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The kata practiced at JKA Wisconsin

Kata is the very essence and foundation of Shotokan Karate. It is the encyclopedia of the system and through it the knowledge of the art form is passed down from generation to generation. Kata teaches the body stances, dynamic movements, and the principles of generating power from the hips and body. Also, kata teaches proper use of breath, timing, distance, rhythm and coordination, and the fighting spirit and mindset of the art. Three essential elements should always be considered in each movement of any kata. These three elements are: application of power (i.e. strength or gentleness of power), speed of technique (i.e. slowness or quickness of technique), and extension and contraction of body (i.e. compression of body or expansion of body).

Also important in the study of kata is 1) executing exactly the correct number and type of techniques, 2) executing the techniques in the correct order, 3) executing the techniques with the correct timing in relationship to one another, and 4) adhering to the correct direction/position and kata pattern (i.e., enbusen).


Kihon in Kata

First, a word about Kihon. Kihon means basics, or fundamentals. If kata is the heart of the Shotokan karate system, then the kihon is the blood and the foundation of the kata. All kata are designed to build strong basics and prepare students for the more advanced aspects of Karate.

The Five Heian Kata

Said to have been created by Funakoshi's teacher Itosu Yatsume, these kata were developed to further help in teaching basic techniques and to help in conditioning the body, and learning proper hip usage. The name Heian comes from the contraction of the characters for heiwa and antei, meaning peace and stability. Many other karate systems, including Shito-ryu, use the Pinan kata series which is a slight variation of the Heian, the name Pinan meaning the same.

Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind First or #1)
Emphasis on basic low blocks/strikes and stepping punch, moving through the center and building strong and low front stances, hammer fist technique and face blocks/strikes, including transitionally timed blocks and strikes, back stance knife hand block/strike, proper basic breathing and application of kiai. Hip rotation, vibration, shifting/thrusting, reconnection.

Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind Second or #2)
Emphasis on multiple blocks, trapping/breaking techniques, back stance knife hand block/strike, reverse stance blocks and counters, transitional blocks and counters, proper basic breathing and application of kiai. Hip rotation, vibration, shifting/thrusting, pendulum (side snap kick), and reconnection.


Heian Sandan
(Peaceful Mind Third or #3)
Emphasis on multiple blocks, trapping/breaking techniques, release from wrist locks and grabs, forearm deflection and back fist strikes, defense from various grabs and holds, proper basic breathing and application of kiai. Hip rotation, vibration, shifting/thrusting, reconnection.


Heian Yondan (Peaceful Mind Fourth or #4)
Emphasis on multiple blocks, trapping/breaking techniques, kicking and countering, double arm block/break/release, devastating counter attacks with elbow and knees, front kick defense, defense from various grabs and holds, proper basic breathing and application of kiai. Hip rotation, vibration, shifting/thrusting, pendulum (side snap kick and front kick), reconnection.

Heian Godan (Peaceful Mind Fifth or #5)
Emphasis on multiple blocks, trapping/breaking techniques, defense from various grabs and holds, Leg blocks and strikes, continuous changing of focus and direction of attacker, take downs, proper breathing and application of kiai. Hip rotation, vibration, shifting/thrusting, pendulum (side snap kick and front kick), reconnection, up and down energy.

 

Included here are the original JKA training videos of each of the Heian kata. They are in MPEG format and viewable on both Mac and Windows computers. They are meant only as a supplemental resource to your dojo training and it should be noted that in many cases the JKA Wisconsin dojo teaches variations that are different from what is demonstrated in these particular videos.

View Heian Shodan JKA Video

View Heian Nidan JKA Video

View Heian Sandan JKA Video

View Heian Yondan JKA Video

View Heian Godan JKA Video



The Three Tekki Kata
The Tekki kata originated in China. Know originally in Okinawa as naihanchi, the Tekki kata were renamed Tekki by Mr. Funakoshi. The characters for Tekki mean iron and horseman, or "mounted on horseback." The "horse-riding" stance, or kiba dachi, is emphasized exclusively in these kata.

Tekki Shodan (Horse Riding First or #1, also called Naihanchi)
Very old Shuri-te kata, Straddle-leg stance. Hip vibration and rotation.

Tekki Nidan (Horse Riding Second or #2)
Modeled after Tekki #1 created by Itosu. Grasping and hooking blocks. Hip vibration and rotation
.

Tekki Sandan (Horse Riding #3)
Modeled after Tekki #1 created by Itosu. Grasping and hooking blocks, continuous middle level blocking and grappling and breaking. Hip vibration and rotation.

