Each Kata in Shotokan karate has it's own meaning and interpretations. Once students have mastered the "basic" Shotokan kata they move on to advanced kata, descriptions of these advanced kata and the skills to be demonstrated are shown below.
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Jitte:
This kata, translated as "Ten Hands" shares a number of similarities with the kata Jion. This includes the timing of the 3 palm heel (Teisho-uchi) strikes in the kiba-dachi stance, as well as the starting (Yoi) position. The timing of the 3 Tiesho-uchi strikes is achieved through correct control of the legs to create strong and effective stances.
The wide variety of techniques used throughout the kata are intended to disarm opponents armed with a variety of weapons and is intended to allow the practitioner to show "Fearlessness in the face of extreme danger" particularly when disarming pole/staff weapons. This is done through correct application of strong grabbing and breaking techniques and requires a high level of skill and concentration.
This kata, translated as "Ten Hands" shares a number of similarities with the kata Jion. This includes the timing of the 3 palm heel (Teisho-uchi) strikes in the kiba-dachi stance, as well as the starting (Yoi) position. The timing of the 3 Tiesho-uchi strikes is achieved through correct control of the legs to create strong and effective stances.
The wide variety of techniques used throughout the kata are intended to disarm opponents armed with a variety of weapons and is intended to allow the practitioner to show "Fearlessness in the face of extreme danger" particularly when disarming pole/staff weapons. This is done through correct application of strong grabbing and breaking techniques and requires a high level of skill and concentration.
Jiin:
The origin of this kata is largely unknown but is believed to be derived from Jitte and Jion due to using the same starting (Yoi) position in each of these kata. Although less artistic as some of the advanced kata, Jiin is no less powerful requiring a high degree of skill and practice to master.
Jiin includes a spinning hammer fist (Tettsui-uchi) strike which must be performed in a strong kiba-dachi stance to be done effectively. There are a number of fast & slow techniques requiring transition between both which must be performed with correct breathing (Kime) to emphasize both power and technique.
The origin of this kata is largely unknown but is believed to be derived from Jitte and Jion due to using the same starting (Yoi) position in each of these kata. Although less artistic as some of the advanced kata, Jiin is no less powerful requiring a high degree of skill and practice to master.
Jiin includes a spinning hammer fist (Tettsui-uchi) strike which must be performed in a strong kiba-dachi stance to be done effectively. There are a number of fast & slow techniques requiring transition between both which must be performed with correct breathing (Kime) to emphasize both power and technique.
Nijushiho:
This kata is believed to have been created by a master of the Shorin-ryu style of Karate Anikichi Aragaki, Nijushiho translates to "twenty four steps" - this highly simplistic translation has been a topic of much discussion for many years.
Nijushiho is intended to teach students to defend from many angles & improve co-ordination. The kata does not have attacks coming from predictable angles and involves a great deal of concentration to ensure the kata is performed correctly. Although a very artistic kata Nijushiho has sudden contrasts between very slow techniques transitioning into explosive power. This requires a great deal of skill in shifting from a more relaxed state to a more tense position and needs a high level of control of the muscles in the body.
This kata is believed to have been created by a master of the Shorin-ryu style of Karate Anikichi Aragaki, Nijushiho translates to "twenty four steps" - this highly simplistic translation has been a topic of much discussion for many years.
Nijushiho is intended to teach students to defend from many angles & improve co-ordination. The kata does not have attacks coming from predictable angles and involves a great deal of concentration to ensure the kata is performed correctly. Although a very artistic kata Nijushiho has sudden contrasts between very slow techniques transitioning into explosive power. This requires a great deal of skill in shifting from a more relaxed state to a more tense position and needs a high level of control of the muscles in the body.
Sochin:
Believed to be derived from techniques taken from the "Dragon Style" of Wushu, Sochin or "Tranquil force" is one of the strongest and most physically demanding kata in Shotokan Karate.
The most prominent feature of this kata is the use of the "rooted stance" (Sochin-dachi) which is one of the most powerful stances in Karate. The kata has deep and powerfully slow movements mixed with co-ordinated, strong breathing. Those practicing the kata should aim to harmonize both breathing and motion whilst performing Sochin to show both mastery of the techniques in application as well as improving the overall strength of the kata.
Believed to be derived from techniques taken from the "Dragon Style" of Wushu, Sochin or "Tranquil force" is one of the strongest and most physically demanding kata in Shotokan Karate.
The most prominent feature of this kata is the use of the "rooted stance" (Sochin-dachi) which is one of the most powerful stances in Karate. The kata has deep and powerfully slow movements mixed with co-ordinated, strong breathing. Those practicing the kata should aim to harmonize both breathing and motion whilst performing Sochin to show both mastery of the techniques in application as well as improving the overall strength of the kata.
Chinte:
Chinte takes its name from the Chinese characters meaning "Strange hands" and focuses on more unusual hand strikes and techniques. These include an adaptation of the extended knuckle strike using the middle knuckle (Nakadaka-ken), palm heel strike (Teisho-uchi) and an adapted spear hand strike utilizing only 2 fingers (Nihon-nukite).
