What is Kata?In Karate, kata is a sequence of moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. Kata is not a performance or a demonstration, but is for individual karateka to practice full techniques– with every technique potentially a killing blow (ikken hisatsu), while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm). The standard kata in (Shotokan) Karate are: Tekki Nidan KataThe most obvious observation, when watching these katas, is the fact they move in a straight line. The embusen for this kata has been much analysed by karateka and historians. Many believe this represents that the karateka is fighting on horseback; others believe that it represents the karateka fighting with his back against a wall. While others say the kata was developed for fighting on a boat. Debate aside, this kata is the intermediate of the Tekki Series, and like the others, it places much emphasis on rooting, power and stability. Unlike Tekki Shodan, originally a shuri-te kata, Nidan and Sandan were created by Master Itosu, but maintaining many of the concepts that made Shodan such a vital training aid. |
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