Kata

The name Kata is a Japanese term translated as simply meaning form or shape. Shotokan kata are sequences of basic, intermediate and advanced techniques arranged into patterns of choreographed movements. Kata are executed alone with the student encouraged to visualize the attacks of an invisible enemy or multiple attackers whilst maintaining perfect form.

Each kata has its own character. Some kata are strong and powerful whereas others are far more graceful and flowing in their nature. Some kata however, contain a mixture of both and each has its own unique timing. The 26 officially recognised Shotokan kata are all individually named and given their own personality. In some cases, the source of the name is obvious. In others, the name of the kata can only be surmised from the kanji that their identity was originally written in.

The Heian Kata

On the island of Okinawa, this group of kata were originally called the 'Pinan' kata. The name Heian was given to them by Sensei Gichin Funokoshi and is most commonly interpreted as meaning 'Peaceful Mind'. The Heian kata are named in a fashion that indicates their level of difficulty, i.e. one to five. With the exception of the Tekki kata, the other Shotokan kata are not named with such a numerical identity.

The Tekki Kata

This group of three kata were originally called the Naihanchi kata. Once again this name was replaced by Funokoshi Sensei to that of Tekki. The name Tekki is taken from the character 'Tetsu' meaning iron or steel and 'Ki' meaning to ride a horse or simply knight. One possible translation of the name Tekki is 'Iron Knight'. The Tekki series are easily identified as they are the only kata performed along a straight line and exclusively in Kiba-Dachi.

The use of Dai and Sho in Kata

The Japanese kanji (characters) for Dai and Sho simply translate as 'Big/Greater' and 'Small/Lesser'. Despite a common misconception, Dai kata are not anymore or any less advanced than their Sho versions. Despite the translation, the Gojushiho kata are reversed. The 'Dai' version of these two kata is actually shorter than that of 'Sho'.

Oyo Bunkai (Kata Application)

Oyo Bunkai is performed with training partners and allows a karate-ka to breakdown and understand the application and interpretation for the movements within each kata. Kata application can be obvious or elusive depending on the technique or grouping of techniques in question and can even contain more subtle, hidden variations. Without an understanding of the Oyo Bunkai for each kata, they become nothing more than the forming of shapes and an empty aerobic movement.

Basic Kata Terminology

Zanshin - A state of awareness. The literal translation is 'remaining mind'
Shizentai - Natural posture
Rei - Bow (performed silently)
Yoi - Ready position
Yame - Return to Yoi position
Naore - Return to 'shizentai' maintaining a state of 'zanshin'
Embusen - The invisible line on which kata is performed
Kiai - Meaning 'concentrated spirit'. A point in kata where the Karate-ka displays a vocal release of energy

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