SHOTOKAN KATA

When Meijin Funakoshi came to mainland Japan, he taught 16 kata: 5 Pinan, 3 Naihanchi, Kushanku Dai, Kushanku Sho, Seisan, Patsai, Wanshu, Chinte, Jitte and Jion. He kept his students on the basic ones before they progressed to the more advanced forms. He actually taught at least 40 kata, these were later included in the limited but monumental work by Shigeru Egami "Karate-do for the Specialist". Funakoshi sincerely believed it would take a lifetime to master a handful of kata and that sixteen would be enough. Funakoshi insisted on Hito-Kata Sanen (three years on one kata). He chose the kata which were best suited for physical stress and self-defense. History and Master Funakoshi's great ability as a teacher and Karate technician have proved his philosophy that kata practice was more than sufficient in times of need. He believed that karate was an art rather than a sport. To him, kata was karate. Modern day Shotokan Karate consists of 26 Kata. Each kata is unique and has its own importance and values, that yield numerous benefits to the karateka who practice them with true spirit. 26 Kata of Shotokan Karate Heian Shodan Heian Nidan Heian Sandan Heian Yondan Heian Godan Tekki Shodan Bassai Dai Kanku Dai Enpi Sochin Meikyo Ji'in Gojushiho Dai Jion Jitte Hangetsu Gankaku Tekki Nidan Tekki Sandan Chinte Bassai Sho Kanku Sho Nijushiho Unsu Wankan Gojushiho Sho
		Kyu & Dan Kata R.I.Shotokan Karate-do JKS, WKF Heian Shodan (Video) - Heian Shodan (Diagram) Heian Nidan (Video) - Heian Nidan (Diagram) Heian Sandan (Video) - Heian Sandan (Diagram) Heian Yondan (Video) - Heian Yondan (Diagram) Heian Godan (Video) - Heian Godan (Diagram) Tekki Shodan (Video) - Tekki Shodan (Diagram) Bassai Dai (Video) - Bassai Dai (Diagram)