Kata

Kata is a composition of basic and advanced techniques of various kinds of stances, postures, hand techniques, foot techniques and body movements of which include blocking and counter-attacking, escaping, avioding and entering. Kata are predetermined sequences of movements and techniques which have been handed down to the present day by the founders of the art,via their students. Before free-sparring was introduced as a training method, kata was the main activity done in the karate dojo. Most view kata as an important and valuable training method for improving balance, stance, fitness and general movement, as well as learning the individual techniques and their correct applications.

Kata should always be practiced with purpose and intent, the opponents in Kata fighting are numbered four or more. Kata should be practiced with good form, correct distance, proper timing, Zanshin, Kime (focus) with techniques directed to exact target areas.

There are 15 Katas generally practiced:

Pinan Nidan
Pinan Shodan
Pinan Sandan
Pinan Yodan
Pinan Godan
Kushanku
Naihanchi
Seishan
Chinto
Passai
Wanshu
Rohai
Neiseishi
Jitte
Jion

Pinan kata: created by Ankō Itosu, and consisting of Pinan Shodan (平安初段), Pinan Nidan (平安二段), Pinan Sandan (平安三段), Pinan Yondan (平安四段), and Pinan Godan (平安五段). Pinan means "peaceful mind". The name is taken to mean that once the five kata and their bunkai (application) are mastered, the karateka will be able to defend themselves adequately in most situations. Ohtsuka was taught these katas by Gichin Funakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni. Funakoshi renamed this series as the Heian series.

Kūsankū was the Okinawan name for Kwang Shang Fu, a Sapposhi (emissary of China's ruling class) sent to Okinawa in the 18th century. This kata uses stances and attacks comprising of the five previous Pinan kata. No new techniques are introduced.

Naihanchi (内畔戦; also known as Naifanchi): this was the original name for the three Tekki kata, but was changed by Funakoshi. The word "Naihanchi" is said to mean, amongst other things, "surreptitious steps" or "sideways fighting". This is a lateral kata learned from Chōki Motobu, who was apparently considered to be one of the most feared fighters in Okinawa.The kata contains grappling, throwing and striking vulnerable areas. Many masters regard the techniques of this kata to be amongst the most effective of them all. Wadō-ryū practices only the third Naihanchi kata.

Seishan : the name means "13 hands." This kata was named after a well-known Chinese martial artist who lived in or near Shuri c. 1700, and is considered to be the oldest of them all. The movements are repeated in sets of three, and has pivots and turning of the head. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Hangetsu.

Passai (披塞; also known as Bassai): a Tomari-te kata that uses dynamic stances and hip rotation. Passai means "to thrust asunder". This kata was one of the most popular katas in history and it is believed to have originated in China. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Bassai Dai.

Chinto : formulated by Matsumura Sōkon from the teachings of a sailor or pirate named Chinto (or Annan, depending on the source). Crane stance occurs many times, and the flying kicks differentiate Chinto from other kata. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Gankaku.

Rōhai : Rohai has three variation invented by Itosu. Wadō-ryū practices Rōhai Shodan. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Meikyo. Rohai translates as "vision of a white heron". The name of the kata reflects the large flowing arm movements contained in it that resemble the movement of a heron's wings.

Niseishi (二十四步): the name means "24 steps." Transmitted by Ankichi Aragaki, this kata is known in Japanese as Nijushiho. With the exception of the Pinan series, Neiseishi is the only kata in Wado-Ryu of Okinawan origin, with the remainder originating from China.

Wanshu : the name means "flying swallow." This is a Tomari-te kata based on movements brought to Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese envoy of the same name. The metaphorical name, "Flying Swallows," comes from the soft blocking sequences near the end of this kata. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Empi.

Jion : A Tomari-te kata; part of the Jion kata group. Jion means "Temple Sound". Jion was the name of a temple in China and it is believed that this kata was developed at the temple, or by someone associated with it. Jion contains striking, locking throwing and methods of trapping the opponent's limbs. It is a long physically demanding kata and consistent practise of Jion will develop a strong body.

Jitte (十手): another Tomari-te kata of the Jion kata group; the name means "10 hands." This is frequently taken to mean that if this kata is mastered it will give the karateka the power of five men. It is believed that this kata was developed by monks in China.

Suparinpei : known as "108 hands," representing the 108 evil spirits of man. This kata is also said to have represented a band of 108 warriors that travelled the Chinese countryside in the 1600s, performing 'Robin Hood'-type tasks of doing good deeds, giving to the poor, and so on. It is also known by its Chinese name of Pechurrin, and occasionally referred to as Haiku Hachi Ho (a name given by Funakoshi). Suparinpei was originally listed as a Wadō-ryū kata with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai by Hironori Ōtsuka, but he eventually discarded it. Some Wadō-ryū instructors and schools still teach this kata, though it was generally dropped in 1945.