KATA

(Picture of kata list in Goyu-Kan Hombu taken by Tony Willis Sensei)                                   

    Kata (型 or 形, form) is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs.  Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater forms like Ryukyuan Dance and schools of tea ceremony, but are most commonly known for their presence in the martial arts.  Kata are used by most traditional Japanese and Okinawan martial arts and and especially in karate-do. 

    Kata are the foundation of traditional Okinawan Karate-do.  The true meaning and spirit of karate are embedded in kata and dedicated practice of kata is the only way we can truly understand them.  

    Goju-Ryu kata are choreographed sets of movements, put together over many years by our predecessors, to facilitate teaching, practice, and study of basic and advanced techniques.  Each kata has unique characteristics and must be learned and studied under the guidance of a qualified instructor.  Kata are living guides in which karate's techniques and philosophy are passed down. The practice of kata provides the practitioner a study reference, sense of structure, flow, and possible applications to use in conflict.  Bunkai (分解, analysis or disassembly), is the analysis or interpretation (oyo-bunkai) of kata movements.  After the analysis of kata, karate-ka usually practice two or more person drills to ingrain the application into muscle memory. 

    The kata taught in Goju-Ryu are rather traditional and in most organizations are emphasized more than actual kumite. This emphasis in kata includes an emphasis in bunkai application, the actual self-defense application of the kata movements.  When performing kata the student should imagine he or she is being attacked and is responding to a threat.

SANCHIN

- Sanchin is the fundamental kata of Goju-Ryu.  The purpose of this kata is to train the three essential elements of Budo: ki, breathing, and body (or the mind, the body, and the spirit).  Additionally, Sanchin is a form of moving and standing meditation.

GEKISAI DAI ICHI and NI

- These kata were developed by Chojun Miyagi Sensei in 1941 for beginners, and incorporation into the junior high school education programs.  

SAIFA

Kanji: 砕破- Katakana: サイファー (to destroy and defeat): This is usually the first advanced Goju-ryu kata the student learn in most Goju kaiha, after the Gekisai kata.  I understand this to be the first of the series brought to Okinawa by Higaonna Sensei.

SEIYUNCHIN

Kanji: 制引戦- Katakana: セイユンチン (Attack, Conquer, suppress; also referred to as to control and pull into battle): Seiyunchin demonstrates the use of techniques to unbalance, throw and grapple, contains close-quartered striking, sweeps, take-downs and throws.

SHISOCHIN

Kanji: 四向戦- Katakana: シソーチン (to destroy in four directions or fight in four directions): It integrates powerful linear attacks and circular movements and blocks.

SANSEIRU

Kanji: 三十六手 - Katakana: サンセイルー (36 Hands): This kata teaches how to move around the opponent in close quarters fights, and emphasizes the destruction of the opponent's mobility by means of kanzetsu geri.

SEPAI

Kanji: 十八手 - Katakana: セイパイ (18 Hands)

KURURUNFA

Kanji: 久留頓破 - Katakana: クルルンファー (holding on long and striking suddenly)

SEISAN

Kanji: 十三手 - Katakana: セイサン (13 Hands)

SUPARINPE

Kanji: 壱百零八 - Katakana: スーパーリンペイ (108 Hands): Also known as Pechurin, it is the most advanced Gōjū-ryū kata. 

TENSHO

Kanji: 転掌 - Katakana: テンショウ: Tensho was created in 1921 as "softer sanchin" by Chojun Miyagi to balance Go aspect of Sanchin kata with a Ju variation.  Tensho means "revolving hands."  It is a combination of hard dynamic tension with deep breathing and soft flowing hand movements.