Monday, May 6, 2013

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

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