ryu schools
Seisan
Half moon (Thirteen).
Sanchin
Three battles. The three generally accepted as being the body, mind and spirit.
Saifa
Tearing.
Sanseiru
Written in Chinese characters, is the number 36, and is also referred to as the Dragon Kata.
Shisochin
Four peaceful facing.
Seienchin
Marching far quietly or pulling.
Kururunfa
Forever stops, peaceful and tearing.
Seipai
Is the number 18.
Superinpei
The 108 hands.
Tensho*#
Flowing Hands.
Sochin
Preserve Peace.
Niseishi
24 Steps/Techniques.
Unsu
Hands of a Cloud.
Gekisai Dai-Ichi*#
Attack and Smash 1.
Gekisai Dai-Ni*#
Attack and Smash 2.
Tomari-te
Tomari-te
Kata Name
Translation
Wankan
Crown of a King.
Rohai
Mirror of the Soul/Clear Mirror or Sign of the White Heron.
Tomari Bassai
Other
Other
Kata Name
Translation
* Not taught by Kenwa Mabuni Sensei, now used by many Shito-Ryu schools.
** Kata created by Kenwa Mabuni Sensei.
*** White crane Kata Kung Fu Kata learned by Kenwa Mabuni Sensei from the Chinese
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I LOVE Genbu-Kai My boyfriend was a student there when we met and he got me into it! All of the instructors are understanding and friendly! Sensei Moore is great at explaining techniques and terminology so that the whole class understands it and all of the Senpais are well equipped to train all of the rest of us karate-ka.