KATAS

The Tai Kyoku Exercises were created by Gichin Funakoshi as basic introductory movements in preparation for the more advanced katas.  

 Wunsu Kata - Strong Arm- Dumping Form

The originator of Wansu is not known. It is believed that it was named and composed by Okinawan martial artists as a tribute to the Chinese emissary Wanshu who was in Okinawa around 1685. Through time and difference in translation the kata has also become known as Wansu, Ansu, Unsu and Unshu. The kata strongly emphasizes the use of left and right arm punches, for which reason it is called Strong Arm form. Tatsuo Shimabuku later referred to the kata as Dragon Boy or Dumping form.         

Anaku Kata - A Swallow on the Beach and Pivoting Form

Anaku represents a swallow walking and turning overlooking the ocean. It is also known as expression pivot and turning form. The katas origin is unknown; however, it is believed to have been re-composed by Chotoku Kyan in Okinawa around 1895. Head snapping before turning; and te and tekatana ukes should be strong and obvious when performing this kata.

O'Naihanchi Kata Sho, Ni, & San - Iron Horse - Missing Enemy Form

There is no record of who originated the Naihanchi Kata. Although there is evidence that the form was imported from China and developed by Shuri-ryu stylists in Okinawa; it has been accepted as an international form which is performed in the main styles of Karate, Kempo and Taekwon do today. Also, because of the kata's complexity and length, it was divided into three sections for student learning and for practice. We do know that the three katas was practiced as one single kata by Master Sokon Matsumura around 1825. Naihanchi was however handed down to Matsumura from earlier times. This kata was also the favorite form of Yusutsune Itosu (1830-1915. Around 1895, Master Choki Motobu popularized the kata by daily performing the three forms as one kata at least five hundred times. The three Naihanchi katas performed as one became known as Motobus Kata, and he is said to have stated many times, "There is only one kata necessary to develop and excel in karate, and that is Naihanchi as one." The form was developed as a defense against four to eight opponents, with performer pinned against a wall defending to the right, left or from the front, but never from the rear. The original name for this kate is Naihanchi, which means "Iron Horse", but it is more commonly referred to as Iron Horse-Missing Enemy form. Other names for this kata are Naifunchin, Teki and Chulgi. In this kata the beginning symbolic movements mean, "I gather within me all forces of earth. I look up and ask the heavens for perfection of self. I instill its force and energy into my body."

San Chin kata - Original Pupil Breath and Three Conflicts Form

Erh-lu-chuan was the ancient Chinese name given to this kata, which has experienced only moderate changes in performance since the kata's inception nearly thirteen centuries ago by Zen Buddhist monks. Sanchin has also been known through its historical years by the names Chi schich and San schich. In Okinawa, Sanchin was called Bodhidharm's "Ju hachi rakan shoukyo", the name referring to the eighteen techniques of hand movement used to train students while using also the abdominal breathing and the theories of intrinsic energy to defeat their opponents. Sanchin kata is also referred to as the kata of the "Three battles of life" or the three conflicts, birth, survival, and death.

Empi-Sho Kata - Flying Swallow or First Elbow Form

Introduced by the Sappushi Wanshu and extensively practiced in Tomari. The flying swallow form is believed to have been brought to Okinawa around 1685 by a Chinese emissary. The form is referred to as Wanshu, Empi, Enpi and/or first elbow form.

Tsue Sho Kata - The way of the Bo Form

The bo staff is approximately 2.6 cm. In diameter and over 50 inches in length, slightly tapered at both ends. There are at least twelve different bo forms that are believed to have been composed by Tode Sakugawa (1733-1815), and later improved on by Suekata Chogun around 1765.

