The Kata

Heian

PEACEFUL MIND

Pinan was the original (okinawan) name. Developed by Yatasune Itosu as intermediate Kata of Shorin-Ryu.  These kata had their origin in China. 

Master Funakoshi changed Pinan Nidan to Heian Shodan and Pinan Shodan to Heian Nidan.

A simple version of Heian Shodan was introduced, which is Taikyoku Shodanfor entry level students.

Bassai

TO STORM/PENETRATE A FORTRESS

From Northern Shaolin sources but from which sub-style we are not sure.  They do however, have strong Tiger Style characteristics.  The name used on Okinawa was "Passai" and it translates as "Capture the Fortress"or Penetrate the fortress (enemy’s defenses).  Bassai-Dai is penetrating the fortress while Bassai-Sho may be fighting to escape.

Kanku

TO VIEW THE SKY

Kanku (Japanese pronounciation) Kata were taught to the Okinawans by a Chinese Military Attaché to Okinawa. Master Funakoshi changed the name to Kanku which means "to view the sky".

Tekki

IRON HORSE

The Okinawan name for these kata are Naihanchi and are believed to be from the northern shaolin Tiger Style.  Tekki Shodan, Nidan and Sandan as we now call them were once a single kata.  The name means "Iron Horse". The Kiba-dachi stance used exclusively in these Kata is the main training stance of Northern Shaolin Tiger Style of Wu-Shu.

Gankaku

CRANE ON A ROCK 

White Crane form, this time taught by Master Ching-To, attaché to Okinawa from the Ming court in 1732, and so the Okinawans named it in his honor "Chinto".  Master Funakoshi later renamed it Gankaku  (the crane on a rock).

Empi

FLYING SWALLOW

A white crane Kata introduced in Okinawa from china.  The Kata is named after a chinese gentleman who introduced it ("Wanshu").

Hangetsu

CRESENT MOON

 It is named after the third Chinese Zen Patriarch but the name Hangetsu, given to it by Master Funakoshi, means "half moon" - a description of the stance.

Jutte (Jitte)

From Shaolin. The name means "ten hands". 

Jion

A classic " Shaolin Kata, complete with the "Ming" salute at the beginning. Shaolin was also named Jion-Ji by the Japanese but the literal translation of the Kanji is "to love the sound" (of Shaolin).

(HIGHER LEARNING) 

kata of

S.C.O.K.D.A

Ji-In

Another Shaolin Classic and all of the above relating to Jion apply here too. The name translates to "love of truth".

Chinte  

This Kata is one of the older ones and it's salute at the beginning betrays its Wutang origin. The final moves of this Kata are supposed to represent the ocean waves disappearing into the dry sand on the beach (not jumping of dead bodies). 

Sochin

ENERGETIC CALM 

From the Northern Shaolin Dragon Style.  The Kata allegedly demonstrates the power of "Ki" and teaches overcoming the opponent using Ki power.  

Unsu

CLOUD HANDS

Another Dragon Style Kata.  

Nijushiho

24 STEPS 

Another of Aragaki's Kata but this one is thought to have its origins in one of the Dragon sub-styles.

The name translates to "the twenty four steps". The form they are taken from is called "Kaisan". The old name was "Neseishi".

Gojushiho

54 STEPS

These Kata are a departure from the norm as they have their origin in a Southern Shaolin Style called "Phoenix Eye".  The name on Okinawa was "Useishi" but this was changed to Gojushiho - "the fifty four steps".

The Gojushiho Kata we know and practise today are as follows....

Gojushiho Sho

Gojushiho Dai

Meikyo

TO POLISH A MIRROR

Ameratsu, (a Japanese sun god) lost her mirror and could not admire herself. The other gods sent a great warrior to perform a "war dance" for Ameratsu.  Hearing the noise, she came out of the cave. The "war dance" was reputed to be Meikyo.

Meikyo translates to "mirror of the soul". The old name for Meikyo was Rohai and this is now coming back into use.

Wankan

KINGS CROWN 

Shaolin based Kata. .