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Heian Shodan
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Peaceful - First Step
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Stepping, in front and back stance. Changing direction.
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21 Moves
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Heian Nidan
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Peaceful - Second Step
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Introduces sword & spear hand techniques. Reverse blocking.
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26 Moves
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Heian Sandan
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Peaceful - Third Step
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Complicated turning/footwork. Close distance techniques.
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20 Moves
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Heian Yondan
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Peaceful - Fourth Step
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Teaches balance and control. Side kicks and back stances.
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27 Moves
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Heian Godan
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Peaceful - Fifth Step
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The first jump, encountered among the 26 kata, is found here.
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23 Moves
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Tekki Shodan
Tekki Nidan
Tekki Sandan
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Iron Knight or, Steel Horse or, Steel Horse Riding.
The kanji refer to "land between two rice paddies" and "battle", or "war"
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These kata are performed solely in horse riding stance (Kiba Dachi). Provides for strong knee development. Side to side combat. Snappy head motions. The kanji suggests fighting techniques
used by a horseman in combat, or from the back of a horse.
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29 Moves
24 Moves
36 Moves
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Bassai - Dai
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"Extract from a fortress", "rescue" (Big Bassai)
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Large scale techniques with wide motions. Frequent reverse postures with snappy hip motions.
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42 Moves
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Kanku - Dai
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"The view of the sky" (Big Kanku)
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The longest of Shotokan Kata, Kanku-Dai is a compilation of all the Heian. It is thought to be the Shotokan parent kata. The 2 level double kick is encountered here.
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65 Moves
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Jion
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"Temple" - from a temple named "Jion-Ji"
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A large scale and simple kata with familiar single technique and single step combinations. Simple to learn for one who has mastered the Heian and Tekki kata.
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47 Moves
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Empi
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"Flying Swallow"
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Contains the first difficult jumping technique, combined with a knife hand block. Best suited for light, agile students. Very athletic kata.
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37 Moves
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Gankaku
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"Crane Standing Upon a Rock"
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Balance and control. Much use of one legged stance.
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42 Moves
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Jutte
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"Ten Hands"
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Some techniques are indicative of "bo or staff fighting techniques.
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24 Moves
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Hangetsu
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"Half Moon" or "Half Month"
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Named after the Half Moon Stance "Hangetsu Dachi". Contains many slow, tensed motions requiring breathing exercises of the performer. Hardens the body against a blow.
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41 Moves
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Bassai - Sho
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"Extract from a fortress", "rescue" (Little Bassai)
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Unique emphasis on stick defenses and counters. Neko ashi dachi is encountered here.
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27 Moves
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Kanku - Sho
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"The view of the sky" (Little Kanku)
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Contains many double punches and stick controlling techniques. The mid section is the prime target area
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47 Moves
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Chinte
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"Unusual Hands"
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Use of elbow strikes, scissors punch, and 2 finger punch help give Chinte it's name. Thought to be more appropriate for women, having strikes indicative of using technique more than raw
power.
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32 Moves
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Sochin
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"Grand Suppression" or "Energetic calm"
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Smooth with a powerful and heavy rhythm. Stance is mostly Fudo Dachi with remainder of kata in Kokutsu Dachi. Muso-Gamae & Manji-Gamae postures.
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41 Moves
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Nijushiho
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"Twenty-four Steps"
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Sanchin Dachi (inward tension stance) is introduced in this kata.
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34 Moves
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Meikyo
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"Bright Mirror"
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The opening technique has the performer pull both both palms up to their face and look in them, as if they are looking into a mirror. Derived from the Rohai kata in Okinawa.
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33 Moves
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Gojushiho - Dai
Gojushiho - Sho
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"Fifty-four Steps" (Big Gojushiho)
"Fifty-four Steps" (Little Gojushiho)
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Some interesting techniques include the "Flowing Cloud Block", the "Flowing Water Back Fist Posture", and the "Chicken Head Wrist Block". The kata should convey the idea of a bird attacking
its foe with its beak, wings, and claws. Smooth and flowing techniques when performed well.
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62 Moves
65 Moves
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Unsu
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"Cloud Hands"
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The most intense and acrobatic of the 26 kata, it is arguably the most beautiful to watch. It's ground techniques, and a 360 degree turn, leaping into the air, are indicative of it's degree
of difficulty.
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48 Moves
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Wankan
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"Kings Crown"
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The shortest of the 11 advanced katas, it contains smoother and lighter movements than what is typically encountered in Shotokan kata.
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24 Moves
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Jiin
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"Temple Grounds"
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Although more complex and difficult than "Jion", Jiin contains many of the same movements. Where "Jion" has simple stepping movements, Jiin contains many twists and turns that add to it's
difficulty.
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35 Moves
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