|
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. - Yoi no Kishin – the mental and physical preparation to an attack and also the concentration of will and spirit on an opponent;
- Hara – the internal assurance, calmness, quietness, the physical and spiritual stable attitude in the centre;
- Mushin – to create the due internal emptiness, which allows to react within a split-second to an attack;
- 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;
- In Yo – active and passive; the balanced harmony between defence and attack techniques;
- Chikarano Kyojaku – the right use of strength; the amount of strength which is needed for the optimal execution of every movement and stance;
- Waza no Kankyu – the right speed of the single movements (slow, fast);
- Tai no Shinshuku – the tension and relaxation of the muscles on every movement and stance; the Kime – the focus on the right moment;
- Kokyu – the right, sure and conscious breathing for every technique and stance;
- Tyakugan – the attack points; understanding, signification and effect of the applied techniques;
- Kiai – the combat shout at exactly the pre-defined places and on decisive techniques;
- 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) composed 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 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. That’s 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
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: 33
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: 35
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
Origin: Taiji Kase
Further development: Pavao Piacun
Movements: 87
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: 32
Duration: ca. 50 seconds
11. Fukyu Gata Nidan
Meaning: “To spread out”, second level
Origin: Chojun Miyagi
Further development: Chosin Chibana / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 31
Duration: ca. 50 seconds
12. Tekki (Naihanchi) Shodan
Meaning: “Iron rider”, first level
Origin: Ason (chinesischer Mönch)
Further development: Kanryo Higaonna / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura / Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 37
Duration: ca. 40 seconds
13. Tekki (Naihanchi) Nidan
Meaning: “Iron rider “, second level
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 35
Duration: ca. 40 seconds
14. Tekki (Naihanchi) Sandan
Meaning: “Iron rider “, third level
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Shoshin Nagamine / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 37
Duration: ca. 40 seconds
15. Passai
Meaning: “To assault the fortress”
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Kokan Oyadomari / Chotoku Kyan / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 58
Duration: ca. 80 seconds
16. 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
17. 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: 43
Duration: ca. 70 seconds
18. Kanku (Kushanku) 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
19. Kanku (Kushanku) 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: 57
Duration: ca. 70 seconds
20. Jion
Meaning: “Love and kindness”
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 58
Duration: ca. 70 seconds
21. Jion no Ichi
Meaning: “Love and kindness”, the first
Origin: Unknown
Further development: Pavao Piacun
Movements: 48
Duration: ca. 70 seconds
22. Jitte
Meaning: “Technique of love”
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 37
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
23. Ji’in
Meaning: “Love and shadow”
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 40
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
24. 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
25. Hangetsu
Meaning: “Half moon”
Origin: Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 45
Duration: ca. 70 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
27. Gankaku Sho
Meaning: “Crane on the rock”, “Sho” = the little
Origin: Hirokazu Kanazawa
Further development: Pavao Piacun
Movements: 28
Duration: ca. 50 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. 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: 40
Duration: ca. 70 seconds
30. Nijushiho (Niseishi)
Meaning: "Twenty-four techniques”, “Twenty-four steps”
Origin: Kosaku Matsumora
Further development: Ankichi Aragaki / Kenwa Mabuni / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 40
Duration: ca. 50 seconds
31. Meikyo (Rohai) Shodan
Meaning: “To clean the mirror”, “mirror of the soul”, first level
Origin: China / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 42
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
32. Meikyo Nidan
Meaning: “To clean the mirror”, “mirror of the soul”, second level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 57
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
33. Meikyo Sandan
Meaning: “To clean the mirror”, “mirror of the soul”, third level
Origin: Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 38
Duration: ca. 60 seconds
34. Wankan
Meaning: ”Wind in the pine tree”
Origin: China / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Kosaku Matsumora / Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 33
Duration: ca. 40 seconds
35. 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
36. Unsu
Meaning: “Hand in the clouds”
Origin: Kosaku Matsumora / Seisho Aragaki
Further development: Kanryo Higaonna / Ankichi Aragaki / Kenwa Mabuni / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 60
Duration: ca. 80 seconds
37. Gojushiho Dai
Meaning: “Fifty-four steps of the black tiger”, “Dai” = the large
Origin: China / Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura
Further development: Yasutsune Itosu / Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 72
Duration: ca. 100 seconds
38. 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: 71
Duration: ca. 100 seconds
39. 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
40. Sanchin
Meaning: “Three fights, three phases”: mind, body and technique
Origin: China / Kanryo Higaonna
Further development: Chojun Miyagi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 54
Duration: ca. 180 seconds
41. Seienchin
Meaning: “Calmness in the storm”
Origin: China / Kanryo Higaonna
Further development: Chojun Miyagi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 49
Duration: ca. 80 seconds
42. Sepai
Meaning: “The 18 hands of Lo Han”
Origin: China / Kanryo Higaonna
Further development: Chojun Miyagi / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 53
Duration: ca. 80 seconds
43. Wandan (Wanduan / Wando)
Meaning: “Way of the King”
Origin: China / Wanduan (Okinawian King)
Further development: Kitoku Sakiyama / Shigeru Nakamura / Pavao Piacun
Movements: 55
Duration: ca. 80 seconds
44. 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
45. Yuchinin
Meaning: Unknown
Origin: Kanryo Higaonna / Chojun Miyagi
Further development: Pavao Piacun
Movements: 56
Duration: ca. 120 seconds
46. Izumaki Sho
Meaning: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
Further development: Pavao Piacun
Movements: 37
Duration: ca. 55 seconds 47. 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:
48. Kitei
Meaning: Unknown
Origin: Kanryo Higaonna / Chojun Miyagi
Further development: Hidetaka Nishiyama
Movements: 54
Duration: ca. 80 seconds
49. Shotokan no Tekki Sandan
Meaning: “Iron rider“, third level, from Shotokan
Origin: Anko Azato / Yasutsune Itosu
Further development: Gigo Funakoshi
Movements: 40
Duration: ca. 40 seconds
50. Matsubayashi no Wansu
Meaning: “Flight of the swallow”, from Matsubayashi
Origin: Wansu (Chinese monk)
Further development: Kosaku Matsumora / Chotoku Kyan / Shoshin Nagamine
Movements: 28
Duration: ca. 50 seconds
|
Kata
