Meaning of the name Basic Kata 1 Moves: 24

Kihon Kata Ichi

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Taikyoku Kata of Shotokan or Goju-ryu. Kihon Kata Ichi is very similar to the Taikyoku Shodan of Shotokan. However, the Uke techniques of the Kihon Kata are performed in Neko Ashi Dachi, with Yoko Uke (Uchi Uke) being the fundamental technique of all Kihon Kata. An alternative name is Dai Dosa.

Meaning of the name Basic Kata 2 Moves: 30

Kihon Kata Ni

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Kihon Kata Ni follows the concept of Kihon Kata Ichi. Instead of Neko Ashi Dachi, Zenkutsu Dachi is used, and after each Yoko Uke, a Mae Geri is additionally performed.

Meaning of the name Basic Kata 3 Moves: 30

Kihon Kata San

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Kihon Kata San follows the concept of Kihon Kata Ichi. Instead of Neko Ashi Dachi, Zenkutsu Dachi is used, and Gedan Barai is performed before each Yoko Uke.

Meaning of the name Basic Kata 4 Moves: 30

Kihon Kata Yon

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Kihon Kata Yon follows the concept of Kihon Kata Ichi. Instead of Neko Ashi Dachi, Zenkutsu Dachi is used, and after each Yoko Uke, Jodan Uke is performed.

Meaning of the name Kata of the sky Moves: 24

Ten no Kata

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

The Fukyu Kata were created to teach beginners in karate. Two Kata were created. Shoshin Nagamine is the founder of Fukyu Kata Ichi and it is representative of Shorin-ryu karate. In some schools, it is called Ten no Kata, which means Kata of Heaven. The entire Kata is practiced in Zenkutsu Dachi and Hanzenkutsu Dachi. The Kata is simply structured and reminiscent of the Taikyoku Shodan from Shotokan. However, with Oi zuki Jodan and Gyaku zuki, it contains more diverse techniques than the Taikyoku Kata. Nevertheless, it is easier to learn than, for example, the Heian Shodan of Shotokan. Another great advantage is that all techniques are performed with both the right and left sides. This trains both sides of the body equally, which is very important at the beginning of karate training and especially for children.

Meaning of the name Kata of the Earth Moves: 26

Chi no Kata

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-ryu, developed the two Kata Gekisai Dai Itchi and Gekisai Dai Ni around 1940. The Gekisai Dai Ichi is identical to the Fukyu Kata Ni, thus completing the Fukyu Kata system. His Kata represents the Shorei-ryu or Naha-te school. However, the Kata is not a typical Shorei Kata, but rather a kind of link between Shorei and Shorin. The Fukyu Kata Ni is also known as Chi no Kata, which means "Kata of the Earth." It contains frequent alternations between high and low techniques, allowing for quite demanding and versatile bunkai. In this Fukyu Kata, too, all techniques are performed equally on the left and right hand. The Fukyu Kata are therefore of great importance in basic physical training. However, their value is often underestimated. Both Kata also demonstrate the extensive, physiologically profound, and valuable considerations of the two masters, Shoshin Nagamine and Chojun Miyagi, in developing these Katas. By no means did they simply design a basic Kata, but rather carefully considered the form the Kata should take to achieve the desired effect.

Meaning of the name Peaceful Mind 1 Moves: 31

Heian Shodan (Pinan Shodan)

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Officially, the Heian Kata were developed by Yasutsune Itosu to teach karate to the public in elementary schools. However, there are also claims that the Heian Shodan and Heian Nidan originated from Sokon Matsumura. In fact, the Matsumura school on Okinawa only practiced Heian Shodan and Nidan. This means that there were originally only two Heian Kata. It is also said that the Heian Nidan was developed because the Heian Shodan was ultimately deemed too difficult for the beginning of karate lessons. After all, karate was to be taught in groups and school classes and not in the otherwise typical one-on- one lessons, where the difficulty of the Kata was not important. What is certain, however, is that the Heian Kata are not exclusively based on the Kushanku or Kosokun Dai (Kanku Dai). Many techniques originate from other Kata. For example, the first technique of the Heian Shodan can be found in the old Chinto. The complete combination at the beginning of the Kata, however, is reminiscent of a Sochin technique from the Aragaki school. In fact, only the end of the Shotokan version of Heian Shodan, with the Shuto Uke, can be attributed to Kushanku. In earlier times, the Heian Kata were called Pinan, but this is simply the Okinawan term for "peaceful mind."

