Gekisai dai is the first of the two Gekisai katas, The word “Gekisai” means conquer and occupy. The name is derived from the characters Geki, meaning attack or conquer, and Sai, meaning fortress or stronghold (literally translated as “closed”, “shut” or “covered”). The word Gekisai can also mean demolish, destroy or pulverize. The kata teach... more »
Gekisai means “attack and destroy”. These kata were created around 1940 by Chojun Miyagi and Nagamine Shoshin as beginners’ kata, to introduce the basic forms of karate (kihon) to middle school students in Okinawa, to help bring about the standardization of karate, and to teach a basic set of techniques for self-defense. Gekisai kata... more »
Gekisai means “attack and destroy”. These kata were created around 1940 by Chojun Miyagi and Nagamine Shoshin as beginners’ kata, to introduce the basic forms of karate (kihon) to middle school students in Okinawa, to help bring about the standardization of karate, and to teach a basic set of techniques for self-defense. Gekisai kata... more »
Gekisai sho is the second of the two Gekisai katas, The word “Gekisai” means conquer and occupy. The name is derived from the characters Geki, meaning attack or conquer, and Sai, meaning fortress or stronghold (literally translated as “closed”, “shut” or “covered”). The word Gekisai can also mean demolish, destroy or pulverize. The kata teach... more »
Naihanchi (or Naifanchi, Tekki) is a Karate Kata, performed in straddle stance (kiba dachi). It translates to ‘internal divided conflict’. The form makes use of in-fighting techniques and grappling. There are three modern kata derived from this (Shodan, Nidan and Sandan). Some researchers believe Nidan and Sandan were created by Anko Itosu, but others... more »
Naihanchi (or Naifanchi, Tekki) is a Karate Kata, performed in straddle stance (kiba dachi). It translates to ‘internal divided conflict’. The form makes use of in-fighting techniques and grappling. There are three modern kata derived from this (Shodan, Nidan and Sandan). Some researchers believe Nidan and Sandan were created by Anko Itosu, but others... more »
Naihanchi (or Naifanchi, Tekki) is a Karate Kata, performed in straddle stance (kiba dachi). It translates to ‘internal divided conflict’. The form makes use of in-fighting techniques and grappling. There are three modern kata derived from this (Shodan, Nidan and Sandan). Some researchers believe Nidan and Sandan were created by Anko Itosu, but others... more »
Pinan godan is the fifth and last of the five Pinan Katas. This Kata utilizes double-handed techniques demonstrating both complimentary forces and contradicting forces. Additionally, we also see demonstration of other two-handed tactics and elements not already obvious in the previous Pinan katas. The Pinan kata are a series of five empty hand forms taught... more »
The Pinan kata are a series of five empty hand forms taught in many karate styles. The Pinan kata originated in Okinawa and were adapted by Anko Itosu from older kata such as Kushanku and Gojushiho into forms suitable for teaching karate to young students. When Gichin Funakoshi brought karate to Japan, he renamed the... more »
Pinan Yondan is the fourth of the five Pinan Katas. This Kata introduces a number of new techniques, including cross blocks, double punches (ren tsuki), side kicks and more. The Pinan kata are a series of five empty hand forms taught in many karate styles. The Pinan kata originated in Okinawa and were adapted... more »
Rōhai has three variation invented by Itosu. Wadō-ryū practices Rōhai Shodan. The name “Rōhai” translates approximately to “vision of a Crane” or “vision of a heron”. The kata originated from the Tomari-te school of Okinawan martial arts. It was called Matsumora Rōhai, after Kosaku Matsumora, who was presumably its inventor. Ankō Itosu later took... more »
This Kata was originally made by Sensei Anko Itosu and initiated to Sensei Kenwa Mabuni. The origin of the name Kokosun came from a name of military officer of China, Kusanku, who introduced the... more »