Introduction to Kata

Kata- refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements made to be practiced
alone. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training. It is practiced
in Japanese Martial arts as a way to memorize and perfect the movements being executed.

Kata are also used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theatre forms like kabuki and
schools of tea ceremony, but are most commonly known in the martial arts. Kata are used by
most Japanese and Okinawan Japan, such as jaido, judo, kendo, kenpo, and karate.

Kata originally were teaching and training methods by which successful combat techniques
were preserved and passed on. Practicing kata allowed a company of persons to engage in a
struggle using systematic approaches, rather by practicing in a repetitive manner the learner
develops the ability to execute those techniques and movements in a natural, reflex-like
manner. Systematic practice does not mean permanently rigid. The goal is to internalize the
movements and techniques of a kata so they can be executed and adapted under different
circumstances, without thought or hesitation. A novice's actions will look uneven and difficult,
while a master's appear simple and smooth.
Kata is a loanword in English, from the 1950s in reference to the judo kata due to Jigoro Kano,
and from the 1970s also of karate kata; but the word has come to be used as a generic term for
"forms" in martial arts in general, or even figuratively applied to other fields.
In Japanese martial arts practice, kata is often seen as an essential partner to randori training
with one complementing the other. However, the actual type and frequency of kata versus
randori training varies from art to art. In jaido, solo kata using the Japanese sword (katana)
comprises almost all of the training. Whereas in judo, kata training is de-emphasized and
usually only prepared for dan grading
In kenjitsu, paired kata at the beginners’ level can appear to be stilted. At higher levels serious
injury is prevented only by a high sensitivity of both participants to important concepts being
taught and trained for. These include timing and distance, with the kata practiced at realistic
speed. This adjustability of kata training is found in other Japanese arts with roles of attacker
and defender often interchanging within the sequence. Many martial arts use kata for public
demonstrations and in competitions, awarding points for such aspects of technique as style,
balance, timing, and verisimilitude (appearance of being real).
Karate
The most popular image associated with kata is that of a karate practitioner performing a series
of punches and kicks in the air. The kata are executed as a specified series of approximately 20
to 70 moves, generally with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form.
There are perhaps 100 kata across the various forms of karate, each with many minor
variations. The number of moves in a kata may be referred to in the name of the kata, e.g., Gojū
Shiho, which means "54 steps." The practitioner is generally counseled to visualize the enemy
attacks, and his responses, as actually occurring, and karateka are often told to "read" a kata, to
explain the imagined events. Kata can contain techniques beyond the superficially obvious
ones. The study of the meaning of the movements is referred to as the bunkai, meaning
analysis, of the kata.

One explanation of the use of kata is as a reference guide for a set of moves. Not to be used
following that "set" pattern but to keep the movements "filed". After learning these kata, this set
of learned skills can then be used in a sparring scenario (particularly without points). The main
objective here is to try out different combinations of techniques in a safe environment to
ultimately find out how to defeat your opponent.

Recently, with the spread of extreme martial arts, or XMA, a style of kata called CMX kata has
formed. These kata are performed in tournaments and include gymnastics related elements,
such as backflips, cartwheels, and splits. These kata can also be performed with weapons such
as the bō staff.

Judo

Judo has several kata, mostly created in the late 19th century by Kanu Jigoro, the founder of
judo. The judo kata involve two participants. Judo kata preserve a number of techniques that
are not permitted in competition or in randori, including punches, kicks, and the use of
the katana and other weapons. The study of kata is usually begun typically at around the green
belt level. The most commonly studied judo kata is Nage-no-kata, which consists of fifteen
throwing techniques. The Katame-no-kata is composed of pinning techniques, chokes, and joint
locks. Kime-no-katais a long kata consisting of self-defense techniques against both unarmed
attacks, and attacks with swords and knives.

Non-Japanese Martial Arts

Sport
Karate as sport has been on a steady incline since the late 1960s. It provides a method
of testing your abilities in a controlled environment. The sparring is fast paced not only for the
spectator, but requires precision skills and control by the competitor. In karate you pull your
technique, scoring points by showing the judges what you could do in self-defense situation.
The kata competition show the combination of grace and power in technique through a series
of choreographed movements that represent the competitor defending themselves in a multi
attack environment. Both provide a sense of self accomplishment and build confidence by
performing in front of their peers.

