Wadoryu Kata, In order of Syllabus
Pinan series
Pinan ‘peaceful period’.
The five Pinan kata were developed by Yasutsune-Itosu in 1903.
The Pinan katas form the basis of our Kyu grade training and remain with us throughout our karate journey.
Kushanku
Kushanku
A kata created by Sakugawa-Kanga and named after the famous Chinese Shaolin martial-artist, Kung-Shian-Chun who visited Okinawa in 1762.
Many believe that the Pinan kata series have been created from the content contained within Kushanku.
Naihanchi
Naihanchi ‘Stealth Stepping’
A kata based on the movements of Naifanchi, a Kata developed by karate master Choki Motobu.
The practitioner is in ‘Naihanchi Dachi’ when performing this kata.
Seishan
Seishan ‘Thirteen Hands’
Seishan is an Okinawan-te kata that was originally taught as the first kata in the 1900’s.
It uses fast and slow movements, with a focus on controlled breathing and correct ‘Seishan’ stances.
Chinto
Chinto ‘Fight to the East’
An advanced kata which according to legend was named after a Chinese sailor whose ship wrecked on the Okinawa coast.
This kata is characterised by one legged stances (sagi ashi dachi) with one leg kicking techniques.
Dan Grade Kata
Bassai
Bassai ‘Thrust asunder‘ or to remove an object.
A kata which has links to the Chinese Leopard forms. In Wadoryu we practise this ‘Leopard’ style version encouraging speed and fluidity.
Wanshu
Wanshu ‘Wang Xiu’
This kata’s roots originate from Taiwan and was introduced to Okinawa in 1683.
Named after a Chinese emissary, Wang-Ji and developed as an Okinawan Tomari-te kata by Karate Master Matsumura-Soken.
Ni-Sei-Shi
Ni-Sei-Shi ‘Twenty Four’
Refers to the twenty-four contact strikes contained within the kata.
Rohai
Rohai ’Vision of a crane’
A Tomari-te style kata developed by Karate Master Matsumura-Soken.
The Temple Kata’s
Ji’tte ‘Temple Hands’
A Tomari-te kata named after a Buddhist Temple and developed by Karate Master Itosu Yasutsune.
Ji’han ‘Temple Sound’
A kata named after the Buddhist Temple Ji’han-ji and developed by Karate Master Itosu Yasutsune.
Ji’in ‘Temple Ground’
A kata of the Shuri-te school of Karate, developed by Master Itosu Yasutsune.
Named after the Shaolin Temple, Ji’in-ji.
Suparinpei
Suparinpei ‘One hundred and eight’
This kata was introduced to Okinawa from the Fukien Province in China over 100 years ago. Involves fast and slow complex movements with harmonised breathing control. The most advanced of the 13 Goju-ryu Kata developed by Karate master Chojun-Miyagi. Contains 108 fighting movements symbolising, it is said, the 108 desires/temptations (violations) of man, as listed in Buddhist doctrines