Katas
Kata (choreographed fighting forms) are an integral part of karate training and have a history as full and as rich as karate itself. There are many different kata, as there are many different styles of karate. Some styles list as many as 60 different kata, some no more than 15. Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi espoused the philosophy that 15 kata are a lifetime's worth of practice. Most of the kata taught and practiced in modern karate dojo (schools) are considered "traditional," meaning they embody the spirit and teachings of the original karate masters. A number of the kata practiced in today have their origins in China around the 16th century. Others were developed in Okinawa or Japan proper only a few decades ago. The majority of the kata taught today, however, are on average 75-100 years old.
Shotokan has 26 kata ( 5 Heian, 3 Tekki, 4 Sentei, and 14 advanced) There are 2 types of kata in Shotokan: Shorin and Shorei. Shorin teaches speed and agility where as Shorei focuses on power. The important elements in Kata are speed, timing, coordination, muscle expansion and contraction and the correct application of power and technique. At the end of this section you can watch the first seven kata (patterns) required of each student on their way to the black belt level in Shotokan Karate.
List of Katas
| Name | Number of Moves | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Heian Shodan | 21 | peaceful mind Kata |
| Heian Nidan | 26 | peaceful mind Kata |
| Heian Sandan | 20 | peaceful mind Kata |
| Heian Yondan | 27 | peaceful mind Kata |
| Heian Godan | 23 | peaceful mind Kata |
| Tekki Shodan | 29 | iron horse |
| Tekki Nidan | 24 | iron horse |
| Tekki Sandan | 36 | iron horse |
| Bassai Dai | 42 | to storm a fortress (major) |
| Kanku Dai | 65 | to view the sky (major) |
| Empi | 37 | flight of the swallow |
| Jion | 47 | temple (major) |
| Jutte | 24 | 10 hands |
| Hangetsu | 41 | half-moon |
| Gankaku | 42 | crane on a rock |
| Bassai Sho | 27 | to storm a fortress (minor) |
| Kanku Sho | 47 | to view the sky (minor) |
| Chinte | 32 | unusual hands |
| Unsu | 48 | cloud hands |
| Sochin | 40 | preservation of peace |
| Nijushiho | 33 | 24 steps |
| Gojushiho Dai | 62 | 54 steps (major) |
| Gojushiho Sho | 65 | 54 steps (minor) |
| Meikyo | 33 | bright mirror |
| Wankan | 21 | king's crown |
| Jiin | 32 | temple (minor) |