KATAS AND KUMITES

Each movement and technique in a kata is made up of selected elements suitable to circumstances of real world fighting. Katas were developed and scientifically improved over the course of time by Karatedo masters. 

A Kata is performed alone against imaginary opponents. It serves the purpose of developing good posture, execution of techniques and mental concentration (focus). Each step of the Kata needs to be analyzed and understood before the Karatedo practitioner can apply it to real fighting. 

Within a Kata are strategies of fighting designed to expose different parts of the opponent's body and follow-up with offensive techniques. In Karatedo, the Kata always begins with a defensive technique rather than an offensive one. As an art of self-defense, this reinforces the philosophy of "Karate ni senti nashi" which translates as 'There is no first attack in Karate'.  In the possibility of a fight, it is best is to avoid it altogether. 

Until recently, the Katas were kept secret and were not practiced in public by Karatedo practitioners. In the past, Katas were only taught to only a handful of trusted students by Karatedo masters. Many ancient Katas were also lost because of this secrecy. During that time, Kata was the major part of training in Karatedo. 

The purpose for developing kata also varied with the times and with the people who developed them. For example in China over 1600 years ago kata were developed and practiced for the purpose of self defense, However, the Buddhist monks would practice kata for the purpose of strengthening the spirit, as well as the body. 

Katas are always started facing Shomen (the front of the dojo).  In the katas that have been published on this WEB site, I have given reference to compass headings with North being the front of the Dojo, otherwise known as Shomen. 

Shomen (front of the Dojo)

During the 1700s, Tode Sakugawa, who was in the Okinawan Palace Guard, learned Chinese fighting from a Chinese military officer, Kusanku, who arrived in Okinawa in 1761 (at this time of Japanese occupation, it was still permitted for some Chinese Attachés to come and go in Okinawa, for envoy purposes. It was also allowed for the nobles or royal classes to practice To-te, and it was definitely a requirement for the Royal Guard ). Sakugawa traveled many times to China with Kusanku, and learned to combine chuan fa (called "Chinese fist," by the Chinese) with Te to form Okinawan-te. In fact, Sakugawa's nick-name was "karate" or To-te" Sakugawa ( sometimes spelled ' Tode ' ), which literally meant, "Chinese fist Sakugawa." The name karate, in those days, meant, "Chinese hand". 

Later on in Japan, the character for "Chinese," was changed to one meaning "empty," so the new translation meant "empty hand." ( From Kusanku we have the name of one of our katas, Kusanku or Kosoko as we call it today, which is interesting because Kusanku supposedly did not teach kata! The katas may have been formed from the techniques). The kata has almost 30 to 40 versions so it is hard to say how close the Shorinjiryu Shindo Budo Kwai version is to the original kata. 

Koshiki Kosoko, step by step:

