KATA

Kata (Japanese: 形, or more traditionally, 型; lit. “form”) is a Japanese word describing detailed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs.[1] Karate kata are executed as a specified series of a variety of moves, with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. The kata is not intended as a literal depiction of a mock fight, but as a display of transition and flow from one posture and movement to another, teaching the student proper form and position, and encouraging them to visualise different scenarios for the use of each motion and technique. Karateka “read” a kata in order to explain the imagined events, a practice known as bunkai. There are various kata, each with many minor variations.

List of Shotokan Kata

Kata	Steps	Meaning
Heian Shodan	21	“Peacefull Mind One”
Heian Nidan	26	“Peacefull Mind Two”
Heian Sandan	20	“Peacefull Mind Three”
Heian Godan	27	“Peacefull Mind Four”
Heian Yondan	23	“Peacefull Mind Five Universe”
Tekki Shodan	23	“Iron Horse One”
Tekki Nidan	24	“Iron Horse Two”
Tekki Sandan	26	“Iron Horse Three”
Bassai Dai	42	“Penetrating the Fortress-Big”
Bassai Sho	27	“Penetrating the Fortress – Small”
Kandu Dai	65	“To look at the Sky – Big”
Kanku Sho	48	“To look at the Sky – Small”
Enpi	37	“Flying Swallow”
Jion	47	“Love (and) Goodness”
Gankaku	42	“Crane on the Rock”
Hangetsu	41	“Half Moon”
Jitte	24	“Ten Hands”
Chinte	32	“Incredible Hands”
Sochin	41	“Preserve Peace”
Meikyo	33	“Mirror of the soul”
Jiin	38	“Named after the Saint”
Gojushiho Dai	67	“54 Steps – Big”
Gojushiho Sho	65	“54 Steps – Small”
Nijushiho	24	“24 Steps”
Wankan	24	“Crown of a king”
Unsu	48	“Clouds Hands”