Washington Shotokan Karate

Kata demonstrations

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KATA

Kata are formal exercises which combine basic karate techniques blocking, punching, striking, and kicking into a series of predetermined movements. Kata combine offensive and defensive techniques, proper body movement, and changes in direction. The kata teach the karateka to dispose of numerous attackers from at least four directions.

Although the kata do not involve visible opponents, the karateka, through serious study of the kata, learns the art of self-defense and the ability to calmly and efficiently deal with dangerous situations.

• Each kata has a fixed number of movements that must be performed in the correct order.
• One must begin and end the kata at the same point on the floor. Each kata has its own "shape" Embusen. Depending on the kata, the karateka may move along a straight line or a "T"– or "I"–shaped formation.
• A dynamic, beautiful kata depends on correct use of power, correct speed of movement whether fast or slow, as well as expansion and contraction of the body.
• Bowing at the beginning and end of the kata is part of the kata.
  

Kata	Meaning	Kata	Meaning
Heian	Peaceful way	Jitte	Ten hands
Tekki	Iron horse	Chinte	Extraordinary hands
Bassai	Penetrate a fortress  dai=major, sho=minor	Nijushiho	24 steps
Kanku	Viewing the sky	Sochin	Preserve peace
Empi	Flying swallow	Unsu	Hands of a cloud
Jion	Bhuddist temple name	Gojushiho	54 steps
Hangetsu	Half moon	Jiin	Named after the saint
Gankaku	Crane on a rock	Wankan	Crown of a king
		Meikyo	Mirror of the soul