Kyokushin Kata

Literally translated, Kata means "shape which cuts the ground" although we normally call our Kata Patterns or forms.

A Kata is a sequence of blocks, kicks and punches from one or more stances, involving movement forward, backward and to the sides.  The number of movements and their sequence are very specific.  The balance between offensive and defensive techniques, the stances used and the direction and flow of movement all serve to give each Kata its distinctive character.

Through the practice of Kata, the traditional techniques used for fighting are learned.  Balance, coordination, breathing and concentration are also developed.  Done properly, Kata are an excellent physical exercise and a very effective form of total mind and body conditioning.  Kata embodies the idea of Ren ma, or "always polishing"  with diligent practice, the moves of the Kata become further refined and perfected.  The attention to detail that is necessary to perfect a Kata cultivates self discipline.

Through concentration, dedication and practice, a higher level of learning may be achieved, where the Kata is so ingrained in the subconscious mind that no conscious attention is needed.  This is what the Zen masters call Mushin, or "no mind." The conscious, rational thought practice is not used at all,  what was once memorized is now spontaneous.

Mas Oyama said we should "think of karate as a language; the Kihon (basics) can be thought of as the letters of the alphabet, the Kata (forms) will be the equivalent of words and sentences, and the kumite (fighting) will be analogous to conversations."  Oyama believed that it was better to master just one Kata than to only half-learn many.

Mas Oyama also emphasized the three fundamental principles of Kata:

  - Waza no Kankyu: The Tempo (fast - slow) of the Techniques.  The tempo of the Kata varies, some techniques are performed quickly, while others are done more slowly.

  - Chikara no Kyojaku: The Force (strong - weak) of the Power.  The power of a technique derives from the proper balance between strength and relaxation.

  - Iki no Chosei: The Control (regulation) of Breathing.
The practice of traditional Kata is also a way for the Karateka to pay respect to the origins and history of Kyokushin Karate and the martial arts in general.

Origins & Timings

Kyokushin Kata are often categorized as "Northern Kata" or "Southern Kata," based upon their origin and development.

*The Northern Kata are similar to those found in Shotokan Karate, since they were developed from Mas Oyama's training under Gichin Funakoshi.  Master Funakoshi in turn derived these Kata from northern Chinese Kempo and Shorin Ryu, the Okinawan karate style based on Chinese Shaolin (i.e. "Shorin") Kempo.  Northern parts of China with the firm flat terrain allowed these Kata to utilize long, powerful stances and strong blocks and strikes.  The Northern Kata include:

Taikyoku Sono Ichi, Ni and San - Timing: 20 to 23secs.
Pinan Sono Ichi, Ni, San, Yon and Go - Timing: 20 to 25secs, 30 to 33secs, 20 to 25secs, 30 to 33secs and 30 to 33secs.
Yansu - Timing: 1min 2secs to 1min 5secs.
Tsuki no Kata - Timing: 36 to 39secs.
Kanku Dai - Timing: 1min 40secs to 1min 45secs.
Sushiho - Timing: 1min 15secs to 1min 20secs.

*The Southern Kata were developed from Mas Oyama's study of the Okinawan karate style of Goju Ryu under So Nei Chu, which in turn were derived from southern Chinese Kempo.  Southern parts of China with the mountains, hills and rough terrain allowed these Kata to utilize strong legs and shorter stances. The movements in these Kata are more circular and flamboyant than those in the Northern Kata.  The Southern Kata include:

Sanchin no Kata - Timing: 2min 14secs to 2min 17secs (with Kiai: 19 to 22secs.
Gekisai Dai and Sho - Timing: 47 to 50 seconds and 48 to 52 seconds (respectively).
Tensho - Timing: 2min 19secs to 2min 23 secs (with Kiai: 24 to 28secs).
Saiha - Timing: 43 to 46secs.
Seienchin - Timing: 1min 24secs to 1min 27secs.
Garyu - Timing: 38 to 41secs.
Seipai - Timing: 46 to 49secs.

