History of Kata Like so many other things, the origins of most Kata are lost in the sea of the past. What is certain is that the origin of Kata, as a form of training, can be traced back to a monk named Bodhidharma. His gymnastic exercises to strengthen the body laid the foundation for the later development of martial arts in the Shaolin Monastery and their spread as Wu Shu. It wasn't until the beginning of the 17th century that knowledge of this form of fighting and its techniques reached Okinawa. Over the course of 300 years, the techniques and Kata of

modern-day karate emerged, primarily in the towns of Shuri, Tomari, Naha, and Niigaki. The Okinawan Kata, in particular, differ so much from their Chinese origins that one can speak of the development of a form of martial art that is at least distinct from Wu Shu. To what extent, in addition to the Kata brought to Okinawa by Chinese masters, Okinawa developed its own, i.e., nationally typical Kata is unknown. It is highly likely that such developments did occur. What is certain, however, is that all Kata have undergone more or less significant changes over the course of their history. It is therefore virtually impossible to determine whether an authentic form, i.e., the form established by the founder of the Kata, can still be found. This is particularly evident in the example of the Kata Kushanku and Patsai (Bassai). Both Kata are among the oldest Okinawan forms and exist today in many, sometimes very different, variations. On the one hand, it would of course be interesting to see the original version of a Kata, but on the other hand, everything—whether natural, human, or human achievement—is subject to constant change. Some changes require more time, some less, some perhaps generations. Without constant change, there is no further development. However, the pursuit of further development is the foundation that has brought humanity to its current way of life, civilization, and technology. In this sense, the change and further development of Kata is, to a certain extent, a natural endeavor of those who are seriously involved with martial arts and Kata.