Kata

Kata is a set of pre-determined movements which consists of defensive and offensive techniques performed in a particular sequence. Each movement and technique in a kata is made up of selected elements suitable to circumstances of real world fighting. Kata are developed and scientifically improved over the course of time by karate masters.

A kata is performed alone against imaginary opponents. It serves the purpose of developing good posture, execution of techniques and mental focus. Each step of the Kata needs to be analysed and understood before the karate practioner can apply it to real fighting. Kata embeds strategies of fighting designed to expose different parts of the opponent's body and follow-up with offensive techniques.

First 4 steps of the Pinhan Shodan Kata

In karate, the kata always begins with a defensive technique rather than an offensive one. As an art of self-defence, this reinforces the the philosophy of 'karate ni senti nashi' which is 'there is no first attack in karate'. In an advent of a fight, it is best to avoid it altogether.

Until recently, the kata were kept secret and were not practised in public by karate practitioners. In the past, kata were only taught by karate masters to only a handful of trusted students. Many ancient kata were also lost because of this secrecy. During that time, kata forms the major part of training in karate.

In Shito-ryu , there are all eighteen Shorin-ryu kata, all the sixteen Shorei-ryu kata, the Chinese white crane kata, plus the kata devised by Master Kenwa Mabuni himself from his broad knowledge and experiences, a total of more than sixty kata (depending on the organization).

Realplayer video clip on the Bassai-dai Kata!