Karate Shito Ryu Kata List

[Allison Sturgis]

Thetable contains a comparison of karate styles. Some of the distinguishing features are listed, such as lineage, general form of stances, the balance of hard and soft techniques, and the number and names of kata forms.

The four major karate styles developed in Japan, especially in Okinawa are Shorin-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Goju-ryu; many other styles of Karate are derived from these four.[1] The first three of these styles find their origins in the Shorin-Ryu style from Shuri, Okinawa, while Goju-ryu finds its origins in Naha. Shuri karate is rather different from Naha karate, drawing on different predecessor influences. Shito-ryu can be regarded as a blend of Shuri and Naha traditions as its kata incorporate both Shuri and Naha kata.[2]

Some later styles of karate have been derived from blending techniques from the four main branches, while others have added techniques from other martial arts. For example Kyokushin, which is an extremely hard style derived from Shotokan and Gōjū-ryū, involves much more breaking and full contact, knockdown sparring as a main part of training.[3]

Shito-Ryu is one of the main styles of karate, founded by Kenwa Mabuni in 1931. Shito-Ryu combines elements of several ancient styles and includes a large number of katas. In fact, there are over 60 katas in Shito-Ryu, but we often refer to the 53 main katas of this style. Here is a list of some of the most common Shito-Ryu katas:

Kata is one of the three Ks of Ken Shu Dojo Karate (along with Kihon and Kumite). Kata is a series of movements including stances, blocks, strikes and kicks which are combined into a powerful flowing form.

Karate kata are intricate choreographed sequences of movements that form the essence of traditional martial arts practice. These patterns serve as a repository of knowledge, transmitting centuries-old techniques, principles, and philosophies from one generation to the next. Kata training involves precise execution of strikes, blocks, kicks, and stances in a predetermined order, promoting discipline, focus, and muscle memory.

Each kata tells a unique story, symbolizing various combat scenarios and strategies. They are not just physical routines but also a spiritual and mental exercise, emphasizing mindfulness and self-control. Practitioners aim to perfect their kata, striving for fluidity, balance, and precision in every movement.

Shukokai Shito-Ryu karate katas, compared to other karate styles, emphasize compact and efficient techniques. They blend elements of Shotokan and Goju-Ryu, featuring shorter stances and faster movements. Shukokai Shito-Ryu katas prioritise practicality and speed, focusing on close-quarters combat, making them distinct within the diverse world of karate.

The five katas follow a sequence designed to introduce the beginner to kata and to progressively introduce more techniques as the student advances. The series incorporates almost all of the basic stances and many of the basic techniques of the various Okinawan systems of karate, thereby making the Pinans suitable for beginners and intermediates. Mastering each form requires years of practice in order to understand the finer points of each movement. Although the Pinans do not contain symbolic movements often seen in more advanced kata, there are a variety of combat interpretations for several of the basic techniques included in the forms. Understanding the techniques and their usage against the attacker will help the student to take away a practical application from the Pinans.

This database of the Wado Ryu katas is intended to become a valuable (hopefully) resource for dojo students and Wado Ryu karateka in general. The creation of each kata diagram is very labor intensive so progress will be somewhat slow, please be patient in that respect.

Remember, the best instruction you can receive in the martial arts is hands-on training by a qualified instructor. This database is not meant to replace instruction by a Black Belt. It is intended to assist students, training away from the dojo, when they cannot remember the next move in a kata and a Black Belt is not available.

This is more than just a sport. Instead, karate is a way of life, with teachings that lean heavily towards moral and mental aspects to allow people to become the best versions of themselves. At the same time, students are taught how to deliver powerful blows and block attacks in the name of self-defense rather than violence.

The four main karate styles are Goju-ryu, Shotokan-ryu, Wado-ryu and Shito-ryu. Each form is derived in some way from the karate established by Gichin Funakoshi. Each one has its own techniques that rely heavily on the core tenets of karate in general. However, they offer ways for each style to distinguish itself and cement itself as a main style of karate while displaying the differences.

This style of karate is an offshoot of Shotokan-ryu and is all about the harmony of movements, being rather similar to the martial art jujitsu. Hienori Otsuka created this spiritual form of karate in 1939. Rather than focusing on contact sparring, it teaches students how to move the body to avoid attacks. As a way of distinguishing itself from other karate styles, this fluid form of karate uses shorter stances compared to other ones.