 

Included here are the original JKA training videos of each of the three Tekki kata. They are in MPEG format and viewable on both Mac and Windows computers. They are meant only as a supplemental resource to your dojo training and it should be noted that in many cases the JKA Wisconsin dojo teaches variations that are different than what is demonstrated in these particular videos.

View Tekki Shodan JKA Video

View Tekki Nidan JKA Video

View Tekki Sandan JKA Video




The Advanced Kata of Shotokan Karate

Included here are the original JKA training videos of each of the advanced kata of Shotokan Karate. They are in MPEG format and viewable on both Mac and Windows computers. They are meant only as a supplemental resource to your dojo training and it should be noted that in many cases the JKA Wisconsin dojo teaches variations that are different than what is demonstrated in these particular videos.

 

Bassai Dai ("Penetrating the Fortress" - Greater)
This is one of the oldest kata in the system and is common, in many variations of both technique and name, to different styles of Japanese karate. This kata is known for its application of power and strength and changing disadvantage to advantage by the use of switching strikes to blocks and blocks to strikes. Extreme use of hip rotation is a hallmark of this kata, although all of the major hip actions can be found throughout it. This is a Shuri-te school kata of Itosu. There are two forms of Bassai taught in the Shotokan syllabus: Bassai-Dai and Bassai-Sho. Bassai-Dai is considered one of the most important kata for shodan first- and second-degree black belt level, along with Jion, Empi and Kanku-Dai.

View JKA Video

 

Jion (Named for Jion Temple in China, a Buddhist term meaning love and/or goodness)
One unique feature of this kata is the hand position that both starts and ends the kata. This position is a slight variation on a Chinese hand salutation or greeting. One interpretation is of the warrior's spirit cloaked in or mastered by peace. This basic but powerful kata is considered one of the best representative kata of the Shotokan system. Although the kata is composed of primarily basic stances and techniques, it is quite difficult to perform properly. There is little room for error and nowhere to hide or mask poor technique.

View JKA Video

 

Enpi/Empi ("Flying Swallow")
The use of the "n" or "m" in spelling this kata is a matter of debate, although the most correct phonetic translation requires the use of an "n" in its name.
Named "Flying Swallow" because of its sharp and quick rising and descending movements and its trademark jump. A very advanced kata with detailed and devastating applications.

View JKA Video

 

Kanku Dai ("Watching the Sky" - Greater)
Originally named Kusanku, Itosu used the movements and sequences of this important kata to create the Five Heian kata. Considered the one of the "big four" of the Shotokan System for black belt level (along with Jion, Empi and Bassai-Dai) it was said to have been the favorite of Mr. Funakoshi.

View JKA Video

 

Hangetsu ("Half Moon")
Taken from the kata Seishan of the Okinawan System, this kata's name refers to the distinctive stance combining inward rotation of the legs with pressure to the floor through the center and movements of the foot also through the center. Also important is the emphasis on distinctive breathing techniques reminiscent of Okinawan Tensho and Sanchin kata.

View JKA Video

 

Gankaku ("Crane on a Rock")

View JKA Video

 

Jitte ("Ten Hands")

View JKA Video

 

Bassai Sho ("Penetrating the Fortress" - Lesser)

View JKA Video

 

Kanku Sho ("Watching the Sky" - Lesser)

View JKA Video

 

Nijushiho ("Twenty-four Steps")

View JKA Video

 

Sochin ("Strength"/"Calm")

View JKA Video

 

Meikyo ("Bright Mirror")

View JKA Video

 

Ji'in ("Temple Grounds", or "Love")

View JKA Video

 

Wankan ("King's Crown")

View JKA Video

 

Chinte ("Curious Hands", "Rare Hands", or "Unusual Hands")

View JKA Video

 

Gojushiho Sho ("Fifty-four Steps" - Lesser)

View JKA Video

 

Gojushiho Dai ("Fifty-four Steps" - Greater)
Features neko-ashi-dachi, or cat stance, another stance dependent on internal rotation of the legs and pressure through the center. Gojushiho Dai primarily relies on mastery of ippon nukite, or single-finger strikes, with complimentary reliance on hooking blocks with the base of the thumb. A huge challenge to stance stability and mobility, especially featuring the hooking foot sweep with the heel that neko-ashi-dachi allows.

View JKA Video

 

Unsu ("Hands in the Clouds", or "Cloud Hands")
The most advanced kata in Shotokan karate
, featuring rapid changes of direction, fighting from the floor and in almost every stance.

View JKA Video