Karate Kata
"Kata, or forms, are composed of a series of moves and techniques arranged in
set sequences, in which the many defensive and counter-offensive techniques of Shotokan are
employed, through the range of stances against imaginary opponents. They are performed on
one's own therefore, and students in a kata class performing a particular kata will
practice each move as a group, but independent of one another, along the particular
kata's embusen, or line(s) of movement."
A SHOTOKAN KARATE BOOK OF FACTS (VOL. 1)
| Clive Layton, Michael Randall, Michael Harvey |
Shoto Publishing: ISBN 09530287 0 4 |
All Karateka should study the Ten Points of the Kata and consider these when practising each Kata
The Ten Points of the Kata
- YOI NO KISIN - the spirit of getting ready. Be prepared for your opponent in the Kata.
- INYO - the active and the passive. Consider both attack and defensive aspects of the Kata.
- CHIKARA NO KYOJAKU - use of strength. Balance your power in relation to the movements in the Kata.
- WAZA NO KANKYU - speed of movement. The speed of each movement in the Kata.
- TAI NO SHINSHUKU -expansion and contraction. The form of the body in the Kata.
- KOKYU - breathing. Understand breath and posture control in relation to the movements in the Kata.
- TYAKUGAN - targeting. Know the purpose of each movement in the Kata.
- KIAI - shouting. Demonstrate good martial spirit in the Kata.
- KEITAI NO HOJI - positioning. Movement and stance in the Kata.
- ZANSHIN - alertness. Retaining your guard (alertness) for the whole of the Kata, and beyond.
