Favored form or kata

[Spartacus Maximus]

Forms are a staple of training in a great variety of systems, especially those from China, Okinawa and Japan. There are many accounts of exponents and notable practitioners specializing in one or two forms.

Of all the kata/forms taught in your system, which one could you rely on the most? Which is your specialty and of which one are you most knowledgeable and capable?

[Nidan Melbourne]

Well my most reliable is Seisan (Surprisingly) as it does have several techniques that are unique to it and not found in other katas from my school.

But my most knowledgable and capable is Suparenpei.

[Zaine]

When I was a teenager, my friend fell in love with Seisan, and I fell in love with Wanshu. We spent hours practicing our respective favorite kata. However, as I got older, I found myself practicing techniques in the Pinan set more than anything. I found myself employed those techniques in sparring, and have focused a lot of time on those.

[JR 137]

Saiha. To me it seems brutally effective and simple. No movements that seem like they'd only work if the stars and planets are aligned a certain way.

Honestly, If I trained Sanchin daily the way I think it should be trained (see Uechi Ryu Sanchin testing) and worked on perfecting applications for Saiha everyday, I'd need very, very little else IMO. Not that that wouldn't get monotonous after several years though.

[sensei8]

Of all the kata/forms taught in your system, which one could you rely on the most?

Each and every single one of them!! One, not more important than another because each, in their own unique ways, offer something effective within an unbeknown parameter, found in and out of Oyo Bunkai!!

From the most basic to the most advanced, each one offers more than one can ever imagine; practitioners are only limited by their own lack.

Which is your specialty and of which one are you most knowledgeable and capable?

Within Shindokan?? Every single kata, both open hand and weapons; none more special than another!! I've more than an passable avid capability and knowledge within Shindokan.

We're taught, and we teach, to favor not one single kata, both open and weapons, over another another. To do so, that, right there, limits us beyond any foreseen forgone conclusions that might be controlled by outside forces.

That's just who we are, by and through the manner of which we were taught by Soke and Dai-Soke, and that's what we strive for; equality of knowledge, and not selective knowledge.

[Wastelander]

Everything is Naihanchi. Admittedly, I practice two versions of Naihanchi, but even so, everything is Naihanchi. From a structural and application perspective, you don't really need anything else. I do still like Tawada Passai quite a bit, though, as well as Seiyunchin

[neoravencroft]

I would have to say Sanchin and Sil Lim Tau

[bushido_man96]

Mine was Gae Baek. I absolutely loved that form, and did it a lot. Since I've been in my current organization, it was probably my most successful form in competition, too.

[sensei8]

Outside of Shindokan, I do favor two Kata's, each have helped me during my weekend warrior days. They are...

Unsu

Wankan

Both from Shotokan. Wankan is the shortest Shotokan Dan kata, but contains a treasure trove of applications. Unsu, is of course, longer than Wankan, but it's akin to a tornado inside of a volcano; transition movements are all over the place, but the resolve of the kata is undeniable...and its applications, well, I've not ran out of effective Oyo Bunkai yet.

[mazzybear]

I think Chinto is my favourite kata. When it done right, it's a beautiful kata. The flow is very graceful. I not practiced it much lately due to working on others for an upcoming competition and my dan grading.

Mo.