Meanings of Kata

(NB: Each Kata shown has been linked to a video, as a training tool, but each group varies and you should always consult your instructor.)

*Taikyoku Creator Gichin Funakoshi, is literally translated as "grand ultimate", we call this Kata "Wide View", and in Chinese, the kanji characters are pronounced Tai Chi.  The word Taikyoku can also mean overview or the whole point; seeing the whole rather than focusing on the individual parts, and keeping an open mind or beginner's mind.  The beginner's mind is what is strived for during training and in life.  The beginner's mind does not hold prejudice and does not cling to a narrow view point.  Thus in training we have many variations on these Kata of course most Shodan would have practiced these Kata using different hand techniques or even by kicking sometimes called Tsokugi. Also, performing Kata in Ura by spinning on the forward moving techniques they are sometimes even performed backwards as a further test of coordination. The beginner's mind must always have an open view.

*Pinan Creator Itosu Anko, is the Okinawan pronunciation of the Kanji characters for peace and relaxation, we call this Kata "Safe and Secure", pronounced Heian in Japanese this pronunciation is used in other styles such as Shotokan.  Though the physical moves of Kata involve techniques used for fighting, the purpose of Kata is to develop a calm, peaceful mind and harmony between the mind, body and spirit. These Kata are also performed in Ura.

*Sanchin Developed by Chojun Miyagi from the ancient Saam Chien Quan, literally means "three wars" or "three conflicts".  It is the principal Kata in certain Okinawan karate styles, such as Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu, and it is likely one of the oldest Kata.  Certain legends attribute the original creation of Sanchin to Bodhidharma (Dharma) a Shaolin monk in the early fifth century known as the father of Kung-fu and in turn, Martial Arts. Sanchin Kata seeks to develop three elements at the same time:

- The mind, body and the techniques,
- The internal organs, circulation and the nervous system, and
- The three Ki located in the top of the head (Tento), the diaphragm (Hara), and the lower abdomen (Tanden).

Sanchin is an isometric Kata where each move is performed in a state of complete tension, accompanied by powerful, deep forced tension breathing (Ibuki) that originates in the lower abdomen (Tanden) although the Kata can be performed with or without Ibuki, we can also perform Sanchin with Nogare and slow calm quiet breath or the Kata may be performed fast with Kiai (shout) on each technique.  The practice of Sanchin not only leads to the strengthening of the body, but to the development of the inner power (Ki) and the coordination of mind, body and spirit.

*Gekisai-Dai / Sho Creator Chojun Miyagi, means conquer and occupy.  The name is derived from the characters Geki, meaning attack or conquer, and Sai, meaning fortress or stronghold (literally translated as "closed", "shut" or "covered").  The word Gekisai can also mean demolish or destroy.  The Kata' teach strength through fluidity of motion, mobility and the utilization of various techniques.  Flexibility of attack and response will always be superior to rigid and inflexible brute strength.  We perform both Gekisai-dai and Gekisai-sho.  'Dai' means big and 'Sho' means small, this is just another method of labelling Kata as an alternative to using numbers.

*Yansu means keep pure and is derived from the characters Yan, meaning safe, and Su, meaning three.  One of Mas Oyama's Favourite Kata stating that this Kata shows us the route of all technique. Striving to maintain the purity of your principles and ideals, rather than compromising for inappropriate actions.

*Tsuki-No-Kata means fortune and luck, by its very name is a punching Kata (there is only one kick and just a few blocks in the entire Kata).  Good fortune and luck does not come by waiting.  For every punch in this Kata, envision that a personal barrier is being broken down.  Strong, persistent effort directed at problems will bring good fortune, simply persevere.

