what kata has your attention at the moment?

[Nidan Melbourne]

Well i have 3 currently; Bassai Dai (Shito-Ryu Version), Anan and Paiku.

All are fun and interesting to see what you can suck out of the kata for practical uses.

[JR 137]

I used to really focus on Seiunchin and Shushi No Kon (version taught by Nishiuchi) before I took my 15 year hiatus.

I haven't done either in several years, mainly because of gaps in memory of subtle stuff in them.

I've always been a huge Saiha fan. Every time an instructor says perform your favorite kata, I chose Saiha.

My focus has changed to Pinan 4 recently. I signed up for a tournament in June, and I'll do Pinan 4. I can't perform Saiha because I'm not allowed to do a kata outside of my current rank. It's a good reason to do a kata that I haven't done in competition and get better at it. My primary focus on performance is the side kick/backfist sin the middle, as that's my main weakness. I haven't spent as much time breaking down that kata as I have with others, so even better reason to do it.

Saiha never gets old for me. Short, to the point, and brutal elbows, hammer fists and joint locks. That ones got a bit of everything, and they're for me they're not too hard to see. A lot of bunkai out there is a bit too complex IMO, but I've pulled some pretty simple and brutally effective bunkai out of it beyond block/punch/kick. And I can make it more complex if I want to. The same can be said for any kata, but Saiha just makes so much more sense to me than any other kata. I'm a big fan of 2-3 movement at most bunkai. No need to "re-stomp the groin" with Saiha.

[Oshishinobu]

At the moment Jion and Wanshu are receiving my focus as I require them for when I sit my Shodan later in the year. Also sharpening up all my Pinan Katas for the same reason. My favourite though, has to be Chinto, I think it's a beautiful Kata to watch and when you perform it right, it feels great. It's one that can go wrong very easily though.

Mo.

Absolutely love Gankaku/Chinto and yes it can go very wrong very quickly. I for some reason have trouble keeping my balance on the left leg sagiashi-dachi. which I find odd as I favor my right leg. love the opening though can't go wrong in my book with a full 180 spin lol

[Oshishinobu]

I used to really focus on Seiunchin and Shushi No Kon (version taught by Nishiuchi) before I took my 15 year hiatus.

I haven't done either in several years, mainly because of gaps in memory of subtle stuff in them.

I've always been a huge Saiha fan. Every time an instructor says perform your favorite kata, I chose Saiha.

My focus has changed to Pinan 4 recently. I signed up for a tournament in June, and I'll do Pinan 4. I can't perform Saiha because I'm not allowed to do a kata outside of my current rank. It's a good reason to do a kata that I haven't done in competition and get better at it. My primary focus on performance is the side kick/backfist sin the middle, as that's my main weakness. I haven't spent as much time breaking down that kata as I have with others, so even better reason to do it.

Saiha never gets old for me. Short, to the point, and brutal elbows, hammer fists and joint locks. That ones got a bit of everything, and they're for me they're not too hard to see. A lot of bunkai out there is a bit too complex IMO, but I've pulled some pretty simple and brutally effective bunkai out of it beyond block/punch/kick. And I can make it more complex if I want to. The same can be said for any kata, but Saiha just makes so much more sense to me than any other kata. I'm a big fan of 2-3 movement at most bunkai. No need to "re-stomp the groin" with Saiha.

OSU!!! I have no experience with Saiha but I have to check it out. Pinan/Heian yondan can be a challenge but it will bare wonderful fruits. work on the side kick back fist section break it down. it seems so silly at first but the combo can be of great use. OSU!! good luck in the tournament!

[Oshishinobu]

Well i have 3 currently; Bassai Dai (Shito-Ryu Version), Anan and Paiku.

All are fun and interesting to see what you can suck out of the kata for practical uses.

Bassai dai/sho I think is one of shurite/tomari-te's best contributions to karate no matter the version a visually stunning and practical kata. The focus on one two timing trains the mind to always think in combinations.

[JR 137]

I used to really focus on Seiunchin and Shushi No Kon (version taught by Nishiuchi) before I took my 15 year hiatus.

I haven't done either in several years, mainly because of gaps in memory of subtle stuff in them.

I've always been a huge Saiha fan. Every time an instructor says perform your favorite kata, I chose Saiha.

My focus has changed to Pinan 4 recently. I signed up for a tournament in June, and I'll do Pinan 4. I can't perform Saiha because I'm not allowed to do a kata outside of my current rank. It's a good reason to do a kata that I haven't done in competition and get better at it. My primary focus on performance is the side kick/backfist sin the middle, as that's my main weakness. I haven't spent as much time breaking down that kata as I have with others, so even better reason to do it.

Saiha never gets old for me. Short, to the point, and brutal elbows, hammer fists and joint locks. That ones got a bit of everything, and they're for me they're not too hard to see. A lot of bunkai out there is a bit too complex IMO, but I've pulled some pretty simple and brutally effective bunkai out of it beyond block/punch/kick. And I can make it more complex if I want to. The same can be said for any kata, but Saiha just makes so much more sense to me than any other kata. I'm a big fan of 2-3 movement at most bunkai. No need to "re-stomp the groin" with Saiha.

