Kata – Nippon Karate Club

Kata is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, kata is not a performance or a demonstration, but is for individual karateka to practice full techniques—with every technique potentially a killing blow; while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm).

Shotokan Karate is comprised of 26 katas, each with their own emphasis on fast and slow or controlled and powerfull movements. Virtually all of the katas taught today in the Shotokan system have two kiai points.
The kiai or “spirit cry” as it is sometimes referred to, occurs only at certain pre-determined moments in each kata. It is precisely at these pre-determined moments that the karate-ka is required to demonstrate a total commitment of body, mind, and spirit, and to channel all of their available energy and apply it appropriately to the required technique. The kiai is a common thread that runs through all major styles of karate.

It is important for every student to remember that as they rise up through the various kyu levels and Dan ranks, the continued regular practice of all of the previous katas that they have been taught is vital to their future progress.

The following is a list of all 26 katas, number of moves, meaning and a demonstration video.

Kata	No. of moves	Kata meaning
Heian Shodan	21	“Peacefull Mind One”
Heian Nidan	26	“Peacefull Mind Two”
Heian Sandan	20	“Peacefull Mind Three”
Heian Yondan	27	“Peacefull Mind Four”
Heian Godan	23	“Peacefull Mind Five Universe”
Tekki Shodan	23	“Iron Horse One”
Tekki Nidan	24	“Iron Horse Two”
Tekki Sandan	26	“Iron Horse Three”
Bassai Dai	42	“Penetrating the Fortress – Major”
Kanku Dai	65	“To look at the Sky – Major”
Empi	37	“Flying Swallow”
Jion	47	“Temple of Jion”
Jutte	24	“Ten or Stick Hands”
Hangetsu	41	“Half Moon”
Gankaku	42	“Crane on the Rock”
Bassai Sho	27	“Penetrating the Fortress – Minor”
Kanku Sho	48	“To look at the Sky – Minor”
Nijushiho	24	“24 Steps”
Chinte	32	“Incredible Hands”
Unsu	48	“Cloud Hands”
Sochin	41	“Preserve Peace”
Gojushiho Dai	67	“54 Steps – Major”
Gojushiho Sho	65	“54 Steps – Minor”
Meikyo	33	“Mirror of the soul”
Wankan	24	“Crown of a king”
Jiin	38	“Named after the Monk”