GoJu-Te | Kata

Kata is, in its purely "physical" nature, a pattern of pre-determined movements, containing blocks, hand strikes and kicks arranged in logical and practical sequence. The predetermined movements in kata allow the student to practice alone and to perfect his or her basic technique. That is, to perfect the basic elements of karate - the hand strike, the block and the kick. Kata has evolved through centuries of practice and combat experience by the old masters of China, Okinawa and Japan.

Kata is not combat. Sequential kata techniques are not intended to replace the spontaneous counter attack required in actual combat. Combat is too unpredictable to be reduced to a pre-arranged counter strategy that the pre-arrange counter movements offer. The sequential techniques of kata, however, are intended to sharpen the student's basic techniques (including balance in motion) that are in turned spontaneously applied in actual combat situations.

The practitioner will notice that one of the key features of kata, and the one symbolizing the peaceful nature of karate as an art and way of life, is the fact that every kata begins with a defensive technique. If it does not the karate style does not have its origin in Okinawa.

Kata Historicaly

Today it is impossible to trace, with any scientific degree of certainty, the exact development (especially the origin) of kata save the fact that its present form originated in China. We do know, however, that the old Chinese masters, in addition to their actual combat experience, studied the combat techniques and movements in the fighting between animals. The old masters' combat experience and the fighting techniques of animals have been incorporated into the kata by adopting the general sense and movement of particular animals.

Kata is the nucleus of the art of karate. Kata is what distinguishes karate from mere kickboxing. Kata is a measurable expression of the discipline of karate. There can be no karate without kata. Indeed, there is no "art" without kata. The spirit of karate is discovered in the kata; in its movement and in its expression of technique. It is usually discovered when the student is quietly practicing kata alone.

Go Ju Ryu Kata

Almost all of the GoJu Ryu kata were handed down to Chojun Miyagi from Master Higashionna. Higashionna had studied and trained for many years under the Chinese Master Ryu Ryu Ko in Fukien Province, China. Today we know that the following kata were handed down to Higashionna from Ryu Ryu Ko: Sanchin, Saifa, Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Sepai, Kururunfa, Seisan, and Suparinpei. The original creators of these kata are unknown although there is a good chance that Master Ryu Ryu Ko invented some if not all of these. (Note, however, Ryu Ryu Ko may be a name that was invented by Master Higashionna in order to protect Ryu Ko's real identity. The reason(s) for this are unknown.)

Master Chojun Miyagi invented three new kata, Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, and Tensho. It is believed that Gekisai Dai Ichi and Dai Ni were developed in order to popularize karate among young people of Okinawa. These two kata are somewhat easy to learn but at the same time they do provide the basis for the later more advanced techniques in the advanced traditional GoJu Ryu kata.

Many of the kata names are Chinese numbers symbolizing Buddhist concepts. For example, Suparinpei (the number 108 in Chinese) that has special significance in Buddhism. It is believed that man has 108 evil passions, and so in Buddhist temples on December 31st, at the stroke of midnight, a bell is rung 108 times to drive away those spirits.

The number 108 in Suparinpei is calculated from 36 X 3. The symbolism of the number 36 is given in the explanation of Sanseru, which follows. The number 3 symbolize past, present and future.

Another example is the kata Sanseru, written in Chinese characters, is the number 36. Symbolically it is calculated from the formula 6 X 6. The first six represents eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and spirit. The second six symbolizes color, voice, taste, smell, touch, and justice. The kata Sepai, similarly, is symbolized by the number 18. It is calculated from 6 X 3. The six here is the second six of Sanseru. The three represents good, bad, and peace.

Master Higashionna developed Sanchin but later Master Miyagi made small adjustment and improved it. Miyagi's Sanchin although preserving the essence of Higashiona's Sanchin, its performance requires a different use of muscles, leading to a more symmetrical muscle development. This is important for optimum use of the body, and especially in the prevention of injury to the back and other areas.