OSU!!! I have no experience with Saiha but I have to check it out. Pinan/Heian yondan can be a challenge but it will bare wonderful fruits. work on the side kick back fist section break it down. it seems so silly at first but the combo can be of great use. OSU!! good luck in the tournament!

YouTube Kyokushin Saiha kata. It's subtly different than Okinawan versions, mainly the angles used in the opening sequence. Most Okinawan versions go straight forward into the elbow strikes; Kyokushin influenced styles typically go 45 degrees, which I like better.

[Oshishinobu]

I used to really focus on Seiunchin and Shushi No Kon (version taught by Nishiuchi) before I took my 15 year hiatus.

I haven't done either in several years, mainly because of gaps in memory of subtle stuff in them.

I've always been a huge Saiha fan. Every time an instructor says perform your favorite kata, I chose Saiha.

My focus has changed to Pinan 4 recently. I signed up for a tournament in June, and I'll do Pinan 4. I can't perform Saiha because I'm not allowed to do a kata outside of my current rank. It's a good reason to do a kata that I haven't done in competition and get better at it. My primary focus on performance is the side kick/backfist sin the middle, as that's my main weakness. I haven't spent as much time breaking down that kata as I have with others, so even better reason to do it.

Saiha never gets old for me. Short, to the point, and brutal elbows, hammer fists and joint locks. That ones got a bit of everything, and they're for me they're not too hard to see. A lot of bunkai out there is a bit too complex IMO, but I've pulled some pretty simple and brutally effective bunkai out of it beyond block/punch/kick. And I can make it more complex if I want to. The same can be said for any kata, but Saiha just makes so much more sense to me than any other kata. I'm a big fan of 2-3 movement at most bunkai. No need to "re-stomp the groin" with Saiha.

OSU!!! I have no experience with Saiha but I have to check it out. Pinan/Heian yondan can be a challenge but it will bare wonderful fruits. work on the side kick back fist section break it down. it seems so silly at first but the combo can be of great use. OSU!! good luck in the tournament!

YouTube Kyokushin Saiha kata. It's subtly different than Okinawan versions, mainly the angles used in the opening sequence. Most Okinawan versions go straight forward into the elbow strikes; Kyokushin influenced styles typically go 45 degrees, which I like better.

I will have to check it out. Kyokushin has a some neat variations of kata always liked the meageri in sandan. personally I am not a fan of their kanku but bare in mind I love Kankudai lol

[JR 137]

This may give you a different opinion of Kanku...

The late, great William Oliver. According to everyone I know who knew him, he did every kata like that - full of power and fighting spirit. I doubt he'd turn any WKF heads with it, but tell me it doesn't look like he just unleashed a can of whoop-butt on anything that crossed his path.

I have to wait until sandan to learn it.

One that I always wanted to learn is Unsu. My old organization did it at sandan, and Seido doesn't do it...

[Nidan Melbourne]

I used to really focus on Seiunchin and Shushi No Kon (version taught by Nishiuchi) before I took my 15 year hiatus.

I haven't done either in several years, mainly because of gaps in memory of subtle stuff in them.

I've always been a huge Saiha fan. Every time an instructor says perform your favorite kata, I chose Saiha.

My focus has changed to Pinan 4 recently. I signed up for a tournament in June, and I'll do Pinan 4. I can't perform Saiha because I'm not allowed to do a kata outside of my current rank. It's a good reason to do a kata that I haven't done in competition and get better at it. My primary focus on performance is the side kick/backfist sin the middle, as that's my main weakness. I haven't spent as much time breaking down that kata as I have with others, so even better reason to do it.

Saiha never gets old for me. Short, to the point, and brutal elbows, hammer fists and joint locks. That ones got a bit of everything, and they're for me they're not too hard to see. A lot of bunkai out there is a bit too complex IMO, but I've pulled some pretty simple and brutally effective bunkai out of it beyond block/punch/kick. And I can make it more complex if I want to. The same can be said for any kata, but Saiha just makes so much more sense to me than any other kata. I'm a big fan of 2-3 movement at most bunkai. No need to "re-stomp the groin" with Saiha.

Personally I'm not a fan of Saifa/Saiha, maybe because I've done it god knows how many times and also the sheer number of variations that I've been shown makes it kinda boring tbh!

But there are many techniques in it that I see as being useful in a Self-Defence Situation.

What Club/Association are you with? I ask because I personally find it interesting that an association will not allow you to perform any kata outside of your current rank. It might just be me where I am so used to the WKF Format where you can (Now they have removed the Shitei Kata) perform any kata you wish

[cheesefrysamurai]

Right now shisochin.

If my Saifa was better it may be a favorite. Between the unorthodox movement and the ever deepening complexity of its technique and purpose... I'm not sure it will ever gain my favor.

I like seiyunchin very much but I feel its very physically demanding.

Gotta love Okinawan Goju. There's way more then could be captured in a video or learned from a book.

The kata I've had the shortest is shisochin.

My Saifa is my weakest.

is there one one you just love to train?