Karate Kata
Step-by-Step
40 karate kata diagrams with
instructions in English and Japanese
Author: M. Loftus
V1.3.4
Contents
What is kata?
1. Heian Shodan 23. Unsu
2. Heian Nidan 24. Wankan
3. Heian Sandan 25. Gojushiho Dai
4. Heian Yondan 26. Gojushiho Sho
5. Heian Godan 27. Gankanku Sho
6. Tekki Shodan 28. Sanchin
7. Tekki Nidan 29. Tensho
8. Tekki Sandan 30. Anan
9. Bassai Dai 31. Suparinpei
10. Bassai Sho 32. Taikyoku Shodan
11. Kanku Dai 33. Taikyoku Nidan
12. Kanku Sho 34. Taikyoku Sandan
13. Jion 35. Taikyoku Yondan
14. Jitte 36. Taikyoku Godan
15. Empi 37. Taikyoku Rokudan
16. Gankaku 38. Ten No Kata
17. Hangetsu 39. Geki Sai Dai Ichi
18. Sochin 40. Geki Sai Dai Ni
19. Nijushiho
20. Meikyo Tachi-kata & strikes
21. Ji’in Karate Terms
22. Chinte
What is kata?
Kata ( 型 or 形) in Japanese martial arts refers to choreographed sequences of
moves and techniques. The concept of using such structured patterns to teach
fighting skills is not unique to karate or Japanese arts, but is a method
observed across numerous cultures throughout history. Dating back as far as
3000-3400 BCE, these practices were developed to systematically pass down
and refine combat techniques. Kata represent more than just physical
routines; they encompass historical, cultural, and philosophical elements
deeply embedded in martial traditions.
Kata have persisted across millennia because they effectively enable students
to build essential skills through repetition. Practicing forms develops muscle
memory, which allows techniques like stances, strikes, blocks, and footwork to
be performed swiftly and accurately during real combat or self-defense
situations. Additionally, forms provide teachers a structured curriculum to
impart crucial underlying concepts such as timing, distance, body mechanics,
power generation, and balance, all essential for real-world application.
Forms also promote discipline and mental focus, often integrating lessons
about attitude and spirit that practitioners can apply in everyday life. Regular
practice of kata contributes significantly to physical development, enhancing a
student’s strength, stamina, speed, and precision. Moreover, in historical
periods when literacy was limited, forms acted as cultural heritage tools that
preserved and conveyed the philosophical teachings and history of martial
arts schools and masters, connecting students to their martial arts lineage.
Today, the mastery of forms is frequently used by teachers to gauge student
progression, with more complex forms representing advanced martial arts
skill. In contemporary martial arts, kata have evolved to become both a
competitive demonstration and an art form in their own right, sometimes
separate from practical combat applications. Though some debate the efficacy
of kata in practical self-defense without direct combat training, many karate
practitioners integrate “bunkai” (the practical application and analysis of kata)
to enhance understanding of real-world relevance, timing, distance, and the
adaptability of techniques in various martial scenarios.
Karate Terms
Karate kata – step by step
Author: Mark Loftus
Contact: feedback@katastepbystep.com
This work is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC
BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence..
