Kata
Kata is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks and throws.
Body movement in the various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, kata is not a performance or a demonstration. It is for the individual karate-ka to practice full techniques, with every technique potentially a decisive blow, while paying particular attention to form and timing.
Shotokan karate is comprised of 26 kata, each with its own emphasis on fast and slow, or controlled and powerful, movement. Virtually all of the kata taught today have two kiai points. The kiai, or spirit cry, occurs only at certain pre-determined moments in each kata. It is precisely at these moments that the karate-ka is required to demonstrate a total commitment of body, mind and spirit.
As students rise through the kyu levels and dan ranks, the continued regular practice of all the previous kata they have been taught is vital to their future progress.
The following is a list of all 26 katas, number of moves, meaning and a demonstration video.
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