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 "Once a kata has been learned, it must be practiced repeatedly until it can be applied in an emergency, for just knowledge of just the sequence of a form in Karate is useless" – Gichin Funakoshi

​Grading Syllabus (Kata Names and Meanings)

​Taikyo Kyu Katas

(Taikyo Kyu Katas practiced in First Six to Eight months and tested for the (9th Kyu)
1st STRIPE or RED BELT for Children)
These are the most elementary katas practiced - Developed by Master Funakoshi’s son, Gigo, Taikyoku helps new students learn basic kata principles.
Taikyo Kyu Shodan    
35 seconds
Diagram
​
Video
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Taikyo Kyu Nidan       
35 seconds
​
Diagram
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​Taikyo Kyu Sundan   
35 seconds 
Diagram
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Taikyo Kyu Yondan    
​
35 seconds      
​
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Taikyo Kyu Godan   
35 seconds 
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Taikyo Kyu Rukudan  
30 seconds
​
​
First Cause First Level             


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First Cause Second Level        

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First Cause Third Level            
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First Cause Fourth Level 

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First Cause Fifth Level
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First Cause Sixth Level

​

​Heian Katas
The word Heian is a mixture of the syllables for Heiwan and Antei = Peacefulness' and Calmness which signifies a peaceful mind, taken from the city of Heian

​See Detailed Heian Kata Diagrams
Heian Shodan
21 Moves
40--60 Seconds

Diagram
Video
​
Heian Nidan
26 Moves
​40 Seconds 

Diagram
Video
​
Heian Sandan
20 Moves
40 Seconds 

Diagram
Video
​
Heian Yondan
27 Moves
45 Seconds 

Diagram 
​Video
​
Heian Godan
23 Moves
45 Seconds   

​Diagram
Video
Peaceful Mind 1st  Level
Test Kata For The (8th Kyu)

YELLOW BELT 1st Level 


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Peaceful Mind 2nd Level
Test Kata For The (7th Kyu)

Orange Belt 

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Peaceful Mind 3rd
Test Kata For The (6th Kyu)

ORANGE BELT 2nd Level

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Peaceful Mind 4th Level
Test Kata For The (5thn Kyu)

GREEN BELT
(Click here to see Kata video)    
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Peaceful Mind 5th Level
​Test Kata For The (4th Kyu)

PURPLE BELT

​Kenseikan Katas - Exclusive

​Please click Katas below to watch:
Kensei Shodan

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Kensei Nidan

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Kensei Sandan

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Kensei Yondan

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​Kensei Godan
Power of Fist, Mind & Honesty 1st Level
​Test (8th Kyu)

YELLOW BELT ​
Power of Fist, Mind & Honesty 2nd Level
Test (7th Kyu)

ORANGE BELT 1st Level
Power of Fist, Mind & Honesty 3rd Level
Test (6th  Kyu)

ORANGE BELT 2nd Level
Power of Fist, Mind & Honesty 4th Level
Test (5th  Kyu)

GREEN BELT
Power of Fist, Mind & Honesty 5th Level
​Test (4th  Kyu)

PURPLE BELT

​ADVANCED LEVEL

Video: Tekki Shodan by Kenseikan Team in Bruce Lee's Doc. Video    

​Backbone of Shotokan KATAs
Picture
Picture
​Tekki Shodan 
23 Moves
​45 Seconds

Tekki Shodan Diagram
​
Video






Tekki Nidan 
24 Moves
​45 
Seconds
Tekki Nidan Diagram
​
Video
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Tekki Sandan
26 Moves
​45 Seconds

Tekki Sandan Diagram
​
Video
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​Bassai Dai
42 Moves
60 Seconds

Bassai Dai Diagram ​
​Video
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Bassai Sho
​
27 Moves
​60 Seconds

Bassai Sho Diagram
​
Video
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Kanku Dai
65 Moves
60 Seconds
Kanku Dai Diagram
​
Video
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​Kanku Sho 
48 Moves
60 Seconds

Kanku Sho Diagram
​
Video
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Hangetsu
​
41 Moves
60 Seconds
Hangetsu Diagram

Video

Enpi 
37Moves
60 seconds

Empi Diagram
​
Video
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​Gankaku
42 Moves
60 Seconds
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Jitte 
24 Moves
60 Seconds

Jitte Diagram
​
Video
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Jion 
47 Moves
60 Seconds

Jion Diagram
​Video
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​Jiin
38 Moves
60 Seconds
Jiin Diagram
​
Video
​
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Sochin
41 Moves
60 Seconds

​Sochin Diagram
​Video
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Goju Shi Ho Dai​
67 Moves
90 Seconds
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​

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Goju Shi Ho Sho
65 Moves
90 Seconds
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Meikyo
33 Moves
60  Seconds
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Niju Shi Ho
24 Moves
60 Seconds
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Wankan 
24 Moves
45 Seconds
​Wankan Diagram
​
Video
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Chinte
32 Moves
60 Seconds

Chinte Diagram
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Video
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Unsu 
48 Moves
60 Seconds

