Kata is the building blocks of karate. Back in the beginning, there was no real basics drills. Karate practitioners learned the art by practising the kata. Each kata is a set of techniques to use in certain situations. Each one demonstrates different skills and and self defense techniques.
Group 1 – For Kyu Ranks – Shitei Kata
Kata Name # Moves Kiai Points Type Related Training Points Meaning Taikyoku Shodan 20 8, 16 Shorin Turning Heian Shodan 21 9, 17 Shorin Jion Front stance, posture, timing, basics Peaceful Mind Heian Nidan 26 11, 26 Shorin Bassai Dai Back stance, reverse hip, combinations Peaceful Mind Heian Sandan 20 10, 20 Shorin Jutte Horse stance, simultaneous techniques Peaceful Mind Heian Yondan 27 14, 25 Shorin Kanku Dai Expansion and contraction Peaceful Mind Heian Godan 23 12, 19 Shorin Gankaku Speed, balance, flexibility, co-ordination Peaceful Mind Tekki Shodan 29 15, 29 Shorei Power Iron Horse Bassai Dai 42 19, 42 Shorin H-2 Hip rotation, shifting Penetrate a fortress
Group 2 – For Shodan – Tokui Kata
Kata Name # Moves Kiai Points Type Related Training Points Meaning Tekki Nidan 24 16, 24 Shorei Power Iron Horse Tekki Sandan 36 16, 36 Shorei Power Iron Horse Bassai Dai 42 19, 42 Shorin H-2 Hip rotation, shifting Penetrate a fortress Kanku Dai 65 15, 64 Shorin H-4 Endurance, multiple attackers View the Sky Jutte 24 13, 24 Shorei H-3 Defense against bo Ten Hands
Group 3 – For Nidan – Tokui Kata
Kata Name # Moves Kiai Points Type Related Training Points Meaning Hangetsu 41 11, 40 Shorei Breathing, coordination, expansion/contraction Half Moon Enpi 37 15, 36 Shorin Speed, agility Flight of the Swallow Gankaku 42 28, 42 Shorin H-5 Balance Crane standing on the Rock Jion 47 17, 47 Shorei H-1 Controlled Emotions Temple Bassai Sho 27 17, 25 Shorin To Storm a Fortress
Group 4 – For Sandan – Tokui Kata
Kata Name # Moves Kiai Points Type Related Training Points Meaning Kanku Sho 47 28, 47 Shorin View the sky Chintei 33 9, 32 Shorin Interesting Hands Unsu 48 36, 48 Shorin Cloud Hands Sochin 40 28, 40 Shorei Fudo Dachi Nijushiho 33 18, 32 Shorin Twenty Four Step
Group 5 – For Yondan – Tokui Kata
Kata Name # Moves Kiai Points Type Related Training Points Meaning Gojushiho Dai 62 54, 61 Shorin Fifty Four Step Gojushiho Sho 65 57, 64 Shorin Fifty Four Step Meikyo 33 24, 33 Shorin Bright Mirror Wankan 24 8, 24 Shorei King’s Crown Jiin 35 11, 35 Shorei Temple Ground