Regulation Kata

The karate ryu (school) of Shotokan founded by Funakoshi Gichin, has 26 katas to exclude the Taikyoku kata. These kata were standardized by Nakayama Masatoshi, 1st head master of the Japan Karate Association and Abe Keigo sensei’s grandmaster and teacher.

Kata can be described as being a set of prearranged offensive and defensive moves, utilized against an imaginary opponent or opponents. The explanation of the moves or series of moves within the kata are called ’bunkai’. Kata, along with Kihon (basics) and Kumite (sparring) are an integral part of the style and are used by the karate-ka in their lifelong path of study and learning as they search for a perfection of character through an understanding and appreciation of ‘budo’.

Modern Name    Original Name           Kihon   Taikyoku Shodan   Heian Shodan   Pinan Nidan   Heian Nidan   Pinan Shodan   Heian Sandan   Pinan Sandan   Heian Yondan   Pinan Yondan   Heian Godan   Pinan Godan   Tekki Shodan   Naihanchi Shodan   Bassai Dai   Passai   Kanku Dai   Kushanku/Koshokun   Jion   Jion   Empi   Wanshu   Hangetsu   Seisan/Seishan   Chinte   Shoin   Jitte   Jitte   Bassai Sho   -   Kanku Sho   -           Ganhaku   Chinto           Jiin   Shokyo   Tekki Nidan   Naihanchi Nidan   Tekki Sandan   Naihanchi Sandan   Sochin   Hakko   Wankan   Hito/Shiofu   Meikyo   Rohai   Nijushiho   Niseishi   Unsu   Unshu/Unsu   Gojushiho Dai   Useshi/Hotaku   Gojushiho Sho   -