Wado ryu Kata: Part I of II

"A kata may be regarded as an integration of offensive and defensive techniques, but it is more than that. One should try to understand the spirit of the master karateka who created the kata, for it has a life of its own and requires five or six year

   "A kata may be regarded as an integration of offensive and defensive techniques, but it is more than that. One should try to understand the spirit of the master karateka who created the kata, for it has a life of its own and requires five or six years to be mastered."
- Hironori Ohtsuka, Wado-Ryu founder

Kata - "Formal movements"; in the context of Japanese martial arts, an "imaginary fight".
Bunkai - Principles and application of kata.

Wado-Ryu kata tend to use the Okinawan names. Alternate names included are the Japanese / Shotokan names, unless otherwise indicated. The kata included in any particular dojo's curriculum may vary from this list, however. As such, this list is intended to be informative to those interested in kata history, rather than suggestive of what should be required to learn. I also do not pretend that my information is complete / perfect, due to a lack of written records in early "te" history, and ongoing debate.
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Pinan (Heian) series: Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan, and Godan
"Peaceful Mind" Numbers 1-5. Said to be created by Anko Itosu in 1905 or 1906, basing them on Kushanku, and a forgotten kata called Channan. There is some debate as to whether Kushanku was instead formulated from the Pinan series, however. Ohtsuka-meijin studied the Pinan series under both Funakoshi- and Mabuni-sensei. Ohtsuka later made modifications to these kata under the direction of Mabuni, and also used influences from Shindo Yoshin ryu jujutsu.
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Kushanku (Kanku Dai)
"Sky Viewing". Said to be the most advanced of all Okinawan kata. Ohtsuka-sensei studied Kushanku under Funakoshi- and Mabuni-sensei.
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Chinto (Gankaku)
"Fighting to the East" / "Crane on a Rock". Formulated in Tomari from the teachings of a Chinese sailor of the same name, this kata was based mostly on White Crane Kung-Fu and later adopted into shuri-te. Ohtsuka-sensei studied variations of this kata under masters Funakoshi and Mabuni.
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Seishan (Hangetsu)
"13 Hands"/"Crescent Moon". It is based on movements brought from Fukien to Naha circa 1700. Ohtsuka-sensei also knew and taught the shuri-te version of Seishan.
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Naifanchi / Naihanchi (Tekki Shodan)
"Holding your ground", "The Iron Horse", or "Battlefield". Named after naihanchi dachi, which the kata centers around. This kata was transmitted by Matsumura-sensei throughout Shuri and Tomari sometime before 1825. Master Ohtsuka learned Naifanchi from Motobu-sensei, although it appears Ohtsuka’s Naifanchi is slightly different from Motobu’s.
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Bassai
"To Penetrate A Fortress". An Okinawan Tomari-te kata. It uses dynamic stances and hip rotation to find a way past attacks. The Shotokan, Shito, and Wado ryu versions of Bassai are directly based upon Master Itosu’s Bassai. Ohtsuka-meijin learned Bassai from Funakoshi-sensei.
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Wanshu (Empi)
"Flying Swallow". A Tomari-te kata based on movements brought to Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese envoy of the same name. Ohtsuka-sensei learned Wanshu from Master Funakoshi.
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Jion
"Temple Sounds" / "In the Jion-ji Shaolin Temple". A Tomari-te kata, it is named after the Jion-Je, a Buddhist temple. This is a strong kata Ohtsuka studied under Funakoshi and Mabuni.
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Jutte (Jitte - alternate spelling)
"Ten Hands". It is said that anyone who masters this Tomari-te kata has the strength of 5 men. Ohtsuka learned this kata under Funakoshi and Mabuni.
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Rohai (Meikyo)
"Clear Mirror", "The Mirror of the Soul", or "White Heron". Originally a Tomari-te kata, a version of it was taught by Itosu-sensei. Itosu Rohai was taught by Master Mabuni to Ohtsuka. The Rohai practiced in Wado is known as Rohai Shodan, in Shotokan.
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Suparimpei (Pechurrin - Chinese name)
"108 Steps" (represents the 108 evil spirits of man). Developed from a Chinese form used in systems including Dragon Boxing and Tiger Boxing. Practiced in Wado.
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Niseishi (Nijushiho)
Transmitted by Ankichi Aragaki, variations of this Shuri-te kata exist in Shotokan, Shito, and Wado.
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Unsu (Unshu - alternate spelling)
"Defense of a Cloud" or "Cloud Hand". This Tomari-te kata is practiced in Shotokan, Shito, and Wado.
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Kihon Kumite Kata (Basic Sparring Forms)
The 1st 10 out of the original 36 are still practiced in many Wado dojo. These kata are two-person drills that assist in understanding the principles found in solo kata.

Ipponme / Nihonme / Sanbonme / Yohonme / Gohonme
Rokuhonme / Shichihonme / Hachibonme / Kyuhonme / Juhonme

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The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he also runs his martial arts, video games, and anime store. For more information about Karate and the martial arts, please visit the Johnston Wado ryu Karate Forums.