(Iron Horseman) Horse Riding 1st Level
Test Kata for the (3rd  Kyu) BLUE BELT  
​(Originally known in Okinawa as Naihanchi)
The katas were renamed by Master Funakoshi
upon its introduction to Japan to reflect the
strength exhibited with kiba-dachi.
Rich in fighting techniques, the Tekki family offers
a plethora of close combat techniques)   
​Also Creates a strong stance (Kiba Dachi) and develops
​the waist and torso area alike.
​
Horse Riding 2nd Level, Test Kata for the (3rd  Kyu) 
​
BROWN BELT




Horse Riding 3rd Level, Test Kata for the (2nd Kyu) 
​BROWN BELT Senior (2nd Level) one stripe



​
To penetrate a Fortress (Major), 
Also means Credit where it is due
Test Kata for the (1st Kyu)
BROWN BELT Senior (2nd Level) one stripe  
The strong techniques of this kata emphasize
hip movement.
Some resemble a battering ram being used
against fortress walls.
 
This kata signifies the internal battle for control of the
self
​(Sentei kata).

To penetrate a fortress (Minor) 
This kata was derived from Bassai-Dai.
​It has a similar performance line.

(Advanced - Nakayama)


Vewing the Sky (Major),  (1st DAN) Test Kata Plus all the Katas
learnt above and One Kata from below
BLACK BELT    
​Most of the elements of the Heian Kata were derived from this kata.
The first movement in this kata views the sky, which symbolizes
the universe and shows your opponent that you are unarmed.
It was Master Funakoshi’s preferred kata. 
​
Shitei Kata)​
​
​Viewing the Sky (Minor) (Advanced - Nakayama)




​
Half Moon This kata received its name from its
principal stance, hangetsu dachi (half moon stance) 
​
(Advanced - Nakayama)​



Flying Swallow The quick up and down movements of
this kata are reminiscent of a fling swallow. Enpi is one of
the oldest kata in Shotokan. Its former name was Wanshu. 
​
(Shitei Kata)



Crane on a rock.   The main stance in this kata (tsuruashi
dachi) resembles a crane ready to strike at its prey.
The movements are supposed to simulate a fight in the
narrow alleyways of Okinawa.
The former name of this kata was Chinto
.   
​(Advanced - Funakoshi)​
​
Ten Hands (sometimes spelt JUTTE) 
The goal of this kata is to teach a student to
fight against ten opponents.
This is a strong kata, similar to jion and Jiin.  
​
(Advanced - Funakoshi)


​From the temple of Jion  (love and goodness) 
​Jion is a term in Buddhism.
It is also the name of a temple in China.
It uses basic stances and techniques.
It is one of the most traditional kata in Shotokan. 

(Sentei Kata)

Temple grounds  (love and shadow) 
Jiin is another term in Buddhism.
It has similar techniques and performance line as Jion. 
Also could mean "Temple Grounds" referring to
​JIon-Ji (monastery)  
(
Advanced - rare)

Strength and Calm ("Reason profound"-Funakoshi)
The name of this kata comes from its stance
(sochin dachi), a strong, rooted stance.
The purpose of this kata is to teach defense
against a stick. Its former name was Hakko. 
​
(Advanced - Nakayama)

Fifty four steps – big)  This kata is one of the most
advance kata of Shotokan.
Master Funakoshi called it hotaku (knocking of a
oodpecker) because some of the techniques resemble
a woodpecker tapping its beak against a tree
.
​(Advanced - Nakayama)

Fifty four steps – small) This is a smaller version of Goju Shi
Ho Dai. It is also one of the most advanced kata of Shotokan   
​
(Advanced - Nakayama)

Bright mirror The first movements of this kata suggest the smoothing
of water to make it as calm and even as a mirror. The triangle jump
at the end of this kata is said to have a secret meaning
​portending to a miracle. 

(Advanced - Nakayama)
​
Twenty-four steps The movements in this kata resemble waves
breaking on a cliff. The former name of this kata was
ni sei shi. 
​
(Advanced - Nakayama)

King and crown (or King's/Emperor's Crown).  
Wankan is the shortest kata in Shotokan  
​
(Advanced - rare)



Rare hand.   Chinte has a lot of circular and roundhouse techniques.
These are rare and are not typical of the shortest distance between
two points concept of Shotokan. 
​
(Advanced - Nakayama)​


Cloud hands.  Unsu has several techniques that symbolize parting
the clouds with open hands. It is also one of the most advanced
kata of Shotokan. 
​
(Advanced - Nakayama)
​
Importance of learning Kata correctly: "In the past, it was expected that about three years were required to learn a single kata, and usually even an expert of considerable skill would only know three, or at most five, kata.” – Gichin Funakoshi (founder of Shotokan Karate)
Techniques
Terminology
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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Shotokan Karate
  • Grading/Lessons
    • TERMINOLOGY
    • TECHNIQUES
    • KATAS
  • Publications
  • Testimonials
  • Medal 🏆 Winners
  • Media
    • PHOTOS
  • Instructors
    • SENSEI
    • SENPAI
  • Contact / Join
  • Youtube Channel
  • Facebook-Education
  • Sensei's Blog
  • Members
    • VIDEOS