Kata

Traditional karate was not created as a sport; It was devised as a way of developing the mind, body and spirit of the karateka. Karate spirit is built through the efforts of hard work and correct training in basics.

Sempai Robert's essay on meridian exercises within Nai Hanchi Kata

Sempai Angela's essay on the essence of Kata

Kata is the Japanese word meaning 'form' and consists of a series of movements, both offensive and defensive performed in a set sequence. Kata are the patterns of Karate. Basic technique has been arranged into analytical sequences which enable the Karateka to develop the capacity to make smooth and uninterrupted transitions from defense to offense without the need of a training partner. Kata offers so much to students by way of physical and mental training. Kata in essence is the heart of Karate-do. It is where the Karate-ka achieves and develops their skill. It allows the Karate-ka to develop balance; good posture and correct technique. It helps improve ones concentration, agility, co-ordination, focus, timing, footwork, correct breathing and most importantly awareness. Interpretation of the contents or sequence of techniques in Kata is known as BUNKAI or 'application'.

Karate-do is a battle with one self. By continually striving to improve and perfect the techniques in Kata, ones attitude and spirit are indirectly improved. Truly, the key to Karate-do lies within the practice of Kata and it is there for the taking. Tai Shi Kai Wado-Ryu has in it's syllabus sixteen Kata. In order the Kata are as follows:

1. Kihon Sugata	9. Seishan
2. Pinan Nidan	10. Chinto
3. Pinan Shodan	11. Bassai
4. Pinan Sandan	12. Jion
5. Pinan Yondan	13. Jette
6. Pinan Godan	14. Rohai
7. Ku Shan Ku	15. Ni Seishi
8. Nai Hanchi	16. Wanshu

The number of Kata you practice is not important. It's understanding the applications hidden within each Kata.

Kihon Sugata (basic form).

This Kata is an introductory Kata for beginners. It follows an easy ‘H’- shaped pattern returning the student to their original starting point upon completion. It consisted Junzuki and Gedan barai techniques performed in Junzuki dachi: although the same Kata can be performed using a variety of techniques. Used as a training Kata it allows the beginner student to move easily into the more intricate Pinan Katas.

Kihon Sugata Bunkai (Self Defence Applications)

Pinan Katas 1 through 5.

These five Katas are called Pinan (peaceful mind) and were formalized by Yasutsune Itosu (one of Funakoshi's teachers) between 1903 and 1906. Itosu dismantled advanced Shorin Kata to make a set suitable for teaching to the Okinawan school

children. Pinans called Heians (peace) in Shotokan become steadily more complicated as the student moves from one Kata to the next. In Tai Shi Kai Karate Pinan Nidan is taught be ore Shodan. The reason for this is that Nidan is easier for the student to learn in the wake of Kihon Sugata.

Pinan Shodan Bunkai (Self Defence Applications)

Ku Shan Ku.

Shan Kung, the military attache to Okinawa taught a series of techniques to Master Sakagawa in 1762. Sakagawa, also a student of Master Peichin eventually blended movements he learned from both instructors and in honor of Shan Kung named his

new Kata Ku Shan Ku (a look toward heaven). Eventually this Kata passed down to Master Itosu who in turn developed two more versions: Ku Shan Ku dai and Ku Shan Ku sho. Funakoshi eventually changed the names to Kan Ku dai and Kan Ku sho (a view to the sky).

Nai Hanchi.

The origin of this Kata (said to be over 200 years old) is unknown but Master Sakagawa taught it to Master Matsumora. Choko Motobu, a student of Matsumora popularized this Kata by performing it hundreds of times. Nai Hanchi uses highly

characteristic lateral movements importing techniques from Nai Hanchi Dachi. Originally a very long Kata, Nai Hanchi (for the ease of teaching) was divided into three parts. Most masters took the best of each part to form their own version of the

Kata. Translated, Nai Hanchi means -iron horse'. Shotokan's Funakoshi renamed it Tekki meaning -horse riding' and has three versions: Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan and Tekki Sandan.

Seishan.

Seishan Kata is one of the oldest Kata taught today. It bridges the gap between Shorei and Shonn Kata. It contains both the slow tense movements and semi circular stances which are characteristic of Shorei Kata together with the fast and hard snapping

techmques-ofthe Shorin system. Translated Seishan means 13 movements or 13 defenses. It was renamed Hangetsu (half-moon) in Japanese Shotokan.

Chinto.

The origin of this Kata is unknown. However, it was said to have been taught to Master Matsumora by a shipwrecked Chinese sailor during the 19th century. Based on a mixture of Chinese Kempo and southern Shaolin version of White Crane Kung fu it

includes several one legged stances characteristic' of the latter style. The Kata is known as Chinto (fighting toward the east) except in Shotokan where it is called Gankaku (crane on a rock).

Bassai.

The Kata Bassai exists as two versions within Shotokan Karate. The first is Passai Sho and the second Passai Dai. Wado Ryu dropped Passai Sho and now only practices Passai Dai under the original name of Bassai. Several other versions are taught in

Okinawan schools. Translated Bassai means 'to penetrate a fortress'.

Jion.

Little is known about this Kata. Passed down from master to master this Kata is named after the Buddhist temple Jion-je.

Jette (Jutte).

The name of this Shorei Kata means 'ten hands' from the claim that mastery of the Kata gives one the power of five men.

Rohai.

Also known as Lohai this Shorin Kata is characterized by its one legged stances.

Niseishi.

This Kata is also known as Niju Shiho. It incorporates a peculiar parry with the forearm and a pair of side kicks, which follow powerful grasping and pulling techniques.

Wanshu.

Wanshu is a very old Kata dating back to the 1600's. This Chinese Kata was taught to Master Peichin and was passed down from Karate master to Karate master eventually to Funakoshi who renamed it Enpi (flying swallow). Wanshu teaches a series of

testicular attacks in which they are first seized then torn off. It then defends against a staff-wielding opponent by grasping the staff with both hands and wrenching it away with a backward spinning jump. The name Wanshu (dumping form) comes from the

first movement in the Kata.

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