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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Tekki Nidan:
The key factor of the "Tekki" kata series is that there are no forward and backwards steps, movements only go either left or right. Tekki Nidan itself is an intermediate kata between the more slow moving and block oriented Tekki Shodan and the very fast, attack oriented Tekki Sandan.
The techniques in the kata are designed to allow students to demonstrate fully the differences in breathing (Kime) between slow techniques and faster striking techniques. There is also a much higher artistic application to the kata with high arching blocking movements and extended elbow strikes.
The key factor of the "Tekki" kata series is that there are no forward and backwards steps, movements only go either left or right. Tekki Nidan itself is an intermediate kata between the more slow moving and block oriented Tekki Shodan and the very fast, attack oriented Tekki Sandan.
The techniques in the kata are designed to allow students to demonstrate fully the differences in breathing (Kime) between slow techniques and faster striking techniques. There is also a much higher artistic application to the kata with high arching blocking movements and extended elbow strikes.
Tekki Sandan:
Tekki Sandan is the most advanced in the "Tekki" kata series and the most difficult to master. The kata builds on fundamental elements from the previous kata such as having a strong, rooted stance (dachi) and correct posture.
The essential element to Tekki Sandan is maximising power through little movement, as the kata moves only left and right and the dominant use of horse riding (Kiba-dachi) stance it is difficult to generate power through hip movement so it is of major importance to generate power through other methods such as hip vibration and ensuring techniques move in a straight line where this should be the case so that no power is lost during the technique.
Tekki Sandan is the most advanced in the "Tekki" kata series and the most difficult to master. The kata builds on fundamental elements from the previous kata such as having a strong, rooted stance (dachi) and correct posture.
The essential element to Tekki Sandan is maximising power through little movement, as the kata moves only left and right and the dominant use of horse riding (Kiba-dachi) stance it is difficult to generate power through hip movement so it is of major importance to generate power through other methods such as hip vibration and ensuring techniques move in a straight line where this should be the case so that no power is lost during the technique.
Bassai Sho:
Bassai Sho as a kata is credited as being created by the master of Sensei Funakoshi named Master Anko Itosu, the literal translation of Bassai Sho is "To storm a castle, and capture the inhabitants"
The kata is different to the earlier Bassai Dai in that the movements are less based on pure force, and more on dynamic movements and using an opponents strength against them. These moves include arm & wrist grabs, deflections as well as very powerful breaking techniques.
Bassai Sho is thought to be less powerful than Bassai Dai but has been described as a "dangerous calm" in that the motions may seem very artistic and graceful but in application are extremely effective at disabling opponents.
Bassai Sho as a kata is credited as being created by the master of Sensei Funakoshi named Master Anko Itosu, the literal translation of Bassai Sho is "To storm a castle, and capture the inhabitants"
The kata is different to the earlier Bassai Dai in that the movements are less based on pure force, and more on dynamic movements and using an opponents strength against them. These moves include arm & wrist grabs, deflections as well as very powerful breaking techniques.
Bassai Sho is thought to be less powerful than Bassai Dai but has been described as a "dangerous calm" in that the motions may seem very artistic and graceful but in application are extremely effective at disabling opponents.
Jion:
The origin of Jion is shrouded in mystery however it is believed that the kata was developed in a Chinese Buddhist Temple of the same name.
Jion is seen as a highly artistic kata however it involves some very powerful techniques including the stomping kick (Fumikome) as well as an extremely fast breaking and striking combination. It is also the only kata in karate with an extended Kiai lasting 4 seconds. In the kata it is essential to maintain proper breathing (kime) as well as posture due to the variety of stances being used throughout.
The origin of Jion is shrouded in mystery however it is believed that the kata was developed in a Chinese Buddhist Temple of the same name.
Jion is seen as a highly artistic kata however it involves some very powerful techniques including the stomping kick (Fumikome) as well as an extremely fast breaking and striking combination. It is also the only kata in karate with an extended Kiai lasting 4 seconds. In the kata it is essential to maintain proper breathing (kime) as well as posture due to the variety of stances being used throughout.
