SHOTOKAN KARATE
FORMAL COMPLEXES (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 various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, 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). As the Karateka grows older, more emphasis is placed on the health benefits of practicing kata, promoting fitness while keeping the body soft, supple, and agile.

Gichin Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan Karate of the time: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu. After years of study in both styles, Funakoshi created a simpler style that combined the ideals of the two. He never named his style, however, always referring to it simply as "Karate." Funakoshi's Karate reflects the changes made in the art by Anko Itosu, including the Heian/Pinan Kata series. Funakoshi changed the names of the kata in an effort to make the Okinawan dialect names in Honshu dialect.

Several Shotokan groups have introduced kata from other styles into their training, but when the JKA was formed, Nakayama laid down 27 kata as the kata syllabus for this organization. Even today, thousands of Shotokan dojo only practice these 27 kata.

The standard kata are:
1) Taikyoku Shodan (sometimes termed Kata Kihon or Kihon Kata),
2) Heian Shodan,
3) Heian Nidan,
4) Heian Sandan,
5) Heian Yondan,
6) Heian Godan,
7) Bassai Dai,
8) Jion,
9) Empi,
10) Kanku Dai,
11) Hangetsu,
12) Jitte,
13) Gankaku,
14) Tekki Shodan,
15) Tekki Nidan,
16) Tekki Sandan,
17) Nijushiho,
18) Chinte,
19) Sochin,
20) Meikyo,
21) Unsu,
22) Bassai Sho,
23) Kanku Sho,
24) Wankan,
25) Gojushiho Sho,
26) Gojushiho Dai,
27) Jiin.