The most common translation of the word "kata" is "form". Kata, to the unknowing, may appear to be nothing more than a dance, but in reality, it can give us deep insight regarding the whole "personality" of Karate. Kata is the essence of the art of Karate.
The purpose of kata is the development of balance, coordination, timing, effective combination and utilization of techniques and body shifting. Before the recent development of kumite (sparring), these formal exercises were the major form of Karate practice. Most of the formal exercises were created by the early Karate masters who wove into them the various techniques of attack and defense. All katas are based on imagined combat with three or more opponents. They provide the basis from which present day Karate techniques developed and are still the textbook of the art.Shotokan Kata
To view a kata click on your choice below
For a list of Kata taught at Central Bucks Karate Club go hereModern Name Original Name Meaning Source
Kihon Taikyoku Shodan Basic Form Gichin Funakoshi Heian Shodan Pinan Shodan Peaceful mind #1 Yasutsune Itosu Heian Nidan Pinan Nidan Peaceful mind #2 Yasutsune Itosu Heian Sandan Pinan Sandan Peaceful mind #3 Yasutsune Itosu Heian Yondan Pinan Yondan Peaceful mind #4 Yasutsune Itosu Heian Godan Pinan Godan Peaceful mind #5 Yasutsune Itosu Tekki Shodan Naihanchi Shodan Horse Riding stance #1 Yasutsune Itosu Tekki Nidan Naihanchi Nidan Horse Riding stance #2 Yasutsune Itosu Tekki Sandan Naihanchi Sandan Horse Riding stance #3 Yasutsune Itosu Hangetsu Seisan, Seishan Half Moon Stance China Jitte Jitte Ten Hands Tomari-te Empi Wanshu Flying Swallow Wang Ji Bassai Sho Passai Penetrate Small Fortress Yasutsune Itosu Bassai Dai Passai Penetrate a Fortress Oyadomari Jion Jion Buddhist Monk Tomari-te Jiin Shokyo Temple Grounds Tomari-te Sochin Hakko Stongly Rooted Giko Funakoshi Kanku Dai Kushanku/Koshokun Looking into the Sky Kung Hsiang Chun Kanku Sho Kushanku/Koshokun Looking into the Sky Anko Itosu Gankaku Gankaku Crane on a Rock Shorin-ryu Gojushiho Dai Useshi or Hotaku 54 Steps (major) Yasutsune Itosu Gojushiho Sho Useshi or Hotaku 54 Steps (minor) Yasutsune Itosu Nijushiho Niseishi Twenty-four steps Seisho Aragaki Unsu Unsu/Unshu Cloud Hands Seisho Aragaki Chinte Shoin Strange Hands Gichin Funakoshi Meikyo Rohai Bright Mirror Tomari-te Wankan Hito/Shiofu King's Crown Giko Funakoshi
