Why Kata? Kata is the soul of karate. Kata are far more than a series of techniques. Each Kata contains its own system of fighting, its own method, style, whatever you want to call it. However, this isn't obvious, as the techniques are never fully executed. Like an iceberg, most of the Kata is invisible. The actual application isn't trained in Kata; at best, it's "thought" of. Nevertheless, Kata training is suitable for creating the physical prerequisites for actually using the techniques in a real fight. This, however, requires years of training. Mastering a Kata is more than just performing it perfectly.

Many masters who are able to teach a variety of Kata usually only name one or a few Kata as their tokui Kata – the Kata whose fighting system they prefer. This will never be a Kata that does not suit the physical stature or character of that master. You can't master a multitude of Kata, but you can practice a variety of Kata. If you like Kata, each one is more beautiful than the last. Eventually you will find one you prefer. Whether it belongs to the style you are training or have learned is not important. The main thing is that you like it. In general, one could say that karate is defined more by the Kata than by the school or the karate style. Many Kata have been modified to fit the basic concept of the karate style that uses them. Not every Kata suits every body, and not every karate style is appropriate for everyone. I think every orthopedic surgeon would agree with me when I say that body-appropriate karate is preferable to style-appropriate karate. By this, I don't mean that style-appropriate karate can't also be body- appropriate. But if the anatomy of the hip does not tolerate yoko-geri, then one should practice a karate style, a Kata, or a version of a Kata (kanku-dai = yoko-geri, kosokun dai = mae- geri) that does not include yoko-geri.