Kata
Japanese Name
Kanji	型 or 形
Hiragana	かた
Kobudo kata with staff Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji   ) are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana (平仮名), katakana (片仮名), and the Arabic numerals. ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji Hiragana ) is a Japanese syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system, along with katakana and kanji; the Latin alphabet is also used in some cases. ... Download high resolution version (1200x1097, 146 KB)Kazuma Nitta performs a Kubudo Kata with a staff for the judges at the Open Karate Tournament in Japan, 2004. ...

Kata (型 or 形) (literally: "form") is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater forms like kabuki and schools of tea ceremony (chadō), but are most commonly known for the presence in the martial arts. Kata are used by most traditional Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, such as aikido, iaidō, jōdō, judo, jujutsu, kendo and karate. Other arts such as t'ai chi ch'uan and taekwondo feature the same kind of training, but use the respective Chinese and Korean words instead. The Kabukiza in Ginza is one of Tokyos leading kabuki theaters. ... This article is about the prefecture. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Aikido ), translated as the way of harmonious spirit, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. ... Respect shown to the sword (To·ne·rei) before and after practice. ... Jodo (Japanese:杖術), or Jojutsu, is a Japanese martial art using staves (jo), similar to bojutsu, in defense against the Japanese sword. ... Judo ), meaning gentle way, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Kendo ), or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... Karate ) ( ) or karate-dō ) is a martial art that developed from a synthesis of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting methods and Chinese kempo [1]. Karate originally meant Tang hand, i. ... Tai Chi Chuan or Taijiquan (Chinese: 太極拳; pinyin: ; literally supreme ultimate fist), commonly known as Tai Chi, Tai Chi, or Taiji, is a nei chia (internal) Chinese martial art which is known for the claims of health and longevity benefits made by its practitioners and... Taekwondo (also spelled tae kwon do or taekwon-do) is a martial art and combat sport originating in Korea. ...

Explanation

In Japanese martial arts practice, kata is often seen as an essential partner to randori training with one complementing the other. However, the actual type and frequency of kata versus randori training varies from art to art. In iaidō, solo kata using the Japanese sword (katana) comprises almost all of the training. Whereas in judo, kata training is de-emphasized and usually only prepared for dan grading. Randori (乱取り) is a term used in Japanese martial arts to describe free-style practice or sparring, sometimes with multiple attackers. ... Respect shown to the sword (To·ne·rei) before and after practice. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Judo ), meaning gentle way, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. ... // Definition Dan rank is a Japanese mark of level, used in several cultural activities of Japanese origin. ...

In kenjutsu, paired kata at the beginners level can appear to be stilted. At higher levels serious injury is prevented only by a high sensitivity of both participants to important concepts being taught and trained for. These include timing and distance, with the kata practiced at high speed. This adjustability of kata training is found in other Japanese arts with roles of attacker and defender often interchanging within the sequence. Kenjutsu ), meaning the craft, art, or science of the sword, is a Japanese martial art that uses a specific methodology to teach the use of the katana (Japanese sword). ...

Many martial arts use kata for public demonstrations and in competitions, awarding points for such aspects of technique as style, balance, timing, and verisimilitude (appearance of being real).

Kata in Karate

Main article: Karate kata

Motobu Choki Naihanchi

The most popular image associated with kata is that of a karate practitioner performing a series of punches and kicks in the air. The kata are executed as a specified series of approximately 20 to 70 moves, generally with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. There are perhaps 100 kata across the various forms of karate, each with many minor variations. The number of moves in a kata may be referred to in the name of the kata, e.g., Gojushiho, which means "54 steps." The number of moves may also have links with Buddhist spirituality. The number 108 is significant in Buddhism, and kata with 54, 36, or 27 moves (divisors of 108) are common. The practitioner is generally counselled to visualize the enemy attacks, and his or her responses, as actually occurring, and karateka are often told to "read" a kata, to explain the imagined events. This article or section is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (426x665, 99 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Karate Motobu Choki Kata Naihanchi Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (426x665, 99 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Karate Motobu Choki Kata Naihanchi Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or... Naihanchi / Tekki Kata Naihanchi (or Naifuanchi) translates as ‘internal divided conflict’. It is a powerful kata, performed in straddle stance (naihanchi-dachi / kiba-dachi / shiko-dachi). ... Karate ) ( ) or karate-dō ) is a martial art that developed from a synthesis of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting methods and Chinese kempo [1]. Karate originally meant Tang hand, i. ...

