Karate kata are sequences of basic, intermediate and advanced techniques arranged into set orders and patterns. The closest examples or equivalents of the Karate Kata in other activities or sports are shadow boxing, dance routines and the floor routines in gymnastics. The name kata is a Japanese term translated as mold, model, style, form or shape.
Each kata has its' own character. Some kata are heavy and powerful whereas others are far more graceful and flowing in their nature. Some kata however contain a mixture of both and each kata 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 guessed at from the kanji that their identity was originally written in.
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 excepion of the Tekki kata, the other Shotokan kata are not named using such a numerical system.
Tekki Kata
This group of three kata were originally called the Naihanchi kata. Once again this name was replaced by Funokoshi Sensei and changed to 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'.
Dai and Sho Kata
The Japanese kanji (characters) for Dai and Sho simply translate as 'Big' and 'Small'. Despite a common misconception, Dai kata are not anymore or any less advanced that their Sho versions. Despite the translation of big and small, the Gojushiho kata are reversed. The 'dai' version of these two kata is actually smaller than that of 'Sho'.
Common Kata Terminology
REI – Bow
YOI – Ready position
YASUME – Return to Yoi
NAORE – Relax
ENBUSEN – The invisible performance line on which the kata is performed
KIAI – Focus point in the kata where the Karate-Ka shouts
The 26 Shotokan Kata
HEIAN SHODAN (Peaceful Mind – Level 1)
21 movements Kai on movements 9 and 17
HEIAN NIDAN (Peaceful Mind – Level 2)
26 movements, Kiai on movements11 and 26
HEIAN SANDAN (Peaceful Mind – Level 3)
20 movements, Kiai on movements 10 and 20
HEIAN YONDAN (Peaceful Mind – Level 4)
27 movements, Kiai on movements 13 and 25
HEIAN GODAN (Peaceful Mind – Level 5)
23 movements, Kiai on movements 12 and 19
TEKKI SHODAN (Iron Knight – Level 1)
29 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 29
TEKKI NIDAN (Iron Knight – Level 2)
24 movements, Kiai on movements 16 and 24
TEKKI SANDAN (Iron Knight – Level 3)
36 movements, Kiai on movements 16 and 36
BASSAI DAI (To penetrate a fortress)
42 movements, Kiai on movements 19 and 42
KANKU DAI (To look at the sky)
65 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 65
JION (Named after the temple Jion-Ji)
47 movements, Kiai on movements 17 and 47
ENPI (Flight of the swallow)
37 movements, Kiai on movements 15 and 36
JITTE (Ten Hands)
24 movements, Kiai on movements 13 and 24
HANGETSU (Half Moon)
41 movements, Kiai on movements 11 and 40
GANKAKU (Crane standing upon a rock)
42 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 42
BASSAI SHO (To penetrate a fortress – small)
27 movements, Kiai on movements 17 and 22
KANKU SHO (To look at the sky – small)
47 movements, Kiai on movements 6 and 47
CHINTE (Incredible Hands)
32 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 32
SOCHIN (Energetic Calm)
40 movements, Kiai on movements 28 and 40
NIJUSHIHO (24 Steps)
33 movements, Kiai on movements 18 and 32
MEIKYO (Bright Mirror)
33 movements, Kiai on movement 32
GOJUSHIHO DAI (54 Steps – Big)
62 movements, Kiai on movements 54 and 61
GOJUSHIHO SHO (54 Steps – Small)
65 movements, Kiai on movements 57 and 64
UNSU (Hands in the clouds)
48 movements, Kiai on movements 38 and 48
WANKAN (Kings Crown)
25 movements, Kiai on movement 25
JI'IN (Named after the temple grounds of Jion-Ji)
35 movements Kiai on movements 11 and 35