Kata
Kata are pre-arranged fighting patterns using a series of offensive and defensive techniques performed against an imaginary opponent or opponents.
Considered the formal exercise of traditional karate that continuously improves and develops a student’s technique, kata training requires intense concentration and focus, along with many hours devoted to their training. As the student advances in rank, they not only train by practicing the kata, but also start to study and develop different interpretations of the techniques that are beneficial to health. Since many kata techniques contain isotonic and isometric exercises, deep breathing exercises are one of the many reasons traditional karate still continues to flourish and attract people of all ages. Although we believe it is not how many katas you know, but rather how well you perform the katas you do know, new katas are still being taught to increase one’s knowledge.
| Kata Name | Meaning | Lineage |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Movements | ||
| Zenshinkotai | Advance in Turn | |
| H-Form #1 | Peaceful Mind | |
| H-Form #2 | Peaceful Mind | |
| H-Form #3 | Peaceful Mind | |
| H-Form #4 | Peaceful Mind | |
| Shihohai | Four Directions | |
| Gegasai | To Destroy | Goju ryu |
| Seisan | Crescent Moon | Shorei ryu |
| Niseishi | Twenty-four Movements | Shorei ryu |
| Rohaisho | Vision of White Crane | Shorin ryu |
| Rohaidai | Vision of White Crane | Shorin ryu |
| Sochin | The Grand Prize | Shorei ryu |
| Tenshin | Body Turning | |
| Mugen | Endless | Yoshukai |
| Bassai | To Penetrate a Fortress | Shorin ryu |
| Chinto | Fighting to the East | Shorin ryu |
| Kusanku | Chinese Military Attaché | Shorin ryu |
| Sanshiryu | Thirty-six Hands | Shorin & Shorei ryu |
| Ryusan | Three Dragons | |
| Sanchin | Three Conflicts | Shorei ryu |
| Seinchin | Lull Before the Storm | |
| Ananko | The Light From the South |