*Tensho Developed by Chojun Miyagi for the older Rokkishu form, means rolling or fluid hand, literally translated as "rotating palms".  Tensho is the soft and circular (yin) counterpart to the hard and linear (yang) Sanchin Kata.  Not only was Tensho one of Mas Oyama's favourite Kata, stating that this Kata is the route of Karate power, he considered it to be the most indispensable of the advanced Kata:

  - Tensho is a basic illustration of the definition of Karate, derived from Chinese Kempo, as a technique of circles based on points.
  - Tensho should be a prime object of practice because, as a psychological and theoretical support behind karate training and as a central element in basic karate formal exercises, it has permeated the techniques,  the blocks and the thrusts, and is intimately connected with the very life of Karate.
  - A man who has practiced Tensho Kata a number of thousands of times and has a firm grasp of its theory can not only take any attack, but can also turn the advantage in any attack, and will always be able to defend himself perfectly.

*Saiha or 'Saifa' Passed down to Chojun Miyagi by Higashionna Kanryo, possibly invented or developed by his master Ryuryu Ko (Xie Zhongxiang) founder of Whooping Crane Kung-Fu, an ancestor to Karate, means extreme destruction, smashing or tearing.  The word Saiha can also mean great wave, the Tsunami, the source of the IFK logo.  No matter how large a problem is encountered, with patience, determination and perseverance (Osu) one can rise above and overcome it, or smash through and get beyond it with a strong bushido spirit.

*Kanku-Dai Creator Bushi Matsumura, means sky gazing the Kata is known as the 'rising sun'.  Literally translated, Kan means "view", and Ku means "universe", "air", "emptiness" or "void" (the same character as Kara in Karate).  The first move of the Kata is the formation of an opening with the hands above the head, through which one gazes at the universe and rising sun.  The significance is that no matter what problems are faced, each day is new and the universe is waiting.  Nothing is so terrible that it affects the basic reality of existence. This is the source of the Kanku Kyokushin logo.

*Seienchin Passed down to Chojun Miyagi by Higashionna Kanryo, possibly invented or developed by his master Ryuryu Ko (Xie Zhongxiang) founder of Whooping Crane Kung-Fu, an ancestor to Karate, means conqueror and subdue over a distance, or attack the rebellious outpost.  In feudal Japan, Samurai warriors would often go on expeditions lasting many months, and they needed to maintain their strength and spirit over a long period of time.  This Kata is long and slow, with many techniques performed from Kiba Dachi (horse stance).  The legs usually become very tired in this Kata, and a strong spirit is needed to persevere, instead of giving up.

*Sushiho Creator Bushi Matsumura, means 54 steps.  Sushiho is derived from the words Useshi, the Okinawan pronunciation of the kanji characters for 54 (pronounced Go Ju Shi in Japanese), and Ho, meaning walk or step.  Other karate styles like Shotokan call this advanced Kata Gojushiho.

*Garyu Creator Probably Mas Oyama himself, means reclining dragon.  In Japanese philosophy, a great man who remains in obscurity is called a Garyu.  A dragon is all-powerful, but a reclining dragon chooses not to display his power until it is needed.  Likewise, a true Karateka does not brag about or show off his abilities.  He never forgets the true virtue of humility.  As Oyama's first of his eleven mottoes teaches us: 'The Martial Arts way begins and ends with courtesy.'

*Seipai Passed down to Chojun Miyagi by Higashionna Kanryo, possibly invented or developed by his master Ryuryu Ko (Xie Zhongxiang) founder of Whooping Crane Kung-Fu, an ancestor to Karate, Seipai is the Okinawan pronunciation of the kanji characters for 18 (pronounced Ju Hachi in Japanese).  In other karate styles, this Kata is sometimes called Seipaite, or eighteen hands.  The number 18 is derived from the Buddhist concept of 6 x 3, where six represents colour, voice, taste, smell, touch and justice and three represents good, bad and peace.

The names and meanings of our Kata are important and should not be forgotten or ignored.  Every time a Kata is performed we recite the name of the Kata at this moment we should try focus our minds on the principles and knowledge that inspired its creation.

BKK Blackbelts Performing Tensho 3rd World Tournament.