Koshiki Kosoko begins with the standard salutation  

1. Stand in the “attention stance” (Shomen musubi dachi).
2. Bow with a keirei (ceremonial bow) to shomen (north).
3. Call “shomen ni rei kata koshiki kosoko” and with kiai.
4. Step forward, left foot first then the right, in a front natural stance (shizen hontai dachi).
5. Bow with a kenko ritsurei (fighting bow)
6. Be prepared: zenshin
7. Slowly extend your hands, joined together, in front of our body above your forehead. Inhale deeply and bring them down in an outward circular motion, pressing your right fist against the palm of your left hand in front of your navel. 
8. Adopt a defensive open stance (naihanchin dachi) and immediately look right and then left. 
9. By moving your left foot south, rotate your body 90 degrees counter clockwise so that you are facing west and at the same time, assume a kiba dachi while delivering a right back elbow strike (ushiro empi uchi) from a high level, pushing your right fist with your left hand/arm thus giving power to the strike (left hand covering the right fist and both elbows are at ear level).
10. Deliver a left uraken morote uchi (double block)
11. Execute a right hineri geri. Bring your right foot to the left knee and then return it to the original starting position 
12. Execute a left soto gedan barai in a zenkutsu dachi stance (left foot forward while still facing west).
13. By moving your left foot towards the north, rotate your body 180 degrees clockwise (facing east) and at the same time, assume a kiba dachi while delivering a left back elbow strike (ushiro empi uchi) from a high level, pushing your left fist with your right hand/arm thus giving power to the strike (right hand covering the left fist and both elbows are at ear level).
14. Deliver a right uraken morote uchi (double block).
15. Execute a left hineri geri. Bring your left foot to the right knee and then return it to the original starting position.
16. Move your right foot backwards and turn your body 90 degrees counter clockwise (facing north), and at the same time, assume a kiba dachi while delivering a right back elbow strike (ushiro empi uchi) from a high level, pushing your right fist with your left hand/arm thus giving power to the strike (left hand covering the right fist and both elbows are at ear level).
17. Deliver a left uraken morote uchi (double block)
18. Execute a right hineri geri. Bring your right foot to the left knee and then place it in front (still facing north).
19. Execute a right okuru tsuki then perform a short cat step backwards (kiba dachi) followed with a right knife hand outward block (soto shuto uke).  This is to free your opponents grip on your right wrist. 
20. Execute a left hineri geri. Bring your left foot to the right knee and then place it in front (still facing north).
21. Execute a left okuru tsuki then perform a short cat step backwards (kiba dachi) followed with a left knife hand outward block (soto shuto uke).  This is to free your opponents grip on your left wrist.
22. Execute a right hineri geri. Bring your right foot to the left knee and then place it in front (still facing north).
23. Execute a right okuru tsuki and then bring the right fist to the belt before continuing. 
24. By moving the right foot to the west, rotate your body 180 degrees counter clockwise (facing south w/ left leg forward) and perform a left knife hand outward block (soto shuto uke) in a kiba dachi.
25. With the right hand, reach forward (south) so that you transition into a zenkutsu dachi and grab the opponents neck with your left hand grasping your right wrist.  Pull the right hand in close to your body, aligning it with the right hip while keeping your eyes focused on your right wrist. When doing this, you return to a kiba dachi.
26. Execute a right hineri geri. Bring your right foot to your left knee and then place it in front.
27. Cross behind with your left foot and deliver a right uraken uchi.
28. Step back with your left foot into kiba dachi, regaining a right foot forward stance (facing south) and sweep the left arm clockwise and the right arm clockwise ending with the left fist at the left hip and the right arm in an age uke (high right forearm block while still facing south).
29. Deliver a left hineri tsuki, followed up with a right okuru tsuki while maintaining full hips with all punches)
30. Execute a left hineri geri bringing the left foot back to the right knee and then placing it back in the starting position.
31. Move the right foot towards the southeast direction, rotating your body counter clockwise to face north and perform a morote ude uke (double block).  The right arm is bent slightly at the elbow with the elbow in close to the body and the fist, pointing upward slightly and to the right, over the right knee.  The left arm is pointing forward in a downward fashion (45 degree) over the left leg.  The right leg is bent and the left (front) leg is very straight (almost a kokotsu dachi)
32. Re-adjust your stance to a zenkutsu dachi and with your right hand, execute a forward (northerly) pick to the groin with the palm facing upwards and the left hand providing a block to the right side of the face (palm facing to the east).
33. Cat step backwards (ushiro nigwash) and perform a left soto gedan barai (low arm block) in a zenkutsu dachi stance (left foot forward while still facing north).
34. With the right hand, reach forward (north) so that you transition into a zenkutsu dachi and grab the opponents neck with your left hand grasping your right wrist.  Pull the right hand in close to your body, aligning it with the right hip while keeping your eyes focused on your right wrist. In doing this you return to a kiba dachi.
35. Execute a right hineri geri. Bring your right foot to your left knee and then place it in front.
36. Cross behind with your left foot and deliver a right oroshi uraken uchi.
37. Step back with your left foot into kiba dachi, regaining a right foot forward stance (facing north) and sweep the left arm clockwise and the right arm clockwise ending with the left fist at the left hip and the right arm in an age uke (high right forearm block while still facing north).
38. Deliver a left hineri tsuki, followed up with a right okuru tsuki while maintaining full hips with all punches)
39. Execute a left hineri geri bringing the left foot back to the right knee and then placing it back in the starting position. (right foot foward)
40. Move the right foot towards the northwest direction, rotating your body counter clockwise to face south and perform a morote ude uke (double block).  The right arm is bent slightly at the elbow with the elbow in close to the body and the fist, pointing upward (45 degrees) and to the right, over the right knee.  The left arm is pointing forward in a downward fashion (45 degree) over the left leg.  The right leg is bent and the left (front) leg is very straight (almost a kokotsu dachi)