This fourth style, called Shito-ryu and created in 1928 by Kenwa Mabuni, is all about landing powerfully accurate strikes. A high emphasis is placed on technique in this styles, as evidenced by the fifty katas students learn, which are predetermined moves for attacks and defense that student must perfect. Oftentimes, these katas are demonstrated as part of competitions and students can be tested on them. This particular style requires physical strength and strong stances to perform the moves.

Besides these four main branches of karate, there are also others that should be included in the differences between karate styles. Shorinji-ryu, Kyokushin-ryu, Shorin-ryu, Uechi-ryu and Isshin-ryu are among the other forms although there are also others. While these are not as well known, they are no less important or respected as part of karate history and community.

How do we define Shotokan? Kihon (basics), Kata (forms) and Kumite (fighting). Techniques in kihon and kata are characterized by deep, long stances that strengthen the legs in an effort to promote stability and powerful movements. Linear movements followed by straight punches (oui-tsuki or gyaku-tsuki); hard blocks and snapping kicks (with the occasional yoko-geri kekomi) are taught in Kihon training and reinforced through kata. Kumite expands upon the lessons of Kihon, but sadly seems to have become divorced from kata due mostly to a lack of emphasis on self-defense in favor of tournament contests.

Clearly those deep, strong stances came to us from the old masters of Okinawa through Master Funakoshi, right? Well, maybe not. The photographs below of Master Funakoshi from his 1922 book Tote Jitsu show the stances before modern competition. Notice how high the three stances are compared to what we do today (photos on next page). 3

The story goes that Master Itosu created the Pinan Katas to teach to school children, deriving the five Kata from the more complex Kanku-Dai and advanced Katas and removing the "dangerous" applications. Master Funakoshi learned the Pinan Katas from Master Itosu and, having made some modifications, renamed them "Heian"; a name with similar meaning but more acceptable to the Japanese mainland culture.

school children and beginners. According to Patrick McCarthy Sensei "Itosu established the Pinan in 1905"5 but they were "introduced into the school system in 1908"6. John Sells Sensei puts the introduction of the Pinan "from about 1902 to 1907"7. Clearly Master Itosu had been developing and teaching the Pinan Kata to his adult students well before it was "dummied down" to make it safe for children.

This investigation, albeit brief, confirms in my mind two things: first, the Heian Katas as we know them today have evolved from a more practical self-defense orientation to the current emphasis on competition "styling". This can be seen in the photos of Master Funakoshi performing the Pinan Katas in his 1922 book Tote Jitsu. Second, it is my belief that the Pinan/Heian Katas have much more to offer the Shotokan practitioner than simple exercise. Applications to these Katas should be explored by the advanced student and, in turn, taught to the beginning student as a means to defend him/herself. The Katas were intended to teach to beginners; I see no reason why the practical applications should be withheld until the student reaches the Yudansha level, or as is more typical, not taught at all. 6

Several sources indicate that the Naihanchi Nidan & Sandan Katas were created by Master Itosu. Interestingly, Wikipedia notes that some researchers believe that it was originally one longer Kata broken down into smaller parts. The Wikipedia authors cite the change in the opening ready stances for Nidan & Sandan as support for this theory.

Regardless of what theory one chooses to believe, the three Naihanchi Kata were crucial to the studies of the great masters. Master Funakoshi notes in several books how he spent nine years studying the three Naihanchi before being allowed to move to a different Kata. "Before Heian was invented Tekki was the first kata for the Shorin ryu (fore-father of Shotokan) practitioners for many years."17 Choki Motobu found the kata so important that it was the only kata he passed on to his son, Chosei.18

Whatever the intent of the original Kata may have been, it was clearly important to the early practitioners that the applications be thoroughly understood; why else spend three years on each version? As Master Funakoshi tells us, the practice of "Te" was done in secret; hardly necessary if it was just a matter of getting the stance right or scoring a point. Also, the emphasis on "Do" was introduced to the art after it was accepted by the Japanese mainland, "The linking of Okinawan fighting arts and of Japanese karate-jutsu and karate-do to Buddhist religion or philosophy, especially Zen, is a modern innovation and one that is considerably newer than the systems it allegedly spiritually invigorates. In particular, the quasi-Buddhist teachings that are sometimes associated with Japanese karate-do are without foundation in the original form established by Funakoshi."20 It seems logical to assume that the applications to these Kata were being practiced diligently, unlike the "pure" Shotokan of today.

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