Karate Bulgaria

Each of the styles has designated kata. Shotokan: Jion and Kanku Dai. Shito Ryu: Bassai Dai and Seienchin. Goju Ryu: Saifa and Seipai. Wado Ryu: Chinto and Seishan.

 Shotokan has fifteen "common sense" kata:  Heian 1,2,3,4,5; Tekki 1,2,3;  Jitte, Jion, Hangetsu, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Gankaku, and Bassai Dai.  In general, kata are divided into Shorei Ryu and Shorin Ryu styles.  Shorin ryu may be characterized as having quick waza (technique) stressing the importance of balance.  Shorei ryu is typically powerful, slow waza with legs and hips as center, with emphasis on strength and accentuated breathing.  In terms of Shorin and Shorei, the fifteen  Shotokan kata are categorized in the following manner: Shorin - Bassai Dai, Enpi and Gankaku.  Shorei - Tekki 1,2,3, Jitte, Hangetsu and Jion. 

Heian
Peaceful Way 

Tekki
Iron Horse 

Bassai
To penetrate a fortress (dai=major, sho=minor) 

Kanku
Viewing the sky 

Empi
Flying swallow 

Jion
Named after the temple 

Hangetsu
Half Moon 

Gankaku
Crane on a rock 

Jitte
Ten hands 

Chinte
Incredible hands 

Nijushiho
24 steps 

Sochin
Preserve Peace 

Unsu
Hands of a cloud 

Gojushiho
54 steps 

• Gojushiho Dai 
• Gojushiho Sho 

Jiin
Named after the saint 

• Jiin 

Wankan
Crown of a king 

• Wankan 

Meikyo
Mirror of the soul 

• Meikyo 

Kata clips are taken from the video series: All Kata of Karate, Japan Karate Association, produced by The Bureau of Technique, Japan Karate Association.

Some IJKA katas in one directory.