Meaning of the name Peaceful Mind 2 Moves: 25

Heian Nidan (Pinan Nidan)

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

The Heian Nidan is a much more fundamental Kata than the first- created Heian Shodan. It contains only individual techniques, is shorter, and easier to learn. It is therefore more suitable for teaching at the beginning of karate studies. In Shito-ryu schools, it is taught before the Heian Shodan. In Shotokan, however, the names of the two Heian Kata were reversed, so that the original Heian Shodan became the Heian Nidan, and the historical and simpler Heian Nidan became the Heian Shodan. This repeatedly leads to confusion. In Shotokan, however, almost all of the old Kata have been modified and some have been renamed. Although the Heian Nidan appears to be a very simple Kata at first glance, it actually contains very sophisticated techniques. The bunkai is by no means so simple, and some techniques can only be performed with excellent timing and correct physical application. The beginning of the Kata is reminiscent of the beginning of the Kata Chinte. However, this is no longer included in the Shotokan equivalent of the Kata, the Heian Shodan.

Meaning of the name Peaceful Mind 3 Moves: 28

Heian Sandan (Pinan Sandan)

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Empi-Uke can be found in Gojushiho and Chinto, where it is practiced in Heiko-Dachi without the subsequent Uraken. However, the techniques at the end of the Kata, with Ushiro-Empi, are reminiscent of the Naha-te Kata Seienchin! The Fumikomi technique only exists in the Shotokan version.

Meaning of the name Peaceful Mind 4 Moves: 32

Heian Yondan (Pinan Yondan)

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Only Heian Yondan shows a clear relationship to Kushanku. The Hiza- Geri technique near the end, however, can also be found in a similar form in the Chinte Kata. Heian Yondan is the first of the Heian Kata to feature deliberately slow techniques. It also contains many two-handed techniques. These are less to be seen as blocking techniques and more as lever or throwing techniques. Unlike Heian Sandan, which teaches release techniques from holds or clasps, Heian Yondan teaches the application of corresponding holds, clasps, or throws. The Kata is also very dynamic with a forward- facing fighting style. It has a consistently offensive character and also teaches attacks from a distance. The Empi Uchi, which follows the Mae Geri (Yoko Geri in Shotokan), is a very dangerous and destructive technique. It follows the same principle as the Zukis in Chinte, where one hand is placed on the back of the target to be hit, which prevents evasion or retreat and thus potentiates the effect of the technique.

Meaning of the name Peaceful Mind 5 Moves: 32

Heian Godan (Pinan Godan)

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

The Heian Kata series concludes with the Heian Godan. It contains techniques from Tomari Chinto and Patsai and is a very dynamic and versatile Kata. It contains many techniques that work with the body's torque. When performed correctly, these develop very high levels of power. One of the fundamental secrets of karate is the generation of high power through correct physical application. The expenditure of muscle power is relatively low. Nevertheless, a surprisingly high level of force is generated, which is why the ancient masters were considered physically very strong. The biomechanically correct execution of the technique must therefore be the primary goal when practicing the Kata. Timing and speed of the technique are also extremely important. A technique only has optimal effect when executed at the right time. When using throwing techniques, the speed of the technique is of fundamental importance. Once this speed has been mastered, in combination with the correct physical application, throwing techniques become surprisingly simple. Heian Godan incorporates many of these special aspects of karate. However, the realistic application of kata techniques must be understood in order to truly practice them with the correct application. A purely athletic, fast execution of kata does not do justice to this and hinders the development of masterful technique.