Kata in Judo

Judo has several kata, mostly created in the late 19th century by Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo. All but one of the judo kata involve two participants. Judo kata preserve a number of techniques that are not permitted in competition or in randori, including punches, kicks, and the use of the katana and other weapons. The study of kata is usually begun much later in judo than in karate, typically at around the brown belt level. The most commonly studied judo kata is Nage-no-kata, which consists of fifteen throwing techniques. The Katame-no-kata is composed of pinning techniques, chokes, and joint locks. Kime-no-kata is a long kata consisting of self-defense techniques against both unarmed attacks, and attacks with swords and knives. Judo ), meaning gentle way, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. ... Dr. Jigorō Kanō (嘉納 治五郎 Kanō Jigorō, 1860 in Kobe, Japan - 1938) is the founder of Judo. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Nage-no-kata is a throwing kata in judo. ... Katame no Kata (Grappling Forms) is a set of prearranged techniques in Judo. ... Kime no kata is a self-defense oriented series of katas in judo. ...

Criticism of kata training

The effectiveness of kata as a training method is often debated in martial arts circles.

The critics frequently make the following claims:

• Kata training does not teach anything that is useful in a self-defence or fighting situation.
• A kata is just a "dead pattern", and by following a pattern one becomes bound by it
• Kata are taught because they provide an easy source of income for the instructor
• Kata are unnecessary ritual and tradition for tradition's sake

The proponents often claim that:

• Kata is the syllabus of any given traditional style. The practise of kata is analogous to studying classical music. Although a musician can create songs learning only a few basic chords, there is no doubt that a musician with a broad classical training can create music of far greater depth. The same holds true for karate studies. There is a point, reached very early on, which all but the most gifted few cannot go beyond without in-depth training. Kihon are the basic chords, kata are the songs. Once learned and understood, the practitioner has skill-set allowing greater variations.
• Although a kata in its entirety can not be effectively implemented in self-defence, individual movements (such as breaking a wrist lock) can be applied to real-world situations.
• Kata give a better understanding of the theories taught by a style
• Kata serves as a catalog of techniques which can be smoothly implemented in sequence
• Kata was developed as a means of hiding the true application of a technique so that only an initiate can apply it with maximum effect
• Some techniques are too dangerous for sparring and can only be safely practised in a pre-arranged fashion
• Sparring with padded weapons is too unrealistic and limiting; kata allows for training the full range of weapon techniques and weapons
• Practising kata is akin to moving meditation, providing increased focus, awareness and self-discipline
• Kata is an essential tradition, preserving the teachings of previous generations

The debate of "kata vs. sparring" is not a new one and is unlikely to be resolved soon. Nevertheless, the two methods may not be as far from each other as they may seem. Advanced students in traditional arts may diverge from the form and introduce variation, while a modern martial artist might train a combination of punches in a kata-like fashion. It is also important to bear in mind that in most arts, kata is just one aspect of the style's overall training regimen. A large statue in Bangalore depicting Shiva meditating Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness. ...

"Kata" in the martial arts of other countries

In Korean martial arts such as taekwondo and tangsudo ("tang soo do"), the Korean word hyung is usually employed, though in some cases other words are used. The ITF uses the Korean word tul while the World Taekwondo Federation uses the word poomsae or simply the English translations "pattern" or "form." Taekwondo (also spelled tae kwon do or taekwon-do) is a martial art and combat sport originating in Korea. ... Tangsoodo or Tang Soo Do is a traditional Korean martial arts. ... A hyung, poomsae or tul (casually referred to as forms) is a martial arts form that is typically used in a Korean martial art. ... The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) was founded in 1966 by Major General Choi Hong Hi six years before his exile from South Korea in 1972 and seven years before the WTF. His first visit of good will to North Korea was in 1980, when he introduced Taekwon-Do there. ... A hyung, poomsae or tul (casually referred to as forms) is a martial arts form that is typically used in a Korean martial art. ... The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) is the International Federation (IF) member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the competition events of the martial art of Taekwondo. ... A pattern is a form, template, or model (or, more abstractly, a set of rules) which can be used to make or to generate things or parts of a thing, especially if the things that are generated have enough in common for the underlying pattern to be inferred or discerned...

In Vietnamese martial arts, e.g., vovinam viet vo dao the Vietnamese word quyen is used. Vovinam is a type of Vietnamese martial arts. ... Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo, Minden, Germany Việt Võ Đạo or 越武道 is the Philosophy behind many vietnamese martial arts. ... Quyen is the vietnamese word for what Karate calls a Kata. ...

In Chinese martial arts, forms are known as taolu. Modern forms are used in wushu competitions. Chinese martial arts describes the enormous variety of martial art styles originating in China. ... Gun (staff) event at the 10th All China Games Wushu (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally martial arts), also known as modern wushu or contemporary wushu, is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. ...