WHAT KATA DO YOU PREFER??

[sensei8]

We, his JBB's, once asked our Dai-Soke what was his preferred kata in the Shotokan syllabus and he said...

Heian Yondan

We asked him why that one? Isn't that in the Shotkan kyu syllabus?

His retort was...

"Yes it is. But it contains a lot of necessity; it's complete"

He demonstrated it for us, and we were made believers!!

[bushido_man96]

Either of these three...in no particular order

Wankan

Gojushiho Dai

Unsu [i can't do the big jump anymore because of my right knee; nowadays, that knee helps me to walk, and not jump/land]

Bob, I find my jumping ability has visibly waned, as well.

[Harkon72]

I have the jump in Pinan Godan to do, I think I can do it justice with some practice.

[Nabil Kazama]

I don't personally have a favourite kata, but my Sensei does say my Heian Yondan and Godan are spot on.

Come to think of it, I think I'm one of my dojo's best students when it comes to kata. Not quite there yet with sparring, but I'm getting there.

[sensei8]

Either of these three...in no particular order

Wankan

Gojushiho Dai

Unsu [i can't do the big jump anymore because of my right knee; nowadays, that knee helps me to walk, and not jump/land]

Bob, I find my jumping ability has visibly waned, as well.

Nice to have someone who can relate...heheheheheeee

[bassaiguy]

Right now I'm alternating between Empi and Hangetsu. They seem like flip sides of a coin. Empi is light and fast while Hangetsu is rooted and sturdy. Both kata have some interesting changes in speed and tempo, too. For a long time I though Tekki Shodan was my faovirte kata (simple, strong and has lots of applications), but these days I'm looking more at kata as a "systems platform" and Empi and Hangetsu seem to represent two complementary systems in Shotokan.

[Hawkmoon]

I've three Katas I enjoy, as to which oneis a fav, to be honest its hard to say.

Pinan Sono Ni

Yantsu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQcN5AvaqIs

Tsuki No Kata

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy4vjPPv9CQ

[yamesu]

Yantsu is a beautiful kata, and the applications are great. But it is unique to Kyokushin, so other styles might not have too much insight into it?

As far as derivations of Shotokan kata, Pinan Yon is great. The bunkai is just brilliant (including the leg, shoulder and hip throws!)

I was taught Nihanchi a while back, and that was quite interesting also, but I just could not get the differences in uke when compared to the standard kyokushin kihon.

[Stefano123]

Right now I'm alternating between Empi and Hangetsu. They seem like flip sides of a coin. Empi is light and fast while Hangetsu is rooted and sturdy. Both kata have some interesting changes in speed and tempo, too. For a long time I though Tekki Shodan was my faovirte kata (simple, strong and has lots of applications), but these days I'm looking more at kata as a "systems platform" and Empi and Hangetsu seem to represent two complementary systems in Shotokan.

You are right, hangetsu is really a wonderful kata!

[The Greatest Disciple]

Pinan series. If I were to develop my own style, the five pinan kata would be the only kyu belt kata.