Kata (型 or 形, literally: "form"^?) is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general.

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 aikidō, iaidō, jōdō, jūdō, jūjutsu, kenjutsu, kendō 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 taolu and hyeong, respectively.

Background[link]

Kata originally were teaching/training methods by which successful combat techniques were preserved and passed on. Practicing kata allowed a company of persons to engage in a struggle using a systematic approach, rather than as individuals in a disorderly manner.^[1]

The basic goal of kata is to preserve and transmit proven techniques. By practicing in a repetitive manner the learner develops the ability to execute those techniques and movements in a natural, reflex-like manner. Systematic practice does not mean permanently rigid. The goal is to internalize the movements and techniques of a kata so they can be executed and adapted under different circumstances, without thought or hesitation. A novice’s actions will look uneven and difficult, while a master’s appear simple and smooth.^[2]

The OED records kata as a loanword in English, from the 1950s in reference to the Judo katas due to Jigoro Kano, and from the 1970s also of Karate katas; but the word has come to be used as a generic term for "forms" in martial arts in general, or even figuratively applied to other fields.

Japanese martial arts[link]

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.

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.

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).

2005 cadet world karate champion ^[3] Emmanuelle Fumonde, Sainte-Suzanne (Réunion)

Karate[link]

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., Gojūshiho, which means "54 steps." The number of moves may also have links with Buddhist spirituality. The number 108 is significant in Buddhism & Hinduism, signifying the 108 ways the mind can behave (Upanishads) 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 responses, as actually occurring, and karateka are often told to "read" a kata, to explain the imagined events. The study of the meaning of the movements is referred to as the bunkai, meaning analysis, of the kata.

One explanation of the use of kata is as a reference guide for a set of moves. Not to be used following that "set" pattern but to keep the movements "filed". After learning these kata, this set of learned skills can then be used in a sparring scenario (particularly without points). The main objective here is to try out different combinations of techniques in a safe, practice environment to ultimately find out how to defeat your opponent.

Nathan Johnson claims that most antique karate kata were developed for use with weapons rather than as open hand techniques.^[4]

In kata the blocking movements are often performed while moving forward, which wouldn't be practical during the 'Bunkai'. These blocking movements would be performed during a Tai sabaki (体捌き), stepping-back action, where the opponent's attack would be avoided and the block would be a mere cover.

Koshiki-no-kata by Kano(l) and Yamashita(r)

Judo[link]

Judo has several kata, mostly created in the late 19th century by Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo. 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 typically at around the green 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.

Aka with stick (4 Winds)

Non-Japanese martial arts[link]

In Burmese martial arts, there are many akas. Bando practitioners (Bandoist) need to understand various types of body structure first. There are nine "Bando basic forms" in the Bando system (Hanthawaddy bando system) and 9 animal forms.

A defensive form in the "point-form" (bando)

In Korean martial arts such as taekwondo and tangsudo, the Korean word hyung is usually employed, though in some cases other words are used. The International Taekwon-Do Federation uses the Korean word tul, while the World Taekwondo Federation uses the word poomsae or simply the English translations "pattern" or "form." TKD patterns have multiple variations including Palgwe and the more popular Taeguk forms used by the WTF. Forms are included in certain taekwondo competitions and are a key element of gradings.

In Vietnamese martial arts, e.g., vovinam viet vo dao the Vietnamese word quyen is used.

In Chinese martial arts, forms are known as taolu. Modern forms are used in wushu competitions.

In Indonesian martial arts, mainly Silat and Pencak Silat, forms with the upper body are known as djurus, forms with the lower body are known as langkah, and forms with the whole body are known as dasar pasang.

