Shito-Ryu is one of the main styles of karate, founded by Kenwa Mabuni in 1931. Shito-Ryu combines elements of several ancient styles and includes a large number of katas. In fact, there are over 60 katas in Shito-Ryu, but we often refer to the 53 main katas of this style. Here is a list of some of the most common Shito-Ryu katas:
- Pinan Shodan (平安初段): This is often the first kata taught in Shito-Ryu, focusing on the basics of karate.
- Pinan Nidan (平安二段): Second kata in the Pinan series, with an increase in complexity.
- Pinan Sandan (平安三段): The third kata in the Pinan series continues to develop basic skills.
- Pinan Yondan (平安四段): The fourth kata in the series, with a more complex combination of movements.
- Pinan Godan (平安五段): The fifth and final kata in the Pinan series, with an even higher level of difficulty.
- Naihanchi (内畔蹴): This kata emphasizes close-combat techniques and lateral movement.
- Bassai Dai (抜砦大): Advanced kata emphasizing powerful movements and techniques to penetrate the opponent’s defenses.
- Bassai Sho (抜砦小): A variant of Bassai Dai, using some of the same techniques, but with more subtlety.
- Kushanku (公相君): An advanced kata featuring a variety of striking, blocking and sweeping techniques.
- Seienchin (制引戦): This kata emphasizes breath control and the balance between tension and relaxation.
- Aoyagi (青柳): Designed for older practitioners, this kata emphasizes breathing and slow, deliberate movement, with minimal focus on punches or kicks.
- Ananku (安南区): A fairly simple but effective kata, it is often taught to beginners. It includes basic techniques such as punching, kicking and blocking.
- Chatan Yara Kushanku (北谷屋良公相君): A long, advanced kata, focusing on a variety of fighting techniques.
- Chinto (鎮東): This kata contains many movements that involve moving in a single line, with an emphasis on balance and control.
- Chinte (珍手): This unique kata includes several open-hand techniques, as well as a variety of sweeping and striking movements.
- Enpi (燕飛): Enpi, also known as “flight of the swallow”, this kata is characterized by fast, agile movements, imitating the flight of a swallow.
- Gojushiho (五十四步): This advanced kata is known for its complex series of movements and techniques, including open-hand strikes and blocks.
- Gekisai Sho (撃砕小): This is a basic kata that includes a variety of punching, kicking and blocking techniques.
- Gekisai Dai (撃砕大): This is a more advanced version of Gekisai Sho, with additional movements and greater complexity.
- Hangetsu (半月): This kata is known for its particular rhythm and breath control. “Hangetsu” means “half-moon”, a reference to the semi-circular movements present in the kata.
- Hakucho (白鳥): This kata is characterized by slow, controlled movements, with an emphasis on breathing and relaxation.
- Heiku (平空): An advanced kata that includes a variety of blocking and striking techniques, as well as a jumping movement.
- Jion (慈恩): This kata is characterized by open-hand techniques and powerful movements, with particular emphasis on solid, stable positions.
- Jiin (慈陰): A kata that focuses on circular movements and sweeping techniques, Jiin can be translated as “temple of love”.
- Jitte (十手): The Jitte kata is known for its many blocking techniques, making it a useful kata for defense against multiple attacks.
- Juroku (十六): Juroku is a short but complex kata, featuring numerous changes of direction and a variety of striking and blocking techniques.
- Kosukun Sho (公相君小): This is an advanced kata featuring a series of powerful movements, including strikes and blocks.
- Kosukun Dai (公相君大): Another advanced kata, Kosukun Dai includes a series of open-hand techniques, circular movements and blocking techniques.
- Kururunfa (久留頓破): Kururunfa is known for its jerky movements, with alternating fast and slow movements. Kata emphasizes mastery of rhythm and tempo.
- Kwanku Sho (観空小): This kata is characterized by numerous aerial movements and a variety of striking and blocking techniques.
