KATA

This form of Martial Arts training, which still stands as one of the most important together with kumite, served for generations as a way for karate masters of Okinawa and Japan to train and teach. In fact, it is said that the katas contain the true essence of Japanese Martial Arts, since within them you can observe movements that are currently prohibited in Kumite, such as strikes to very delicate areas like the genitals, joints, and neck. These strikes can cause serious injuries to opponents.

 

The Kyokushinkai katas are the following:

 

1. TAIKYOKU (First cause) Sono Ichi, Ni and San (20 counts)

Created by Gichin Funakoshi in 1930.

 

2. SOKUGI TAIKYOKU Sono Ichi, Ni and San (20 counts)

Kick-technique katas developed by Sosai Oyama in 1980.

 

3. TAIKYOKU URA (First cause) Sono Ichi, Ni and San (20 counts)

Developed by Sosai Oyama in 1980.

 

4. PINAN (Peaceful mind) Sono Ichi, Ni, San, Yon and Go (20 counts)

Created by Anko Itosu. Northern influence.

 

5. SANCHIN (Three battles) (20 counts)

Brought from China by Higashionna Kanryo. Ancient kata, date of origin unknown. Southern influence.

 

6. TENSHO (Changing hands) (20 counts) Created by Miyagi Chojun as a complement to Sanchin, after an in-depth study of the Chinese kata Rokkishu.

 

7. YANTSU (Maintain purity) (20 counts)

Created in China, date unknown. Northern influence.

 

8. SAIFA (Maximum destruction) (20 counts)

Created by Miyagi Chojun. Southern influence.

 

9. TSUKI NO KATA (Form of fists) (20 counts)

Created by Gichin Funakoshi. Northern influence.

 

10. GEKISAI DAI (Major conquer and occupy) (20 counts)

Created by Miyagi Chojun in 1940. Southern influence.

 

11. GEKISAI SHO (Minor conquer and occupy) (20 counts)

Created by Miyagi Chojun in 1940. Southern influence.

 

12. SEIENCHIN (The storm within the calm) (30 counts)

Taught by Miyagi Chojun. Southern influence.

 

13. SEIPAI (18 hands) (30 counts)

Taught by Miyagi Chojun, modified by Sosai Oyama. Southern influence.

 

14. KANKU DAI (Looking at the sky) (60 counts) I

ntroduced in Okinawa in 1756 and modified by Sosai Oyama. Source of the KANKU symbol. Northern influence.

 

15. GARYU (Reclining dragon) (30 counts)

Created by Sosai Oyama. Southern influence.

 

16. SUSHIHO (54 steps) (50 counts)

Introduced by Bushi Matsumura, modified by Sosai Oyama. Northern influence.

 

17. PINAN URA (Peaceful mind) Sono Ichi, Ni, San, Yon and Go (20 counts) Developed by Sosai Oyama in 1980.

 

18. ANTEI (Balance of body and mind) (30 counts)

Author: Shihan Ramón Bustinduy in 1984. Chinese and Japanese influence.

 

19. BASSAI DAI (Assault on the fortress) (30 counts)

From the Shuri-te line. Author Passai, a Chinese military attaché. Introduced by Master Oyadomari.

 

20. TEKKI (Iron horse rider) Sono Ichi, Ni and San (20 counts)

Its original name is Naihanchi; it was renamed by Gichin Funakoshi. Northern influence. It was part of the initial Oyama-ryu program. Later, Mas Oyama removed the Tekki katas from his program, but they are currently being reintroduced in some Kyokushin dojos.

 

21. KEIRO NO BO (Path with staff) Ichi No Bo, Ni No Bo, San No Bo, Yon No Bo and Go No Bo (20 counts)

Created by Shihan Ramón Bustinduy in 1985 (Ichi No Bo, Ni No Bo, San No Bo) and in 2019 (Yon No Bo and Go No Bo). Okinawan influence.

 

22. GEKISAI DAI NO BO (Conquer with staff) (20 counts)

Created by Shihan Ramón Bustinduy in 2019. Okinawan influence.

 

23. MIRUZU NO BO (The mills of life) (20 counts)

Created by Sensei Sergio Bustinduy in 2020. Okinawan influence.

 

24. TSUKI NO BO (Form of fists with staff) (20 counts)

Created by Shihan Ramón Bustinduy in 2021. Okinawan influence.

 

25. BASSAI DAI NO BO (Assault on the fortress with staff) (30 counts)

Created by Shihan Ramón Bustinduy in 2022. Okinawan influence.

 

26. TAMA SHIN KATA (The spheres of life) Author: Shihan Ramón Bustinduy in 2011. Chinese and Japanese influence.

 

27. ASABANA ICHI (On the occasion of my daughter’s birth) Created by Master Choyu Hentona in 1975. Okinawan influence.