41. Readjust your stance to a a zenkutsu dachi and with your right hand, execute a forward (southerly) pick to the groin with the palm facing upwards and the left hand providing a block to the right side of the face (palm facing to the west)
42. Cat step backwards (ushiro nigwash) and perform a left soto gedan barai (low arm block) in a zenkutsu dachi stance (left foot forward while still facing south).
43. Move the right foot in towards the left foot then move it forward and right (to the west) rotating you body to the east and perform a double block (morote uke). The block is described as such: Simultaneously your right arm goes upward 45 degrees behind your head (haito jodan soto uke) and your left arm goes downward 45 degrees (shuto soto gedan barai).
44. Bring your right foot to the left foot (facing south) while bringing your right fist to the belt and execute a left gyaku uchi. 
45. With the left foot, step towards the east (facing east now) and perform a left jodan hirate uke while executing a right hineri tsuki.
46. Step towards the south east direction with the left foot (facing once again to the south) and perform a double block (morote uki). The block is described as such: Simultaneously your left arm goes upward 45 degrees behind your head (haito jodan soto uke) and your right arm goes downward 45 degrees (shuto soto gedan barai).
47. Bring your left foot to the right foot (facing south) while bringing your left fist to the belt and execute a right gyaku uchi. 
48. With the right foot, step towards the west (facing west now) and perform a right jodan hirate uke while executing a left hineri tsuki.
49. Bring the right foot to the left knee while simultaneously bringing the left and right hands close to the body at the belt level and then step forward with the right foot (south direction) ending in a right kiba dachi while simultaneously executing a morote hirake uke (left hand is chudan hirake uke with elbow bent and right hand is gedan hirake with the arm extended).
50. Bring the hands back into the body while bringing the right foot back to the knee.
51. Step forward once again with the right foot while rotating your arms clockwise ending with a right chudan kamae in a kiba dachi. (ensure that the left hand is held tightly at the left side at belt level)
52. Execute a left ushiro tobi (360 degree jump) returning to a right chudan kamae kiba dachi (facing south).
53. Bring the left foot up to the right foot (musubi dachi) while drawing both fists to the right side of your body at belt level.
54. From this position, look east and then execute a left yoko geri.
55. Bring the left foot back to the right knee and while rotating 90 degrees counter clockwise (facing  east) step forward with the left foot (left zenkutsu dachi) while executing a right jodan yoko empi uchi into the left hand.
56. Bring the right foot up to the left foot (musubi dachi) while drawing both fists to the left side of your body at belt level.
57. From this position, look west then execute a right yoko geri.
58. Bring the right foot back to the left knee and while rotating 90 degrees clockwise (facing  west) step forward with the right foot (left zenkutsu dachi) while executing a left jodan yoko empi uchi into the right hand.
59. With the left foot, step forward and simultaneously execute a left chudan kamae kiba dachi (facing south)
60. With the right hand, reach forward (south) so that you transition into a zenkutsu dachi and grab the opponents neck with your left hand grasping your right wrist.  Pull the right hand in close to your body, aligning it with the right hip while keeping your eyes fixated on your right wrist. In doing this you return to a kiba dachi.
61. Execute a right hineri geri. Bring your right foot to your left knee and then place it in front.
62. Cross behind with your left foot and deliver a right uraken uchi.
63. Step back with your left foot into kiba dachi, regaining a right foot forward stance (facing south) and sweep the left right arm clockwise ending with the left fist at the left hip and the right arm in an age uke (high right forearm block while still facing south).
64. Deliver a left hineri tsuki, followed up with a right okuru tsuki while maintaining full hips with all punches)
65. Execute a left hineri geri bringing the left foot back to the right knee and then placing it back in the starting position.
66. Step forward (south east) with the right foot and take a zenkutsu dachi while executing a morote gedan shotei uchi. (both arms are extended 45 degrees downward in the south east direction)
67. Turn your head 180 degrees counter clockwise (looking north), while slowly raising the left arm to the north for a morote jodan shotei uke.The right hand is brought to the right hip, belt level. (facing north)
68. With the right foot, execute an hineri mawashi geri completing the kick by bringing the right foot to the left knee and placing it behind the left foot (facing south)
69. Move immediately into a left ushiro mawashi geri to the north (facing south) completing the kick by bringing the left foot to the knee. 
70. With the left foot remaining at the knee, turn to the south and then drop to the ground with the right knee brought up to the chest and the left leg fully extended.
71. Look to the left and then to the right then stand back up, facing south bringing the left foot to the side of the right foot.
72. With the right foot, step back into a left chudan kamae kiba dachi (facing south).
73. While stepping forward with the right foot, rotate the arms (left clockwise-right counter clockwise) while fully extended ending with a right nigwash dachi.
74. Move the right foot to the southeast, rotating your body so that you are facing northwest and enter into a left chudan kamae kiba dachi.
75. Execute an hineri geri (right foot) in the northwest direction bringing the right foot to the left knee and then step forward into a right zenkutsu dachi while delivering a right okuru tsuki and a left chudan hirate uke. 
76. Deliver an hineri hirate tsuki making sure that the right fist is pulled tightly to the right hip-belt level.
77. Move the back leg (left) over to the southwest so that you are facing northeast and take a right chudan kamae kiba dachi.
78. Execute an hineri geri (left foot) in the northeast direction bringing the left foot to the right knee and then step forward into a left zenkutsu dachi while delivering a left okuru tsuki and a right chudan hirate uke.
79. Deliver an hineri hirate tsuki making sure that the left fist is pulled tightly to the left hip-belt level.
80. Finish the kata by closing with the traditional salutation.

