Meikyo - Shotokan Karate

The most popular image associated with kata is that of a karate practitioner performing a series of punches and kicks in the air. The kata are executed as a specified series of approximately 20 to 70 moves, generally with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. There are perhaps 100 kata across the various forms of karate, each with many minor variations. The number of moves in a kata may be referred to in the name of the kata, eg. Gojushiho, which means "54 steps." The number of moves may also have links with Buddhist spirituality. The number 108 is significant in Buddhism, and kata with 54, 36, or 27 moves (divisors of 108) are common. The practitioner is generally counselled to visualize the enemy attacks, and his or her responses, as actually occurring, and karateka are often told to "read" a kata, to explain the imagined events.

In teaching the open handed kata, most styles of Karate start with a series of three, or sometimes two, very simple kata called blocking forms before advancing to five basic kata named Pinan in some systems and Heian in others. By working through this series (in order: Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan (except in Wado Ryu Karate, where Shodan and Nidan are reversed)) the practitioner learns all the basic stances and techniques before moving on to more advanced kata. Traditionally, kata are taught in stages. Previously learned kata are returned to in order to show more advanced techniques or ways of doing things, as beginners do not have the same knowledge and experience that practitioners further up the ranks have. It is not uncommon in some styles for students testing for Shodan (first rank black belt) to have to repeat every kata they have learned from the first belt, but at a "black belt" level, for example, with better technique, power, amongst others. This system is often used for the lower grades as well. The student will perform one new kata and one or two previous ones, to demonstrate how much they have progressed and how quickly they can learn new things.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• karate
• shotokan
• kata
• black
• belt
• meikyo

[zedosix]

I agree, but even Heian Nidan is too advanced for white belt.

[karatefella]

Why is your Sensei teaching you this Kata when you are just a white belt ??

Stick to Kihon, Heian Shodan and maybe Heian Nidan.

[13hollz13]

need to learn this kata, it was a great help;)

[academiadragaopnn]

very good osssss!!!

[deosullivan3]

@chiluzzdia I'm a black belt in Shotokan, and I disagree. The kata are ordered for a reason: they build on each other and increase in difficulty. All of the Heians come out of Kanku Dai, which is why they are learned first and Kanku Dai is often the last kata before black belt. I admire your passion for karate-do, but remember patience: karate-do, as Funakoshi O Sensei taught, is a pursuit of a lifetime.

[onthekantrary]

@zedosix I disagree, as many karate styles still teach Heian Nidan first as Pinan Shodan. Gichin Funakoshi changed the order as he felt Heian Shodan was easier.

[karatefella]

@medoduel his name his Hirokazu Kanazawa.

Chief Instructor, Shotokan Karate International Federation.

[chiluzzdia]

@karatefella its never to early to learn kata, if his sensei wants him to learn it than by all means he should learn it! im an orange belt but i practice karate everyday for at least an hour out side of normal dojo hours. ofcourse i know heian shodan, nidan, sandan and yondan. but look at tekki it has no technical reference to any other of the kata families so why not learn it right away. im currently practicing kanku dai and our neighboring goju-ryu dojo's sensei has offered to teach me seipai!

[medoduel]

Does any one know the name of that man performing the kata ??

[Karategillon]

Working on this kata - Meikyo

[Krzysztex]

In my dojo there's only Taikyoku Shodan for white belt. Heian Shodan and Heian Nidan are for yellow.