Outside of martial arts[link]

More recently, kata has come to be used in English in a more general or figurative sense, referring to any basic form, routine, or pattern of behavior that is practiced to various levels of mastery.^[5]

In Japanese language, kata (though written as 方) is a frequently-used suffix meaning “way of doing,” with emphasis on the form and order of the process. Other meanings are “training method” and “formal exercise.” The goal of a painter’s practicing, for example, is to merge his consciousness with his brush; the potter’s with his clay; the garden designer’s with the materials of the garden. Once such mastery is achieved, the theory goes, the doing of a thing perfectly is as easy as thinking it.^[6]

One of the things that characterizes an organization’s culture are its kata - its routines of thinking and practice.^[7] Edgar Schein suggests an organization's culture helps it cope with its environment,^[8] and one meaning of kata is, "a way to keep two things in sync or harmony with one another." A task for leaders and managers is to create and maintain the organizational culture through consistent role modeling, teaching, and coaching, which is in many ways analogous to how martial-arts kata are taught.

See also[link]

• Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
• Practice (learning method)
• Procedural memory
• Shu Ha Ri

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2011)

1. ^ Rosenbaum, Michael. Kata and the Transmission of Knowledge in Traditional Martial Arts. YMAA Publication Center, Boston, 2004.
2. ^ Rosenbaum, Michael. Kata and the Transmission of Knowledge in Traditional Martial Arts. YMAA Publication Center, Boston, 2004.
3. ^ "World junior and cadet champsionships 2005". http://www.karaterec.com/en/contests/world-junior-and-cadet-championships-2005/. 
4. ^ Johnson, Nathan (2006). The Great Karate Myth. The Wykeham Press. ISBN 0-9549609-3-9. 
5. ^ Shook, John. Managing to Learn. Lean Enterprise Institute, 2008, p. 32
6. ^ DeMenthe, Boye Lafayette. Kata, The Key to Understanding and Dealing with the Japanese! Tuttle Publishing, 2003, pp. 1-3
7. ^ Ichijo, Kazuo and Nonaka, Ikujiro, Knowledge Creation and Management: New Challenges for Managers, Oxford University Press, 2006, page 25
8. ^ Schein, Edgar. Organizational Culture and Leadership: A Dynamic View. Jossey-Bass, 1985, p. 57

External links[link]

• Information on the Kata of Judo.
• Judo Kata videos.
• Karate, Okinawan Kobudo and Kendo Kata videos.
• karate shotokan kata video.

Morio Higaonna (Higaonna Morio, born December 25, 1938) is a prominent Okinawan karate practitioner who is the founder and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF).^[1][2] He is a holder of the highest rank in Goju-ryu karate, 10th dan.^[1] Higaonna has written several books on Goju-ryu karate, including Traditional Karate-do: Okinawa Goju Ryu (1985)^[3] and The history of Karate: Okinawan Goju Ryu (2001).^[4] Martial arts scholar Donn Draeger (1922–1982) reportedly once described him as "the most dangerous man in Japan in a real fight."^[5][6][7]

Early life[link]

Higaonna was born on December 25, 1938, in Naha, Okinawa.^[8][9][10] He began studying Shōrin-ryū karate at the age of 14 with his father and then with his friend Tsunetaka Shimabukuro.^[8] It was Shimabukuro who recommended that Higaonna learn Goju-ryu karate at Chojun Miyagi's garden dojo (training hall).^[8] In the late 1950s, he began training under Ei'ichi Miyazato^[11][12] (the most senior student of Chojun Miyagi, 1888–1953, who founded the Goju-ryu style) and An'ichi Miyagi^[13] (who was reportedly like an adopted son of, though not related to, C. Miyagi).

