Kata

After mastering the basic moves (kihon), you move on to the kata, the core of all karate skills. In kata, there is no wasted or meaningless movement. We emphasise repeating kata over and over again. Through constant repetition, your body learns to move automatically, effortlessly and efficiently. Over time, the techniques become unconscious, rather than deliberate mechanical movements. You can do them without thinking, which frees your mind to be still and experience the dynamics of that moment.

At the JKA, we’ve refined the kata to be more applicable in kumite sparring. Through the techniques learned in the kihon and practiced in the kata, you discover how to respond to situations naturally and freely, and apply your techniques appropriately as the circumstances demand.

And that’s when the true power of karate can be known. When your entire being —body and mind—explodes forward and downs the opponent with one blow, it is called kime. Kime is the ultimate purpose of the kihon-kata-kumite trinity.

There are accepted to be 25 kata in the Shotokan system.

Kihon, the first kata attempted by beginners, is not included in the 25 katas generally acknowledged as being within in the JKA Shotokan canon: this is because it is such a simple sequence of moves – although it won’t feel easy when you first attempt it!

1 Heian Shodan