Go Kyo no Kumite Tsuki Wasa

Go is the japanese word for five. Tsuki Wasa means hand techniques.                                                                                             Kumite is two person counter attack//counter attack form.

The overall meaning is five different Kumites which start with the hands.

The defending position always maintains an “open hand” fighting stance open to the flag.  The offending always starts with a  “closed fist” fighting stance with their back to the flag.  Both positions will have their left leg forward.
 
 

#1- Jodan Oi Tsuki  - Zenku Tsu dachi. Front leg bent, back leg straight, weight is forward with forward arm up.

Offense - The offender announces the attack, Jodan Oi Tsuki, performs a stepping punch to the head, and then returns back to the fighting stance.  At this point, make the attack without saying anything.

Defense - Cat step zig zag backwards to the right with an open hand block (left hand). You are blocking the stepping punch.  Cat step forward with a right hand chop to the offenders neck, lunge punch (left hand) ***, reverse round house kick (right leg) , back fist (left hand) twist punch (right hand)

*** after the defenders third move, the offender, who is now facing the flag, steps backward in a 45 degree angle to the right, moving the front (right) foot to the back.

#2- Chudan Hineri Tsuki - Nigwash dachi. Sword like fighting stance. Left arm very straight and hand held high, right hand bent upward in front of the sternum

Offense - Announce the attack, Chudan Hineri Tsuki, perform a cat step twist punch, and then return back to the fighting stance.  At this point, make the attack without saying anything.

Defense - Cat step zig zag backwards to the left with a block (left hand). You are blocking the cat step twist punch.  Twist punch (right hand), reverse front kick (right leg),*** reverse round house kick (left leg), back fist (right hand) followed with a  twist punch (left hand).

*** after the defenders third move, the offender, who is still facing with their back to the flag, steps backward in a 45 degree angle moving the front (left) foot to the back,  opening their position to the flag.

#3- Jodan Okuru Tsuki - Zenku Tsu dachi -Zenku Tsu dachi. Front leg bent, back leg straight, weight is forward with forward arm down.

Offense - The offender announces the attack, Jodan Okuru Tsuki, performs a lunge punch, and then returns back to the fighting stance.  At this point,  make the attack without saying anything.