Higaonna was awarded black belt status by Miyazato in 1957.^[10] In 1960, he moved to Tokyo to study at Takushoku University.^[8] On December 30 of that year, Higaonna was promoted to the rank of 3rd dan at the first all-style dan grading of the Okinawa Karate-do Renmei.^[8][13] He was invited to teach at Tokyo's Yoyogi dojo, where he attracted a large following of karateka (practitioners of karate).^[13][14]

Promoting Goju-ryu across the world[link]

In July 1979, Higaonna founded the IOGKF in Poole, England.^[2][8] He was ranked 7th dan at the time.^[15] In 1980, Higaonna married a US student, Alanna Stevens, and their son Eric was born in November that year.^[16] The family lived in Okinawa from May 1981 to May 1985, then in Tokyo from 1985 to 1987.^[16]

In September 1987, Higaonna moved with his family to Southern California to establish a new dojo.^[16] With San Marcos as a base,^[16][17][18] he began hosting budo festivals while continuing to research, practice, and travel worldwide to teach, such as in the former Soviet Union.^[16] Higaonna received his 8th dan and 9th dan promotions from Yuchoku Higa.^[19] In 2004, Higaonna was a member of the Okinawan Karatedo and Kobudo Encyclopedia Committee.^[9]

Higaonna later returned to live in Japan,^[16] and attained the rank of 10th dan in September 2007.^[2] His wife, Alanna Higaonna, is Administrative Director^[20] and an Advisor^[21] for the IOGKF, and his son, Eric Higaonna, is also a karateka.^[16] Higaonna remains active in karate, teaching in his home city, in Tsuboya, Naha, Okinawa.^[2][12]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Higaonna Dojo, Naha, Okinawa

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Chatan Yara
Born	1740 Shuri,  Japan Ryūkyū Kingdom
Died	1812 (aged 143–144)
Style	Te
Teacher(s)	Wong Chung-Yoh, Kusanku
Notable students	Peichin Takahara

Chatan Yara (北谷 屋良, Chatan Yara ^?, 1740 – 1812), aka Yara Guwa, Ueekata, Yomitan Yara, is credited with being one of the first to disseminate the art of Te throughout Okinawa. Yara is most noted for teaching Takahara Peichin who would later be the sensei of Sakugawa Kanga, the father of Okinawan karate. Depending on Sakugawa's birth date, Yara may have been his teacher also (based on the kata he taught).

Yara was from Chatan Village, on Okinawa Island.

History[link]

According to most accounts, Yara's parents sent him to China at the age of 12 under the advice of his uncle to study the Chinese language and the martial arts. It was here he mastered the use of a the bo staff and twin sais under the guidance of his teacher Wong Chung-Yoh.^[1]

Shortly after returning to Shuri around 1800, Yara came to the assistance of a woman being harassed by a samurai. First avoiding the samurai's sword attacks, Yara acquired an eku (oar) from a nearby boat and successfully disarmed and killed the samurai.^[2] Soon after this rescue, he was recruited by local officials to teach his martial art to the local community for the purpose of self-defense.

References[link]

See also[link]

Pechin/Peichin

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Antonio Magsaysay-Diaz was a politician and lawyer. He served in the House of Representatives of the Philippines representing Zambales for three separate tenures - 1969 to 1972, 1992 to 2001, and 2004 until his death on August 3, 2011.^[1]

Diaz's mother, Mercedes, was the sister for former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay.^[1]

Early life[link]

Diaz, a member of the Magsaysay political clan of Zambales, served the province variously as vice governor and representative since the 1960s. A lawyer, he was one of the longest-serving politicians in the province and was known for supporting the education of students from poor families in his district.^{[citation needed]}

Diaz obtained a law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1954.^[1]

According to a statement from the family, Diaz gave the bulk of his pork barrel funds to his scholarship program which included the provision of tuition money and stipends to some 500,000 high school and college students not only in his district but in the entire province. In the last 10 years, Diaz allocated approximately P500,000 million for this program alone.^{[citation needed]}

Records from Diaz's office showed that public school students in the district receive at least P1,000 each a year while those in private schools get at least P4,000 each. Camat said the funds given to students are supplemented by bonuses and other forms of assistance given to the scholars and their families. He said the scholarship program was the key to Diaz’s political clout with voters in the province.^{[citation needed]}

