This is the second in a series of kata (the others being Shodan and Sandan) that was once the backbone of the Shuri te school of karate from which Shotokan emerged.

Though the Tekki kata are now split into three and performed separately, author Nathan Johnson (click here for more information from Nathan Johnson related to Tekki Shodan) has argued persuasively that the three kata should be linked together in one unbroken form. The ending of Shodan and the beginning of Nidan, as well as the end of Nidan and start of Sandan, are therefore 'false' beginnings and endings.