The meaning of Kata in Japanese is Shape and Form.
It is a collection of strikes, kicks, and blocks depicting a defensive and counter-attack movements against single or multiple attackers. Kata training requires endless efforts in repeating each Kata with an ultimate goal of perfecting the moves, timing, and finishing of each Kata.
In accordance with Japan Karate Association, there are 26 known Kata.
The best reference for these Kata(s) is the JKA Standard Kata Videos or Best Karate Series 1 through 11 by Masatoshi Nakayma.
- Peaceful Way (1) Heian Shodan(2) Heian Nidan(3) Heian Sandan(4) Heian Yondan(5) Heian Godan.
- Iron Horse (6) Tekki Shodan(7) Tekki Nidan(8) Tekki Sandan
- To penetrate a fortress(dai=big, sho=small) (9) Bassai Dai(10) Bassai Sho
- Viewing the sky (11) Kanku Dai(12) Kanku Sho
- Flying Swallow (13) Empi-Named after the temple(14) Jion
- Named after the saint (15) Jiin
- Half moon (16) Hangetsu-Crane on a rock(17) Gankaku
- Ten hands (18) Jitte-Incredible hands(19) Chinte-24 steps(20) Nijushiho
- Preserve Peace (21) Sochin-Hand of a cloud(22)Unsu
- 54 steps (23) Gojushiho Dai(24) Gojushiho Sho-Crown of a king(25) Wankan
- Mirror of the soul (26) Meikyo
Download Kata Videos:
- Heian Shodan
- Heian Nidan
- Heian Sandan
- Heian Yondan
- Heian Godan
- Tekki Shodan
- Tekki Nidan
- Tekki Sandan
- BassaiDai-new
- BassaiSho-new
- KankuDai-new
- KankuSho-new
- Empi-new
- Jion-new
- Jitte-new
- Hangetsu
- GojuShihoSho
- Sochin-new
- Gankaku-new
- NijuShiho-new