Defense - Front arm (left) block in an upward motion. Elbow (right elbow), lunge punch(left hand),*** spinning back kick (right leg). Back fist (right hand)

*** after the defenders third move, the offender, who is still facing away from the flag, steps backwards in a direct line, moving the front (left) foot to the back, opening their position to the flag.

#4- Oroshi Kentsui Uchi - Sotobiraki jogotai dachi. Fghting stance w/front arm crossing the chest & back arm bent at the elbow (elbow is shoulder level and fore arm is up).

Offense - The offender announces the attack, Oroshi Kentsui Uchi, performs a step (right leg moves forward) with a downward fist (oroshi kentsui uchi, right hand) to the offenders brain, and then returns back to the fighting stance.  At this point,  make the attack without saying anything.

Defense - Double handed upper block, (juuji uke) you are blocking the blow to your head with your arms crossed. Grab the offenders arm, pulling them down, towards you. Right knee to their chest (hiza geri). Step in (left leg), left elbow down to the offenders head (oroshi empi uchi). Spinning hook kick (ushiro gedan kage geri) with right leg, sweeping the offender to the ground. Twist punch (jodan hineri tsuki, right hand) to their head.

#5- Jodan Uraken Uchi - Shizen hontai dachi  (natural stance, standing sideways)

Offense - The offender announces the attack, Jodan Uraken Uchi,  performs a side step (left foot) with a back fist (Uraken Uchi) to the head (Jodan) with the left arm, and then returns back to the fighting stance.  At this point, make the attack without saying anything.

Defense - Cat step side ways (right) and open hand block.  Immediately grab the offenders arm and with a twisting motion (counter clockwise) perform a side kick (Chudan Yoko Geri w/left leg) to the left side of their chest. With the right hand perform a twist strike to the neck with the palm facing down (Hineri Haito Uchi)  Step in with the right leg and sweep the offender backwards, placing your hands on the shoulder to complete the sweep. Follow with a kick (left leg) to the head or body.

Go is the japanese word for five, 
Kumite is a two person attack/counter attack form
Ashi Wasa means foot techniques.

The overall meaning is five different Kumites which start with the feet.

The defending position always maintains an “open hand” fighting stance open to the flag.  The offending always starts with a  “closed fist” fighting stance with their back to the flag.  Both positions will have their left leg forward. Offense stands to the right of Shomen, and defense stands to the left.  After each individual kumite has been completed, return to the original fighting stance (Dachi) to indicate the end for that particular movement.
 
 

#1- Jodan Oi Geri  - Zenku Tsu dachi. Front leg bent, back leg straight, weight is forward with forward arm up (Chudan Kame).

Offense - The offender announces the attack, Jodan Oi Geri, performs a stepping kick to the head, and then returns back to the fighting stance.  At this point, make the attack without saying anything.

Defense - Cat step zig zag backwards to the left with a closed hand block (left hand). You are blocking or sweeping the stepping kick.  Cat step forward with a left handed reverse twist punch (Hineri Tsuki). Push with the back leg (left) and execute a right hand lunge punch (Okuru Tsuki). *** Follow through with a reverse round house (left leg Hineri Mawashi Geri - clockwise) and continue with an Ushiro Mawashi Geri (spinning back kick - still clockwise). Complete the first kumite by executing an Hineri Tsuki with the left hand and then return to the fighting stance.

*** after the defenders third move, the offender, who is now facing the flag, steps backward in a 45 degree angle to the left (back rear corner of the dojo), moving the front (right) foot to the back.

#2- Chudan Hineri Geri - Ushiro Nigwash dachi. Sword like fighting stance. Left arm very straight and hand held high, right hand bent upward in front of the sternum.  All weight should be placed on the front or leading foot with the back or trailing foot resting on the ball of the feet (heel up), resulting in the knee being bent.

Offense - Announce the attack, Chudan Hineri Geri, perform a reverse front kick (left leg) to the chest, using the ball of the feet and then return back to the fighting stance.  At this point, make the attack without saying anything.