Bassai Dai Kata - Breaking the Giant Enemies Circle or Breaking Through the Fortress Form

The Bassai or Pasai katas are believed to have been originated and composed strictly for King Cyado Mari of the Ryu kyu Islands, for his personal body guards' us in saving his life against enemy encounters. The katas were being taught by Kosaku Matsumora, in Tomari, Okinawa around 1869. The forms were the favorite of Bushi Matsumura, Choki Motobu, Chotoku Kyan and Chosin Chibana. Bassai Dai was also known as Paisai Dai and Tawada no Paisai. The hidden and symbolic interpretations in Dassai deal with the ruler elements, when both hands, palm down, are brought back to shoulder level,with the forearms perpendicular to the floor, just before the execution of the double backfist strikes: "I bring the beating waves upon my body (blood flow), and release the heated steam (breath) that turns into a burning fire in my lower stomach (saika tanden).

Go Pei Sho Kata - Advanced Tearing Peacock Form

Go Pei Sho represents a peacock preparing to defend itself. As it slowly opens its wings, it goes into a series of wing-striking and clawing attacks that are intended to blind the attacker. Go Pei Sho was inherited from the Chinese movements of Master Li Tsun I, of the Hopei School, also called Goka Ta Ken, from which stems Okinawan Karate. The kata was later restored to its present and original form by Master Robert A. Trias. Since it is basically Chinese in movement, it was first known as Hopei-sho or Kujaku form. Go Pei Sho's beginning hidden and symbolic movement is that of a peacock slowly opening its wings and preparing to attack. The symbolic meaning pertains to the water ruler element and means "Through my fingertips I receive streams of energy that I will direct deep into my lower stomach, and which must flow uninterrupted throughout my entire body"

Dan Enn Sho Kata - Cutting and Clawing Through Fire or Tsume Form

Kata Dan Enn Sho represents five of the twelve animal styles of the Hsing yi system (feel of the human mind or intellectual fist. The movements of the eagle, crane, hawk, snake and tiger are very obvious. Dan Enn Sho, like Gopei Sho, was inherited from the movements of the Chinese Master Li Tsun Yi (Tsun I) of the Hopei school. The Hopei schools were also caqlled Goka Ta Ken, from which stems all Okinawan Karate. The kata was later restored to its present and original form by Master Robert A. Trias. Ddan Enn Sho's symbolic interpretation is right before and just after the kiai in the last movement of the kata, meaning "I reach out with my hand for the divine force and obtain reality and self-liberation. I gather passive energies (yin-chi), press them into my lower stomach and reach enlightenment".

Kan Ku sho Kata - Flowing Lagoon-Sky Form

The originator of Kan Ku Sho is not known.  It is believed that   the kata was named and composed by Yasutsune Itosu and taught extensively in Okinawa by Itosu's most advanced student Chibana.  It can be assumed that the kata is over 120 years old.  It is practiced internationally by most ryus and the name Kan Ku Shu means sky obervation(small) form.  It is commonly referred to as looking at the sky or flowing lagoon form.  Other katas with similar movements are Ku san ku (Kusokun) and Kan ku dai (sky observation (great) form.

Te-Katana Kata - Gimku Chu-Knife-Sai Form

The original name for Tekatana was Gimku chu, and it was originally performed with a short sword callee tanto.  Later it became a sai form as we know it today. Tekatana is believed to have been inherited by Shang Tsao Hsing around 1840, and was developed into its present form by Masters Tung Gee Hsing and R. A. Trias.  Te Katana's symbolic movement occurs in the beginning, when both hands assume the praying position (gasho) and open in front of the solar plexus (left over right palms down position), and are pressed down to the lower stomach before crossing over to draw swords (sais).  The earth ruler element which deals with the body is inbolved.   "At this moment and for the rest of my life, I shall always have awareness of thought, the sensation of my entire body, the flow of my blood, the beating of my heart, the energy that passes through my lungs, and the calmness of my body and mind."

Ten Sho Kata - Thousand Hands-Heaven Breath Form

There are three Ten katas.  Ten literally means heaven, sky, air, heaven's will, or nature.  The first kata is named Tensho, which means motion of hands,  but is often referred to as "The Kata of the Universe", " Thousand Hands", "Heaven and Breath", "Earth Reflecting Heaven" and "Ten Hands" form.