Empi:
Empi is literally translated to "Flight of the swallow" as the techniques in the kata are intended to mimic the up and down flight path typical of a swallow.
The kata itself is more unusual in that instead of using more traditional methods to generate power such as strong rooted stances it requires power to be generated through movement. It is important in this kata to maintain a strong stance whilst still being light on your feet in order to maximize the amount of power being generated. The kata also introduces the rising punch (Age-zuke) as well as a challenging jumping motion.
Empi is literally translated to "Flight of the swallow" as the techniques in the kata are intended to mimic the up and down flight path typical of a swallow.
The kata itself is more unusual in that instead of using more traditional methods to generate power such as strong rooted stances it requires power to be generated through movement. It is important in this kata to maintain a strong stance whilst still being light on your feet in order to maximize the amount of power being generated. The kata also introduces the rising punch (Age-zuke) as well as a challenging jumping motion.
Kanku Dai:
Kanku Dai is well known to have been Sensei Funakoshi's favourite kata and was commonly used in demonstrations to popularize Shotokan Karare in Japan. The kata is believed to be a modified version of the Kendo Kata Kushanku and is literally translated as "To look at the sky major" due to the starting technique being a slow rising blocking motion.
Kanku Dai is one of the most mentally and physically demanding kata within Shotokan Karate in that it draws upon elements of multiple other kata that students have already practiced. Therefore ensuring that the kata flows correctly is essential to a student's understanding and successful completion of the kata. This kata includes the impressive jumping snap kick (Mae- tobigeri) as well as less commonly used techniques such as shuto-uchi, tettsui-uchi and a high sweeping Sukui-uke technique.
Kanku Dai is well known to have been Sensei Funakoshi's favourite kata and was commonly used in demonstrations to popularize Shotokan Karare in Japan. The kata is believed to be a modified version of the Kendo Kata Kushanku and is literally translated as "To look at the sky major" due to the starting technique being a slow rising blocking motion.
Kanku Dai is one of the most mentally and physically demanding kata within Shotokan Karate in that it draws upon elements of multiple other kata that students have already practiced. Therefore ensuring that the kata flows correctly is essential to a student's understanding and successful completion of the kata. This kata includes the impressive jumping snap kick (Mae- tobigeri) as well as less commonly used techniques such as shuto-uchi, tettsui-uchi and a high sweeping Sukui-uke technique.
Kanku Sho:
Kanku Sho literally translates to "To look at the sky minor" and is an adaptation kata using Kanku Dai as a basis. Whilst the significance of this is clear in Kanku Dai the symbolic meaning of Kanku Sho is less obvious. When performing the 2nd jumping technique both hands follow in the same motion in a pattern similar to the movement of the sun however this is mainly only obvious to the person performing the kata.
Kanku Sho attempts to develop defence from a position where the it would be traditionally be viewed as being vulnerable. However the kata instead attempts to show the advantage of each position and stance being used in a non traditional sense. The kata is extremely effective in a competition setting due to the highly artistic jumping techniques however it should not be under-estimated under any circumstance and requires great skill and fluidity and is also very physically demanding on the practitioner demonstrating the kata.
Kanku Sho literally translates to "To look at the sky minor" and is an adaptation kata using Kanku Dai as a basis. Whilst the significance of this is clear in Kanku Dai the symbolic meaning of Kanku Sho is less obvious. When performing the 2nd jumping technique both hands follow in the same motion in a pattern similar to the movement of the sun however this is mainly only obvious to the person performing the kata.
Kanku Sho attempts to develop defence from a position where the it would be traditionally be viewed as being vulnerable. However the kata instead attempts to show the advantage of each position and stance being used in a non traditional sense. The kata is extremely effective in a competition setting due to the highly artistic jumping techniques however it should not be under-estimated under any circumstance and requires great skill and fluidity and is also very physically demanding on the practitioner demonstrating the kata.
Wankan:
Wankan is the shortest kata in Shotokan Karate however it is no less complex. Translated to "King's Crown" Wankan is the only kata which features only on Kiai which is performed on the finishing "two-level" punching (Yama-tsuki) technique.
