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Shotokan Karate Kata

Shotokan Karate Kata

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At the heart of Shotokan is its kata. After arriving in Japan from Okinawa various forms of kumite (sparring) were introduced, including free sparring which led to the establishment of competitive karate. This development has added a new challenge to the karate ka and has arguably played a major part in helping to spread the art to an international audience. Leading from this the former UFC World Light Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida emerged from a Shotokan / point fighting background to use his elusive counter-striking style to dominate his division until defeated by Mauricio Rua after winning 16 straight MMA fights.

But when karate first came to Japan, and in its birthplace of Okinawa, kata were the main focus of study, along with conditioning exercises. Gichin Funakoshi sensei talks about how in his early years of practice he would train well into the night repeating the movements of the kata until his teacher was satisfied with his performance. Throughout his life Funakoshi sensei expanded the range of Shotokan karate kata to its current standing, while also modifying movements as he saw fit (and which may have been subsequently modified by other practitioners). Each kata then has its own history and each karate ka has his own interpretation both of how the kata should be performed and how the movements should be applied in a combative situation. There is no 'right' way to either do the kata or apply the movements. No historical records are currently available to settle the matter one way or the other. Personally I feel that the kata are alive and ever-changing and should provide stimulation for the student rather than be seen as something dead and static and unavailable for change.

Below you a list of names of the Shotokan kata and links to videos of each kata performed by Master Kanazawa.

Heian Shodan
Heian Godan
Bassai Dai
Jion
Gankaku
Nijushiho
Gojushiho Sho

Heian Nidan
Tekki Shodan
Bassai Sho
Jiin
Chinte
Unsu
Hangetsu

Heian Sandan
Tekki Nidan
Kanku Dai
Enpi
Sochin
Wankan
SPACE

Heian Yondan
Tekki Sandan
Kanku Sho
Jitte
Meikyo
Gojushiho Dai
SPACE

Although the Shotokan karate kata are demonstrated by Hirokazu Kanazawa sensei I have omitted Koryu Gankaku as it is an addition made to the syllabus exclusively introduced by Kanazawa sensei to his own organization. Koryu Gankaku is the older form of Gankaku (previously known as Chinto and before that as Mukandi). For more information on this kata refer to Kanazawa sensei's book Karate: The Complete Kata.

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