Shito-Ryu Katas

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.