Shotokan – 26 Katas
Shotokan students study 26 kata across the different stages of grading. Each form presents its own technical challenges and requires consistent practice.
Each kata arranges techniques, movement and rhythm in a defined sequence. Study includes both performing the form and understanding its applications.
Katas
HEIAN SHODAN (平安初段)
PEACE(hei) and TRANQUILLITY(an) – First
HEIAN NIDAN (平安二段)
PEACE and TRANQUILLITY – Second
HEIAN SANDAN (平安三段)
PEACE and TRANQUILLITY – Third
HEIAN YONDAN (平安四段)
PEACE and TRANQUILLITY – Fourth
HEIAN GODAN (平安五段)
PEACE and TRANQUILLITY – Fifth
TEKKI SHODAN (鉄騎初段)
IRON HORSEMAN (tetsu=iron, ki=horseman) – First
TEKKI NIDAN (鉄騎二段)
IRON HORSEMAN – Second
TEKKI SANDAN (鉄騎三段)
IRON HORSEMAN – Third
BASSAI DAI (披塞大)
BREAK THROUGH THE FORTRESS – Long
KANKU DAI (観空大)
GAZE AT THE SKY (kan=look, ku=nothingness, emptiness, sky) – Long
jutte/JITTE (十手)
TEN HANDS (ju=ten, te=hand)
HANGETSU (半月)
HALF MOON (han=half, getsu=moon)
ENPI (燕飛)
FLIGHT OF THE SWALLOW (en=bird, pi=flight)
GANKAKU (岩鶴)
CRANE ON THE ROCK (gan=rock, kaku=crane upon)
JION (慈恩)
LOVE and GRATITUDE (ji=universal love, tender, gentle; on=love, benevolence, kindness)
BASSAI SHO (披塞小)
BREAK THROUGH THE FORTRESS – Short
KANKU SHO (観空小)
GAZE AT THE SKY – Short
CHINTE (珍手)
RARE/STRANGE HANDS (chin=strange, unusual, te=hand)
UNSU (雲手)
CLOUD HANDS (un=cloud, su=hand)
SOCHIN (壯鎭)
UNSHAKEABLE PEACE (so=robust, vigorous, energetic, chin=suppress, remain calm)
NIJUSHIHO (二十四步)
24 STEPS/MOVEMENTS
GOJUSHIHO DAI (五十四歩大)
54 STEPS – Long
GOJUSHIHO SHO (五十四歩小)
54 STEPS – Short
MEIKYO (明鏡)
CLEAR MIRROR (mei=clear, kyo=mirror)
JIIN (慈陰)
PROTECTIVE LOVE (ji=universal love, tender, gentle, in=shade)
WANKAN (王冠)
CROWN OF THE KING (wan=king, kan=crown)
Fundamental Techniques
Stances (Dachi)
Fundamentals of Shotokan Karate stances
Leg Techniques
Kicks and fundamental leg techniques
Hands and Feet
Hand forms and foot techniques
A Lifetime of Study
The 26 Shotokan katas represent a complete universe of martial knowledge. Each kata has its own personality, history and lessons to teach, providing a lifetime path of learning.