- Kwanku Dai (観空大): An advanced kata known for its powerful movements and series of blocking and striking techniques.
- Matsumura Bassai (松村抜砦): This is an older version of Bassai kata, emphasizing powerful movements and techniques to penetrate the opponent’s defenses.
- Matsumura Seisan (松村十三): Another ancient form of a popular kata, this kata focuses on powerful striking techniques and stable movements.
- Matsukaze (松風): Also known as “Wind Through the Pines”, this kata includes a variety of striking and blocking techniques, as well as “I”-shaped movements.
- Myojo (明星): This kata is characterized by circular, fluid movements, with an emphasis on striking techniques.
- Naifanchi Sho (ナイファンチ初): The first kata in the Naifanchi series, this kata emphasizes close-combat techniques and lateral movement.
- Naifanchi Ni (ナイファンチ二): The second kata in the Naifanchi series, it continues to develop the skills acquired in the first kata with additional techniques.
- Naifanchi San (ナイファンチ三): The third and final kata in the Naifanchi series, this kata features more complex striking and blocking techniques.
- Nipaipo (二百歩): An advanced kata featuring many fast, explosive movements and a variety of striking techniques.
- Niseishi (二十四歩): Also known as Nijushiho, this kata consists of 24 movements, with striking and blocking techniques.
- Pachu (八虎): Kata featuring a combination of striking and blocking techniques.
- Papuren (八步連): A complex kata involving a series of fast movements, strikes and blocks.
- Rohai Sho (鷺牌初): The first kata in the Rohai series, it emphasizes open-hand techniques and fluid movements.
- Rohai Ni (鷺牌二): The second kata in the Rohai series, it introduces additional movements and more complex techniques.
- Rohai San (鷺牌三): The third and final kata in the Rohai series is the most advanced in the series, with a variety of striking and blocking techniques.
- Saifa (砕破): This kata emphasizes fluid movements and transitions, with a variety of striking and blocking techniques.
- Seienchin (制引戦): Seienchin translates as “quiet battle” or “self-conquest”. It includes a variety of striking and blocking techniques, with an emphasis on self-control and breath control.
- Seipai (十八手): This kata is known for its combination of fast and slow movements, with an emphasis on breath control and rhythm.
- Seisan (十三手): Seisan emphasizes powerful striking techniques and stable movements. It includes a variety of blocking and striking techniques.
- Shiho Kosukun (四方公相君): This advanced kata is known for its series of powerful movements, including strikes and blocks.
- Shiho Kushanku (四方公相君): A version of Kushanku with attacks and defenses in four directions.
- Shisochin (四向戦): Shisochin is known for its jerky movements, with alternating fast and slow movements. Kata emphasizes mastery of rhythm and tempo.
- Sochin (壮鎮): Sochin is a kata that emphasizes close-combat techniques and lateral movement.
- Suparimpei (壱百零八手): This is the most advanced kata in the Goju-Ryu style. It includes a series of striking, blocking and seizing techniques.
- Tomari Bassai (泊抜砦): A version of Bassai that focuses on close-combat techniques.
- Tensho (転掌): Tensho translates as “rotating hand”. It emphasizes open-hand techniques and circular movements.
- Unshu (雲手): This kata is characterized by “M”-shaped movements and emphasizes open-hand techniques and fluid movements.
- Useishi (五十四歩): Also known as Gojushiho, this kata comprises 54 movements, hence its name meaning “54 steps”.
- Wankan (王冠): Wankan, also known as “King’s Crown”, this kata is characterized by fast, agile movements.
- Wanshu (汪襲): Wanshu is characterized by explosive movements and powerful striking techniques.
It should be noted that this list is far from exhaustive, as Shito-Ryu is known for its wide range of katas. What’s more, correct kata practice requires the supervision and instruction of a qualified instructor. These descriptions are provided for information purposes only and are not intended to replace vocational training.