Which Kata Best Demonstrate the Core of your Practiced style

[Kanku65]

In shotokan, more specifically ISKF, we currently have a curriculum of up to 26, perhaps more kata. 26 which I am aware of.

In the past, we had what is reffered to as "the original 15" which are

5 Heian

3 Tekki

Bassi dai

Kanku dai

Jion

Empi

Hangetsu

Jitte

Gankaku

(As well as the taikyoku and ten no series which many dojos and organizations have let go of completely)

In your personal opinion, in your own style/organization, which kata or group of kata, no matter how big or small make up the fundamentals of your practiced style? Which kata describe the basic most core? Which kata in your practiced style give pace to your own individual style?

In my opinion, shotokan's core can be found in...

Heian shodan

Tekki shodan

Bassai dai

Kanku dai

Jion

All the basics that are trained on a regular basis can be found within those kata, they are in my opinion the bare necessities of shotokan karate. This does not by any means take credit away from the other "original 15", it just means that shotokan would not be the same without the basics found within those 5 kata.

My personal favourites are, the 5 Heian. I am an absolute lover of the Heian series and I will practice at least 2 to warm up before beginning every training session. Kanku dai, because it is exhausting, and it always feels like a complete workout for me when executed with the utmost intention. Tekki shodan, because my kiba dachi sucks, and it challenges me appropriately. Empi because it suits my slim, short, swift body perfectly.

[GojuRyu Bahrain]

Interesting Topic!

For me, Sesan contains a lot of the essentials of Goju Ryu. If I had to teach only one Kata, that would be Sesan. It would be a bit short, though, so I'm more than glad to have the other Katas as well....Second most important Kata might be Seynchin, but I am not as certain there...

I am eager to see other people's views!

[sensei8]

The Niahanchi series is seen as the core Kata of Shindokan Saitou-ryu.

Edited April 19, 2015 by sensei8

[LeighSimmsMA]

This interesting because in the past one kata was an entire style! It then went on to being a couple of kata per style. I remember Funakoshi once writing that a master would know around 3-5 kata.

That being said, in my teachings I have the Heian/Pinan Series, Naihanchi/Tekki Shodan and Kanku Dai/Kusanku as the kata to 1st Dan. I think all the Heians as a collection represent my teachings as well as Kanku Dai and Naihanchi. So if im allowed to chose the Heians as one kata, I chose that. If not then Kanku Dai is my choice - trapping, locking, throwing, anti-grappling, clinching, kicking, punching and alternate methods of striking all recorded!

[Oshishinobu]

OSU!

Howdy from ISKF Northwest!

Personally I have found that I love doing bassai series and the tekki series. I like to fight closer range and I find tekki is a perfect kata to draw from. Bassai dai and sho are just plan fun. I am a big guy bit when doing bassai dai/sho I feel like a badass. Picking a favorite is hard though as I have fallen in love with Gankaku!

OSU!

[Mark B]

In my dojo Naihanchi forms the core of our training. The only other form(s) we study are the Seisan kata (s), which are heavy with all the key points I personally think are required for real world self protection.

Students are permitted to ask to learn a different form after Shodan

[Spodo Komodo]

This interesting because in the past one kata was an entire style! It then went on to being a couple of kata per style. I remember Funakoshi once writing that a master would know around 3-5 kata.

There is a big difference between knowing a kata and really knowing one in its very bones. I know the 15 Wado Ryu kata but I really only properly know Kushanku, Naifanchi and maybe Bassai. Kushanku is the reason for the Pinans and represent the very core of the style for me, if I had to limit myself to a single kata that would be the one. Each of the other kata add a few techniques until you get into the really different ones such as Niseishi and Jion but Kushanku has most of the basic kata techniques.

[Oshishinobu]

This interesting because in the past one kata was an entire style! It then went on to being a couple of kata per style. I remember Funakoshi once writing that a master would know around 3-5 kata.

There is a big difference between knowing a kata and really knowing one in its very bones. I know the 15 Wado Ryu kata but I really only properly know Kushanku, Naifanchi and maybe Bassai. Kushanku is the reason for the Pinans and represent the very core of the style for me, if I had to limit myself to a single kata that would be the one. Each of the other kata add a few techniques until you get into the really different ones such as Niseishi and Jion but Kushanku has most of the basic kata techniques.

OSU!

I completely agree, I "know" most of the shotokan kata but I focus on only a few. I think you have to have a understanding off how to use each movement and be able to adapt the kata to multiple situations. A lot of times the kata isn't a straight forward "do this and this" but more of a general " go this way with this feeling". I see bassai uke as someone a kin to this idea. The kata wants us to cut off the attack the movement itself can be a "block" a throw or even a thrust with a bo but the main I sea is to move forward and cut off the opponent.

OSU!

[Kusotare]

Kushanku is the reason for the Pinans and represent the very core of the style for me, if I had to limit myself to a single kata that would be the one. Each of the other kata add a few techniques until you get into the really different ones such as Niseishi and Jion but Kushanku has most of the basic kata techniques.

The Pinan Kata diverge into Kushanku and then ultimately (with the introduction Naihanchi and Seishan) - Chinto.

Therefore Chinto is the summit of Wado kata - although there is a lot of learning from the other Kata to be done along the way. Otherwise you are just going through the motions.

K.

[Spartacus Maximus]

To answer the original question I will say the Naihanchi series. These kata appear short and simple, but they contain all of the fundamental principles of the Shorin ryu system. Naihanchi is to Shorin ryu what Sanchin is to Goju ryu. All exponents and instructors of Shorin ryu swear by it and spend more time on them than any other kata. In my dojo the series are the only kata done every day besides kihon kata.