The kata is intended to be performed in extremely close quarters and introduces the "Cat-stance" (Nekoashi Dachi). It features a number of highly effective grabbing and striking techniques intended to immobilize opponents legs. It is essential that students be able to transition effectively between the newly introduced Nekoashi Dachi and other stances used in the kata.
Wankan is the shortest kata in Shotokan Karate however it is no less complex. Translated to "King's Crown" Wankan is the only kata which features only on Kiai which is performed on the finishing "two-level" punching (Yama-tsuki) technique.
The kata is intended to be performed in extremely close quarters and introduces the "Cat-stance" (Nekoashi Dachi). It features a number of highly effective grabbing and striking techniques intended to immobilize opponents legs. It is essential that students be able to transition effectively between the newly introduced Nekoashi Dachi and other stances used in the kata.
Hangetsu:
The Hangetsu or "Half Moon" kata is one of the most important within the Shotokan syllabus due to the focus placed on breathing techniques (Kime) within the kata.
Althought performed at a slow pace the kata is extremely powerful and utilizes techniques intended to destabilize and weaken opponents through strong sweeping forward stance movements and the use of the half moon stance (Hangetsu-dachi). It uses more unconventional techniques such as grabbing and disabling movements, palm heel strike (Teisho-uchi) and the unusual "extended knuckle" strike known as "Ippon-ken" which is used to target major pressure points.
The Hangetsu or "Half Moon" kata is one of the most important within the Shotokan syllabus due to the focus placed on breathing techniques (Kime) within the kata.
Althought performed at a slow pace the kata is extremely powerful and utilizes techniques intended to destabilize and weaken opponents through strong sweeping forward stance movements and the use of the half moon stance (Hangetsu-dachi). It uses more unconventional techniques such as grabbing and disabling movements, palm heel strike (Teisho-uchi) and the unusual "extended knuckle" strike known as "Ippon-ken" which is used to target major pressure points.
Meikyo:
This highly artistic kata, originally named Rohai translates to mean "A brightly polished mirror" which has a dual meaning in that many of the techniques used mirror each other during demonstration of the kata. But also the philosophical implication that you should "polish" the the kata through repeated practice to gain a true understanding of both the kata and yourself.
The kata uses techniques such as a jumping blocking strike as well as a simultaneous strike which requires great skill and balance to perform correctly. It also shows unconventional methods of blocking weapon (specifically staff & pole) attacks and using the attacker's momentum against them during this attack.
This highly artistic kata, originally named Rohai translates to mean "A brightly polished mirror" which has a dual meaning in that many of the techniques used mirror each other during demonstration of the kata. But also the philosophical implication that you should "polish" the the kata through repeated practice to gain a true understanding of both the kata and yourself.
The kata uses techniques such as a jumping blocking strike as well as a simultaneous strike which requires great skill and balance to perform correctly. It also shows unconventional methods of blocking weapon (specifically staff & pole) attacks and using the attacker's momentum against them during this attack.
Gankaku:
Originally named Chinto, Gankaku is translated to "Crane on a rock" due to the one-legged movements which resemble a crane standing on a rock. Through these movements practitioners develop effective balance and co-ordination skills through effective body shifting and pivoting, effective use of these skills allows for powerful kata demonstration.
It is essential to have proper balance in order to perform this kata, correct breathing (Kime) forms a key part of this process in order to maintain core body strength throughout. Particularly through the more artistic sections of the kata intended to show the strength of the person performing the kata.
Originally named Chinto, Gankaku is translated to "Crane on a rock" due to the one-legged movements which resemble a crane standing on a rock. Through these movements practitioners develop effective balance and co-ordination skills through effective body shifting and pivoting, effective use of these skills allows for powerful kata demonstration.
It is essential to have proper balance in order to perform this kata, correct breathing (Kime) forms a key part of this process in order to maintain core body strength throughout. Particularly through the more artistic sections of the kata intended to show the strength of the person performing the kata.