He made his career in government service, starting out as deputy customs commissioner (1963–1964), head of the legal department of the Land Reform Commission (1964–1965), and was subsequently elected vice governor of Zambales (1967–1969), before winning the first of many congressional terms in 1969. He was also a member of the Batasang Pambansa in 1984. Diaz’s mother, Mercedes, is a sister of the late President Ramon Magsaysay.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life[link]

He was married by Felmida V. Diaz with four children: Ramon Victor, Roderick Albert, Roberto Carlos and Rica Victoria, daughters-in-law Anna, Carla and Maria, son-in-law Ronald Arambulo and grandchildren Regina, Marianna Antonia, Bianca Alberta, Ricardo, Rafael, Sabrina Victoria and Sidney Louise.

Education[link]

• Elementary: Castillejos Elementary School (1934–1940)
• High School: Letran College (1940–1950)
• College: Ateneo de Manila University; Associate in Arts, graduated Magna Cum Laude (1952) and Bachelor of Laws (1954)

Career history[link]

• Professor of political science of Far Eastern University (1955–1957)
• Head executive assistant; Head, legal department of Land Reform Commission (1956–1958)
• Vice president of Federation of Free Farmers (1956–1957)
• Barangay captain of Santa Maria, Castillejos, Zambales (1958–1961)
• Chief executive assistant Department of Finance (1961–1963)
• Deputy commissioner, Bureau of Customs (1963–1964)
• Legal consultant, Benguet Consolidated Mining Corporation (1964–1966)
• Chairperson, PNB Provident Fund of Philippine National Bank (1966–1970)
• Provincial vice governor of Zambales (1967–1969)
• Director of Philippine National Railways (1967–1969)
• Representative, lone district, Zambales House of Representatives (1969–1972)
• Director and senior vice president, Philtrust Company (1978–1984)
• Representative of Batasang Pambansa (1984–1986)
• Deputy minister, Department of Tourism (1985–1986)
• Partner, Albano, Garcia, Diaz Law Office (1987–1992)
• Representative, 2nd district, Zambales House of Representatives (1992–2001; 2004–2010)

Death[link]

He died on August 3, 2011 (Wednesday) cause of multiple organ failure secondary to sepsis and pneumonia at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.^[1] He was 83. Teodoro Camat, who heads Diaz’s office in Zambales’ 2nd congressional district, said the lawmaker died at 6:20 a.m. Camat said Diaz’s body will be taken to the Iba Cathedral here on Saturday after necrological services at the House of Representatives. The body will then be transferred for the wake in his hometown at San Marcelino, Zambales.

References[link]

Hirokazu Kanazawa (金澤 弘和, Kanazawa Hirokazu^?, born 3 May 1931) is a world-renowned Japanese master of Shotokan karate.^[1][2][3] He is the Chief instructor and President of the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation, an organisation he founded after he left the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Kanazawa is ranked 10th dan in karate.^[3]

Early life[link]

Kanazawa was born on 3 May 1931 in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.^[4][5][6] He trained in judo during his school years, and held the rank of 2nd dan in that martial art.^[3] He began training in karate whilst at Takushoku University under the then-head instructor of Shotokan karate, Masatoshi Nakayama.^[5] Kanazawa also learned from the founder of the Shotokan style, Gichin Funakoshi,^[7] and is one of the few living karateka (practitioners of karate) to have done so.

Kanazawa was promoted to the rank of 1st dan in Shotokan karate with less than two years of training in the art; promotion to 2nd dan came three years later.^[5] In 1956, he graduated from university and joined the JKA.^[8] That same year, he was promoted to 3rd dan.^[5] Kanazawa won the inaugural All Japan Karate Championship’s kumite (sparring) championship in 1957.^[9] He reportedly won the kumite competition with a broken hand.^[9] That same year, Kanazawa was among the first to graduate from the JKA's instructor training programme. In 1958, Kanazawa won the kata (patterns) title and shared the kumite title with Takayuki Mikami.^[9] Mikami and Kanazawa had been classmates and roommates for a long time and, because they knew each other well, they launched a minimal number of attacks, mainly just circling until the time was up; thus, they shared the kumite title.^[9]