Chinte is intended to allow students to fully appreciate the various vulnerable points of the body and allow this understanding to be applied to all areas of karate. Overall the kata requires an extremely high level of concentration to perform correctly due to the highly artistic sections and fast striking techniques being used throughout.
Chinte takes its name from the Chinese characters meaning "Strange hands" and focuses on more unusual hand strikes and techniques. These include an adaptation of the extended knuckle strike using the middle knuckle (Nakadaka-ken), palm heel strike (Teisho-uchi) and an adapted spear hand strike utilizing only 2 fingers (Nihon-nukite).
Chinte is intended to allow students to fully appreciate the various vulnerable points of the body and allow this understanding to be applied to all areas of karate. Overall the kata requires an extremely high level of concentration to perform correctly due to the highly artistic sections and fast striking techniques being used throughout.
Unsu:
Unsu is one of the most athletically challenging kata and is in fact one of the oldest kata in Shotokan Karate. Literally translated to "Cloud hands" Unsu is extremely difficult to perform due to the use of two kicks performed by dropping to the floor immediately followed by a complex front snap kick (Maegeri) & front hand strike (Haito) section.
The highly artistic blocking and striking techniques used throughout the kata are said to be used to "sweep away the hands of the opponent" as well as signifying the gathering of thunderclouds during a storm. Unsu is extremely popular in competition situations due to high level of complexity of the kata but is also a well rounded kata intended to develop a multitude of skills.
Unsu is one of the most athletically challenging kata and is in fact one of the oldest kata in Shotokan Karate. Literally translated to "Cloud hands" Unsu is extremely difficult to perform due to the use of two kicks performed by dropping to the floor immediately followed by a complex front snap kick (Maegeri) & front hand strike (Haito) section.
The highly artistic blocking and striking techniques used throughout the kata are said to be used to "sweep away the hands of the opponent" as well as signifying the gathering of thunderclouds during a storm. Unsu is extremely popular in competition situations due to high level of complexity of the kata but is also a well rounded kata intended to develop a multitude of skills.
Gojushiho-Dai:
The Gojushiho kata series (Dai & Sho) are believed to be the most advanced and difficult kata in the Shotokan syllabus, Gojushiho dai also takes the top spot of "The longest Shotokan Kata" with 67 techniques/movements. The kata itself draws on a number of elements from other kata including those in the "Tekki" series.
Gojushiho Dai focuses on slow, powerful techniques transitioning into extremely fast striking combination. There are also a number of techniques intended to disable an attacker completely such as a head height elbow strike (Jodan age-empi) as well as a leg grab & breaking section. The kata is not only complex due to the large number of movements involved but also due to the mastery of skills such as effective breathing, sliding into stances (Tsugi-ashi) and also a high level of control to ensure that the kata is performed correctly.
The Gojushiho kata series (Dai & Sho) are believed to be the most advanced and difficult kata in the Shotokan syllabus, Gojushiho dai also takes the top spot of "The longest Shotokan Kata" with 67 techniques/movements. The kata itself draws on a number of elements from other kata including those in the "Tekki" series.
Gojushiho Dai focuses on slow, powerful techniques transitioning into extremely fast striking combination. There are also a number of techniques intended to disable an attacker completely such as a head height elbow strike (Jodan age-empi) as well as a leg grab & breaking section. The kata is not only complex due to the large number of movements involved but also due to the mastery of skills such as effective breathing, sliding into stances (Tsugi-ashi) and also a high level of control to ensure that the kata is performed correctly.
Gojushiho-Sho:
Formerly known as Useishi this kata is both extremely strong and very artistic. Gojushiho Sho is said to encompass all of the essential skills and elements in a Karate kata. In order to perform this kata effectively a student must show contrasting movements between slow and fast techniques whilst maximizing power generated throughout.
The kata's power elements include a powerful knee strike (Hiza-geri) technique transitioning quickly into a stamping kick (Fumikomi). Gojushiho-sho also draws on the power of even basic stances by utilizing a forward stance (Zenkutsu-dachi) to draw an opponent off balance allowing for an effective counter attack.
One of the most complex kata to master employing highly artistic sweeping movements as well as extremely powerful striking techniques. A full understanding of the importance of stance, breathing (Kime), positioning and generation of power are required to perform this kata to its fullest effect.
Formerly known as Useishi this kata is both extremely strong and very artistic. Gojushiho Sho is said to encompass all of the essential skills and elements in a Karate kata. In order to perform this kata effectively a student must show contrasting movements between slow and fast techniques whilst maximizing power generated throughout.
The kata's power elements include a powerful knee strike (Hiza-geri) technique transitioning quickly into a stamping kick (Fumikomi). Gojushiho-sho also draws on the power of even basic stances by utilizing a forward stance (Zenkutsu-dachi) to draw an opponent off balance allowing for an effective counter attack.
One of the most complex kata to master employing highly artistic sweeping movements as well as extremely powerful striking techniques. A full understanding of the importance of stance, breathing (Kime), positioning and generation of power are required to perform this kata to its fullest effect.