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List of Shotokan Katas

KATA (Forms)

Heain Katas 1-5
Heian Shodan
Heian Nidan
Heian Sandan
Heian Yodan
Heian Godan

Tekki Katas 1-3
Tekki Shodan
Tekki Nidan
Tekki Sandan

More advanced
Bassai Dai
Empi
Jion
Kanku Dai

Bassai Sho
Chinte
Gankaku
Gojushiho Dai
Gojushiho Sho
Hangestu
Jiin
Jitte
Meikyo
Nijushiho
Sochin
Unsu
Wankan

Kata Meanings:

  • Taikyoku: First Cause
  • en-No-Kata: Kata of the Universe
  • Heian: Peaceful mind
  • Tekki: Iron Knight
  • Bassai: Storm the Fortress
  • Sho: Lesser, small
  • Dai: Greater, big
  • Jion: Temple Ground
  • Jiin: Temple Sound
  • Kanku: To look at the sky
  • Hangetsu: Crescent or Half moon
  • Empi: Flying Swallow
  • Chinte: Extraordinary Hands
  • Jitte: Ten Hands
  • Gankaku: Crane on a rock
  • Sochin: To keep the peace; Grand Suppression
  • Nijushiho: Twenty-four steps
  • Shorei Kata: Light and quick; emphasizing agility and speed
  • Shorin Kata: Slow, hard, and strong; emphasizing muscles and strength