Kata is one of the many ways in which martial artists train their body and focus their minds. Kata builds strength, focus, and muscle memory.
The Kata History or Meaning of the Kata
Wansu This form is reported to be named
for after a chinese boxer who lived around 1683. It is sometimes referred to as the hidden fist form.
Onaku This form is also referred to as
Ananko and means something like southern light or light from the south.
Seisan A rough translation of seisan
is Thirteen Hand. It is more commonly thought of as Chinese in
origin, Okinawan in content.
Pai Sai Patsai
and Bassia are other names given to this form.
This form, like others in Shodin Ji Do, are found in other styles. Often they have the same or similar names,
but are executed much differently. Pai
Sai means to penetrate a fortress,
or to break through a wall.
Pai Sai-Dai Dai
is generally used to signify large or great: with Pai Sai we arrive at the
interpretation “storm the great fortress”.
Goju Goju
translates fifty. This form however is
common to many styles and has come to mean many things. The most general and most common reference is
to hard and soft. This could be
interpreted to mean block soft and hit hard.
ChoJun Miyagi states, “all things are contained in the hard and soft
rhythms of respiration.” It could also
follow along the lines of the Chinese symbol of Yin and Yang.
The Pinans There
are five Pinans or Heians. In Shodin Ji
Do we call them Pinan One, Pinan Two, Pinan Three, Pinan Four and Pinan five.
They were originally refered to as:
Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan,
These forms are known as the peaceful mind kata or the peace and
tranquility forms. The literal
translation of pinan is “peaceful farmer”.
The Sanchins There
are thirteen Sanchins or hourglass forms.
The Sanchindachi is the hour glass stance. The Sanchin represent the three battles, or
three conflicts that unite the mind, body and spirit.
Nunchaku I & II These are weapons kata designed for the
nunchaku. All other weapons use a
variation of the empty hand kata previously mentioned. Not all weapons go with each kata. If the weapon works easily within the form
then use it. If the movements of a given
form are uncomfortable with a weapon try another form.