Promoting Shotokan across the world[link]

In January 1961, the JKA sent Kanazawa to Hawaii to establish karate schools there.^[4] He was ranked 5th dan at the time.^[8] He established a dojo (training hall) and served as the inaugural President of the Hawaii Karate Congress.^[4] In May 1963, he left Hawaii to teach in Europe and Japan.^[4] In 1966, Kanazawa became Chief Instructor of the Karate Union of Great Britain, and the JKA promoted him to the rank of 6th dan that year.^[8] In 1973, the All Japan Karate Federation promoted him to 7th dan.^[8]

In 1977, Kanazawa left the JKA^[5] and founded the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF).^[6] Since then, he was taught and promoted karate through the SKIF, including the organisation of several karate world championship competitions.^[8] Despite leaving the JKA, he is reported to maintain some ties with former colleagues in that organisation.^[10] In 1990, Kanazawa demonstrated his art at the 10th Traditional Karate Tournament International, held in Las Vegas.^[11] In 1994 and 1995, he demonstrated his art at the 14th and 15th Traditional Karate Tournaments International.^[12][13]

Kanazawa has written several books on karate, which include: Kankudai (1969),^[14] Moving Zen: One man's journey to the heart of Karate (2001, co-authored),^[15] Karate: My life (2003),^[16] Karate fighting techniques: The complete kumite (2004, co-authored),^[17] and Black Belt Karate (2006).^[18] He has featured in Paul Walker's book, Lessons with the Master: 279 Karate lessons with Master Hirokazu Kanazawa.^[19]

The International Martial Arts Federation promoted Kanazawa to 8th dan in 1978, 9th dan in 1988, and 10th dan in 2002.^[8] Within the SKIF, he holds the rank of 8th dan, attained in 1998.^[8]

See also[link]

• List of Shotokan organizations
• Malcolm Phipps

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation

v t e Karateka Rafael Aghayev · Seishō Arakaki · Steve Arneil · Hideyuki Ashihara · Steven Bellamy · Billy Blanks · Jon Bluming · Tino Ceberano · Sonny Chiba · Chōshin Chibana · Howard Collins · Joe Corley · Keinosuke Enoeda · Shigeru Egami · Glaube Feitosa · Francisco Filho · Seiko Fujita · Michael G. Foster · Gichin Funakoshi · Gigō Funakoshi · Alexander Gerunov · Shinpan Gusukuma · Mitsusuke Harada · Yuchoku Higa · Kanryō Higaonna · Morio Higaonna · Shane Higashi · Loek Hollander · Andy Hug · Seikichi Iha · Motokatsu Inoue · Ankō Itosu · Manzo Iwata · John Jarvis · Nobuaki Kakuda · Hirokazu Kanazawa · Hajime Kazumi · Katsunori Kikuno · Chogi Kishaba · Chokei Kishaba · Chōtoku Kyan · Lechi Kurbanov · Kenwa Mabuni · Lyoto Machida · Akira Masuda · Shokei Matsui · Sōkon Matsumura · Miyuki Miura · Chōki Motobu · Chōyū Motobu · Chōjun Miyagi · Shōshin Nagamine · Andrews Nakahara · Seigi Nakamura · Tadashi Nakamura · Masatoshi Nakayama · Jōkō Ninomiya · Chuck Norris · Hironori Ōtsuka · Masutatsu Ōyama · Henry Plée · Katsuaki Satō · Semmy Schilt · Katsuhiko Shinzato · Yoshiji Soeno · Hohan Sōken · Georges St-Pierre · Taiji Kase · Ewerton Teixeira · Kenji Tokitsu · Robert Trias · Masami Tsuruoka · Sannosuke Ueshima · Luca Valdesi · Bill Wallace · Cheryl Wheeler-Dixon · Gōgen Yamaguchi · Terutomo Yamazaki