Japanese Command Terminologies

English Japanese
Attention Kiotsuke (sounds like Key-oh-zoo-kay)
Basic Techniques Kihon (sounds like Key-hon)
Belt Obi (sounds like Oh-bee)
Block Uke (sounds like Oo-kay)
Bow Rei (sounds like Ray)
Breathing exercise Kokyu Ho
Elbow Enpi (sounds like En-pee)
Focus Kime
Foot Ashi (sounds like Ah-she)
Form or Pattern Kata (sounds like Ka-ta)
Form (Kata) Technique Bunkai ( sounds like Boon-kay)
Application
Front Mae
Goodbye Sayonara (sounds like Sa-yoh-na-rah)
Hand Te (sound like Tay)
Head Atama (sounds like Ah-ta-ma)
Kata Starting Point Embusen or Enbusen
Kick Geri (sounds like Geh-ree)
Knee Hiza (sounds like He-zah)
Knife Hand Shuto (sounds like Shoe-toe)
Left Hidari (sounds like Hee-da-ree)
Low (Level) Gedan (sounds like Geh-dan)
Mat (Practice/Training Mat) Tatami (sounds like Ta-ta-me)
Meditate Mokuso
Middle (Level Chudan (sounds like Choo-dan)
One More Time Mo ichi Do (sounds like Moe E-chee
Doe)
Pulling Hand (bringing hand back Hikite
to ready position)
Punch Tsuki or Zuki (sounds like Zoo-key)
Right Migi (sounds like Mee-gee)
School (Martial Arts) Dojo( sounds like Doe-Joe)
Senior Student Senpai (sounds like Sen-Pie)
Shout or Yell Kia (sounds like Key-eye)
Side Yoko (sounds like Yoh-Koh)
Snap Keage
Sparring Kumite (sounds like Coo-meh-tay)
Stance Dachi (sounds like Dah-chee)
Stop Yame sounds like Yah-may)
Strike Uchi (sounds like Oo-chee)
Sweep Barai (sounds like Baa-rye)
Teacher/Instructor Sensei (sounds like Sen-say)
 Technique Waza (sounds like Waa-Zaa)
Thrust Kekomi
Turn Around Mawatte (sounds like Ma-wa-tay)
Uniform Gi sounds Ghee)
Upper (Level) Jodan (sounds like Joe-dan)
1 ichi
2 ni
3 san
4 shi
5 go
6 roku
7 shichi
8 hachi
9 ku
10 juu

Three Basic Stances

The Distance in width between the front and back foot in this stance is twice the width of
the hips. The left knee is bent fully while the right leg is extended. The toes of the front foot are
pointing forward and slightly inward. The toes of the back foot should be pointing in the same
direction at the front ones. The sole of both feet should be flat almost adhering to the floor. The
legs are kept tight by the action of both knees pushing in an opposing direction. The muscles of
the abdomen should be tense and the upper body kept straight. The center of gravity is slightly
forward ratio of weight distribution between the front and back leg is 6:4.

Back Stance

The back leg is bent fully-same as Straddling Leg Stance and the front leg is extended
but not locked. The toes of the front foot are pointed forward. The toes of the back foot are
pointing to the side and slightly forward. Both feet are approximately at a right angle to each
other. This is similar to Straddling Leg Stance (KIBA-DACHI) except that the feet are pointing in
different directions and one leg is extended. The upper body is kept straight and sideways. The
ration of the weight distribution between the front leg and the back leg is as follow 3:7.
Straddle Leg Stance

One of the most used stances in Shotokan Karate Do. The distance from on foot to other
is two times the shoulder width. The edges of the foot parallel. Tension on the knees is pointing
outside and the buttocks are pushing up.

Maddocks Martial Arts Perform the Basic Kata 1-3

REFERENCES

Ms Marjorie Abisado-Robbins, RCrim and Dr. Manuel V. Jaudian Basic Self Defense with
Illustration, Wiseman 2021, Books Trading, Quezon City, Philippines
Working Out Karate, Jeff Savage, 1995 Silver Burdett Press, Crestwood Parisppany, New
Jersey
Vargas, Nelson; Tran, Quac, Street Rapid Defense Systems. 2008, Wiseman's Books Trading,
Quezon City, Philippines
Teves, Marlon L., Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for Criminology Students and Law Enforcers. 2013,
Wiseman's Books Trading, Quezon City, Philippines
2020 Francisco, Greg Mabbayad. Shotokan Karate A Guide in the Fundamentals of Martial Arts
with Disarming Techniques for Criminology Students
2015 Emerson, Clint 100 deadly skills: the seal operative's guide to eluding pursuers, evading
capture, and surviving any dangerous situation
World Karate Federation (Rules of Competition May 2000)