Defense - Cat step zig zag backwards to the right with a Soto Gedan Barri block (right hand leg sweep). You are blocking the reverse front kick. Follow through with a left handed twist punch (Hineri Tsuki), then a right foot Mai Mawashi Geri (front round house by moving counter clockwise) and without bringing your foot to the ground, continue with a Kage Geri (hook kick by moving your foot in a clockwise direction. Bring your foot to the knee and then place the right foot in front.  Execute a left foot Hineri Geri at a 45 degree angle  followed with a left hand Okuru Tsuki. 

*** after the defenders fourth move, the offender, who is still facing with their back to the flag, steps backward in a 45 degree angle moving the front (right) foot to the back,  opening their position to the flag.

#3- Chudan Yoko Geri - Zenku Tsu dachi - Front leg bent, back leg straight, weight is forward with forward arm down.

Offense - The offender announces the attack, Chudan Yoko Geri, performs a cross behind side kick to the chest and then returns back to the fighting stance.  At this point,  make the attack without saying anything.

Defense - Move the left (rear) leg back so that your body moves 45 degrees and with both hands open, block the side kick. Then, by shifting your weight to the right foot, execute a left foot spinning back kick (Ushiro Mawashi Geri - counter clockwise) followed with a left hand Jodan Uraken Uchi (back fist to the head).  Then execute a right foot Nidan Hineri Mawashi Geri (double reverse round house kick - counter clockwise motion) to the back of your oponents knee and then their back or head.  After bringing your right foot to the knee and then placing it forward, peform a cross behind step with the left foot and execute another Uraken Uchi (right hand back fist). 

*** after the defenders third move, the offender, who is still facing away from the flag, steps backwards in a 45 degree angle (right front of the dojo) moving the front (right) foot to the back, opening their position to the flag.

#4- Jodan Hineri Mawashi Geri - Sotobiraki jigotai hundai dachi. Fghting stance w/front arm crossing the chest & back arm bent at the elbow (elbow is shoulder level and fore arm is up). Weight is evenly distribited to both legs, and knees should be bent at right angles (sitting position with feet far apart)

Offense - The offender announces the attack, Jodan Hineri Mawashi Geri, performs a left foot reverse round house (clockwise motion) and then returns back to the fighting stance.  At this point,  make the attack without saying anything. (It is important to note that after the second kick, you still need to return to the same fighting stance with the right leg forward)

Defense - Shift your weight to the rear (left) leg and fully extend your front (right) leg.  Your left hand should be open with the palm facing outward and your left hand protecting your face (left elbow high and hand at about eear and cheek bone level).  Your right arm should be parallel to your right leg.  You are avoiding the round house kick. Then execute a left foot Hineri Geri (reverse front kick) at a 45 degree angle (back rear of the dojo) following through with a left hand Okuru Tsuki (lunge punch).  With the left hand, reach down and grab your opponents right wrist and with a fast spin moving clockwise, and your arm and opponents arm moving over your head, execute a right leg hook (Ushiro Ashi Bari) bringing your opponent to the ground.  Follow through with a right hand Shuto Uchi (open hand chop) making sure that your bring your hand back to your belt before returning to the fighting stance. 

#5- Chudan Ushiro Mawashi Geri- Shizen hontai dachi  (natural stance, standing at 45 degree angles)

Offense - The offender announces the attack, Chudan Ushiro Mawashi Geri,  performs a counter clockwise spinning back kick with the left legand then returns back to the fighting stance.  At this point, make the attack without saying anything. (It is important to note that after the second kick, you still need to return to the Shizen hontai dachi with the right leg forward)

Defense - Cat step backwards (Ushiro Nigwash) and take a Nigwash Dachi. Weight should be placed on the back (left) foot, and left leg slightly bent. The front leg (right) should be bend quite a bit and the foot resting on the ball of the feet (heel up). Execute an Oi Geri (stepping kick) with the right leg following through with a right hand Okuru Tsuki (lunge punch). Slide your right hand down so that your right hand can grab your opponents right wrist.  Place your left hand over your opponents right shoulder and while pulling the shoulder backwards, execute a sweep with th e left foot.  After your opponent has fallen, execute a right foot Hineri Mawashi Geri (reverse round house) to the side of their head, which is now lying on the mat (Tatame).