Japanese Terms for Body Parts and Sections – Front View by Kyoshi Tanzadeh
Aragaki ha Unshu
Unshu (雲手), literally “cloud hands”, It contains many intricate hand techniques, such as the Ippon Nukite (one finger strike) in the opening sequence. Unshu was created by Seisho Aragaki sometime around 1860-1870. Aragaki was a Japanese and Chinese language interpreter to … Continue reading
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Kururunfa ( 久留 頓 破 ) Kata
Kururunfa ( 久留 頓 破 ) is an advanced kata from Nahate system brought back from China which was handed down to Higaonna Sensei. It features evasive as well as grappling maneuver and very quick movement.
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Myojo (明 浄) Kata
Myojo Myojo means “morning star” however, the Kata derived its name from the name of the Japanese High School where Kenwa Mabuni Sensei attended to teach the students self defence. The Kata contains the self defence sequences that Mabuni Sensei … Continue reading
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Aragaki ha Sochin
Sochin (壯鎭) (“Tranquil Force”) The rhythm of the kata is dynamic, it is characterized by slow, deliberate movements interspersed with explosive out-bursts of speed. Sochin in Shitoryu version, it employs several stances including nekoashi-dachi and Moto dachi . Rhythm is … Continue reading
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Shisochin (四向鎮) Kata
Shisochin is a symmetrical kata from Nahate system which has been introduced in Okinawa through Higaonna Sensei when he returned from his trip from Fujian of China. It begins with Sanchin dachi when applying three successive nukite zuki. There is a predominance of … Continue reading
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Bassai Dai (拔 塞 大) Kata
Bassai Dai «To breach a Fortress» This kata belongs to Shuri-te, from master Anko Itosu school summing up basic techniques with combination of attack and defense in serial movements. Forcefulness, strong spirit and overflowing power are manifested in this … Continue reading
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Chinto (鎮 東) Kata
Chinto (meaning approximately “fighter to the east”) is an advanced kata practiced in Shitoryu Karate. It is named after a Chinese sailor whose ship crashed on the Okinawan coast. It is known that the kata Chinto was well-known to the early Tomari-te and Shuri-te schools of Karate. The kata is very dynamic, … Continue reading
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Seipai ( 十 八 ) Kata
Seipai is an advanced kata from Naha-te system which has been introduced in Okinawa through Higaonna Sensei, with it’s fairly slow tempo and rooted stances, particularly the use of Sanchin Dachi and Shiko Dachi. There are many effective techniques for … Continue reading
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Niseishi (二十四) Kata
Niseishi (二十四) (Twenty four steps) is an advanced kata practiced in Shitoryu karate. It originates from the Aragaki group “Tomari-te and is shown through the similarity to Unshu and Sochin kata of Master Seisho Aragaki of Tomrai region. One of the characteristics of this … Continue reading
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Tensho “転掌” Kata
Tensho “転掌” it means “rotating palms”, or “turning palms. This kata emphasizes the soft aspects of “Naha-te” system and encompasses continuous, flowing movements. Tensho, along with its harder counterpart Sanchin, was created in 1921 as “Softer Sanchin” by Master Chojun Miyagi from … Continue reading
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Papuren (八 步 連) Kata
Papuren (八 步 連) (also pronounce Happoren or Paipuren means “Eight steps at the same time”) is a kata of karate which was introduced by a White Crane Kung fu expert in the island of Okinawa from master Wu Xian … Continue reading
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Juroku (十六) Kata
Juroku «Sixteen», the word Juroku literally means ‘16’. This kata was made in the year of Showa 16, so it was named juroku’16’ in Japanese. There is no other meaning to this kata. It is a relatively modern kata developed … Continue reading
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Heian (平安) Kata
Heian or “Pin-an” Way of peace (literally, “Great Peace”, sometimes translated as “Calm Mind”, “Peaceful Mind”). The Heian kata series was introduced into the Okinawan School District karate program as gym training from 1905 to 1907 by Master Ankoh Itosu. … Continue reading
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Jion (慈恩) Kata
Jion 慈恩 (“Mercy” or “Merciful sound”) is a representative kata in group of Master Itosu of Shuri-te system because of the importance of the perfection of the basic stances it contains. Jion with Ji’in and Jitte are group of katas … Continue reading
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Suparinpei (壱百零八) Kata
Suparinpei (壱百零八) is one of the original Kata from Ryu Ru Ko Sensei while he was in Fuzchou in the Fukien Province of Southern China and was handed down to Kanryo Higaonna Sensei. Visually it is similar to the Chinese White Crane Kata and the Kempo Kata of … Continue reading
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Nipaipo (二 十 八 歩) Kata
Nipaipo «Twenty Eight Steps» Nipaipo is created by Master Kenwa Mabuni and is a simplified version of “Nepai” of Master Wu Xian Crane Fist ( Go Kenki ). This kata contains foot works and large scale of consecutive movements. Nipaipo … Continue reading
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Matsumora ha Rohai (鷺牌) Kata
Matsumora ha Rohai «Vision of a Heron» «Kosaku Matsumora version» The name translates approximately to “vision of a Crane” or “vision of a Heron”. This kata was originated from the Tomari-te school of Okinawan martial arts. It was called Matsumora … Continue reading
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Tomari Chinto (泊鎮東) Kata
Tomari Chinto kata is a very traditional Japanese/Okinawan style kata from Tomari-te. Unlike the more commonly seen Chinto kata of of Master Itosu, which is performed in a straight line to the front and rear, Tomari Chinto is performed along a … Continue reading
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