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Shotokan Katas |
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Shotokan Katas |
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The following katas are practiced in Shotokan:
Heian or Pinan Katas (Way of Peace or Great Peace sometimes translated as Calm Mind or Peaceful Mind)
The Pinan katas were originally developed by master Itosu in 1905. They are a group of five katas which encompass the most important principles of movement in Shorin-Ryu. Master Itosu did not invent them though, since they are based on much older training forms, called Channan, which had their origin in China. Elements of the five Heian kata also resemble parts of the kata Kanku Dai and Bassai Dai and it is possible that Sensei Itosu created them from these, since they would have been too difficult to teach to beginners.
Master Funakoshi renamed them to Heian (which means peace). There are two possible reasons why these katas carry this name. The first is that every one starts with a block and they therefore show a nonaggressive nature. The second is that Master Itosu omitted all techniques that focus on vital points of the body from the katas, with the intent that the katas be practiced more for strengthening and stamina. All five katas build upon each other with a progressively wider variation of techniques and stances.
Tekki Shodan (Iron Horse)
This is the first higher kata taught in Shotokan Karate. The original form of this kata encompassed more than 100 movements which were split into three katas (Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan, and Tekki Sandan) by master Itosu. The kata differs from the others practiced in Shotokan through its breathing techniques and stances. The modern version refrains movement to one parallel line. This is the first kata I was taught when I studied Kenbu-Ryu.
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First Group of Black Belt Katas
Bassai-Dai (To penetrate or storm a fortress (dai
= major/greater version))
Bassai-dai was originally known as passai-dai,
but was more commonly referred to as Matsumura-no-passai. The original
passai form was developed by Bushi (Sokon) Matsumura, and was one of the
first kata taught to Anko Itosu.
This is a very typical Shotokan kata and is not
practiced in many other styles. Jion is a very old kata and is believed to
have its origins in China.
This Kata is sometimes also named after the Chinese
martial artist Sappushi
Wanshu. He came to Okinawa in 1683 and taught this kata in the area of Tomari.
From there it probably found its way through Matsumura into the Itosu
school and was taught to Gichin Funakoshi.
It is believed that this kata was either brought to Okinawa by the Chinese
diplomat Kung Siang Chung or developed by his student Sakugawa and named in
his honor. The Okinawans pronounce the three kanji characters that make up
Kung Siang Chung's name as Ku Shan Ku.
This Kata has Chinese origins with a similar version being practiced by
students of the Naha-Te school.
Second Group of Black Belt Katas
For information on the Tekki Katas see the entry
under Tekki Shodan.
Jitte (Ten Hands)
This kata originated in the Tomari region of
Okinawa and came through Shuri-Te to Shotokan. Interpreting the name
to mean ten hands started when the kata came to Japan. The literal
translation of "Ji" is "love" which would make the meaning of the name
"hands of mercy".
Gangaku (Crane on a Rock)
The old name for this kata is Chinto. The kata
originated in China and its stances are indicative of a relationship with
the crane styles of Shaolin. The version practiced in Shotokan today
originated in the Tomari-Te school, from which master Itosu took the kata.
The Sochin kata practiced in Shotokan derives from
the original Okinawan Sochin kata of Okinawan Shito-Ryu. The kata was adapted
from this original by Funakoshi or his son Yoshitaka.
Nijushiho (24
Steps or 24 Directions)
A virtually identical kata by the name of
Niseishi is practiced in Shito-Ryu and it is believed that the version
practiced in Shotokan descended from this school.
Chinte (Incredible
Hands)
This kata is of Chinese origin, but when it was
brought to Okinawa and by whom is not known. It is believed however, that
the the kata was known only in the area of Shuri and not in the area of
Tomari. The kata was practiced in the Matsumura school and it was here
that Itosu, as well as Funakoshi and Chibana Chosin, the founder of
Kobayashi-Ryu, learned it. The kata is therefore practiced in Shotokan-Ryu
as well as in Shito- and Kobayashi-Ryu.
Third Group of Black Belt Katas
Tekki Sandan (Iron Horse)
For information on the Tekki Katas see the entry
under Tekki Shodan.
Itoso Yasutsune is believed to have created this
kata in the late 1800's. Although its framework is similar to that of the
Bassai-Dai, it is not sure whether the Bassai-Sho was derived from this
kata or from another version of Bassai practiced in Shuri-Te (Shorin-Ryu).
Okinawa knows many versions of the Bassai kata, originally called Passai,
and therefore it cannot be sure from which one Bassai-Sho was developed.
Kanku-Sho (Viewing the Sky (dai = minor/lesser version))
This kata is believed to have been developed by
Itosu since it also contains the double armed punch, thrown from the side
out of the horse riding stance, which is seen as a trademark for Itosu's
works.
Jiin (Temple Ground or
Mercy and Kindness)
The Jiin can be viewed as a
little Jion since it is half as long with the same movements. Although
shorter this compression makes the kata more complex to learn and master.
In Okinawa this Kata is known as Rohai and is
practiced in three versions (Shodan, Nidan und Sandan). The history of
this old Kata is not known, but it is believed that the kata has its roots
in the Tomari area.
This is a short and very old kata whose exact
origins are unknown. The kata can be defined as stemming from Tomari-Ryu.
Unsu (Cloud Hands or Hands in the Clouds)
This is probably Shotokan's showiest and flashiest katas, often performed
as the kata of choice in tournaments. The Shotokan Unsu is believed to
have been derived from the kata Unshu practiced in Shito-Ryu. They are
technically very close, although the Unshu does not contain the jump nor
the fast rhythm of the Unsu.
This kata was derived from the Gojushio-Dai kata
bei Itosu. Not in keeping with the traditional sho - dai pairing where the
sho kata is the shorter and more complex kata, the Gojushio-Sho is the
longer and less complex of the two Gojushio katas.
Gojushio-Dai (54 Steps/Techniques
major/greater version)
The Gojushio-Dai kata, originally known as Useshi, has its roots in China.
Its full development however is credited to Matsumura. It is considered
the most advanced kata in Shotokan.
Further Reading:
Some information used on this page was taken from the following sites:
Ju Kengo Karate Club Cologne, Germany. This site has a lot of good
infos but regrettably only in German.
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