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.
Sensei 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 defence to offence 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'.
It is believed that all of todays kata have been created from 24 original kata which were practiced amongst the three Okinawan schools of Naha-te, Tomari-te and Shuri-te. Naha-te developed into Goju-Ryu while Shuri-te and Tomari-te merged to become Shorin-Ryu. It is from Shorin-Ryu that Shotokan karate and later, Wado-Ryu karate have developed.
Ohtsuka sensei started karate training under Gitchin Funakoshi (the
founder of Shotokan) who arrived in
Originally only nine kata were handed down by Ohtsuka but over time many more were added. Today Wado-Ryu has standardized these kata.The number of Kata you practice is not important. It's understanding the applications hidden within each Kata.
Tai Shi Kai Wado-Ryu has in it's syllabus sixteen Kata. The same kata may be known by a number of different names. Most will have the original Okinawan name and a corresponding Japanese name. Some will also have Chinese names. Most Wado-Ryu kata are called by their Okinawan name.
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 |
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 consists of 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.
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 Wado-Ryu Karate Pinan Nidan is taught before Shodan. The reason for this is that Nidan is easier for the student to learn in the wake of Kihon Sugata.
Ku Shan Ku.
Shan
Kung, the military attache to
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 Shorin 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 techniques of the Shorin system. Translated Seishan means 13 movements or 13 defences. 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 storm a fortress', to storm a castle, to penetrate a fortress.
Jion.
Little is known about this Kata. Jion is believed to be it’s original name. Passed down from master to master this Kata is believed to be connected to the Buddhist temple Jion-je in China due to it’s Chinese salutations at the commencement and ending of the kata.
Jitte
Also known as Jette or Jutte, the name of this Shorei Kata means “ten hands” or “ten techniques” from the claim that mastery of the Kata gives one the power of five men. Also practiced at the Jion je temple this kata was also known as “temple hands”.
Rohai.
Also known as Meikyo and Lohai this Shorin Kata means “clean mirror”, “cleaning a mirror” or ”mirror of the soul” and is characterized by its one legged stances.
Niseishi.
This Kata is also known as Niju Shiho and means 24 moves or 24 steps. 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 meaning (flying swallow, or flight of the 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.
KATA BUNKAI
(KATA INTERPRETATION)
Kihon Sugata Bunkai (Self Defence Applications)
Pinan Shodan Bunkai (Self Defence Applications)
Hidden within each kata are the fundamental self defence principles and techniques favoured and practiced by the master who first developed the kata. It is said that the peaceful katas (Pinan/Heian) were formalized by Yasutsune Itosu, one of Funikoshi’s teachers, between 1903 and 1906. Master Itosu dismantled advanced Shorin Ryu kata (eg. Ku Shan Ku) to create a set of katas suitable to be taught to Okinawan school children. It is said that if you can master the applications within the five peaceful katas then you have all of the self defence techniques required to enable one to defend themselves. These five kata have the answers to the interpretation of the bunkai in regard to attack and defence and yet many karate schools today ignore kata practice in favour of kumite. Competitive rivalry in the dojo in order to win trophies goes against the basic principles of karate. Karate-do was, and still is, a tool for developing ones character, to encourage humility and true gentleness. Most kata are very old and have a long history of being handed down through the years from teacher to student. As the karateka develops mastery of the kata so to should they develop an understanding of the Bunkai.
As the karateka gets more experience, he or she should endeavor to study and practice the applications based on the traditional movements and underlying principles of each kata they practice. These applications are not the only possible interpretations but show the basic principles and movements that allow the senior karateka to explore, and eventually build upon.