KATA

: ''For other uses, see Kata (disambiguation).''

Kata
Japanese Name
Kanji	型 or 形
Hiragana	かた
Kobudo kata with staff

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 ''aikidō'', ''iaidō'', ''jōdō'', ''jūdō'', ''jūjutsu'', ''kendō'' and ''karatedō''. 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.

Contents

Explanation

Kata in Karate

Kata in Judo

"Kata" in the martial arts of other countries

External links

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.
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).

Kata in Karate

Main articles: Karate kata


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.
One explanation of the use of kata can be looked at 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 then the practical application of this set of learned skills can be used in the sparring scenario, particularly without points the main objective is to disable your opponent, to then find different combinations of uses of certain selected techniques. This is where the term artist comes into play by the person that is attacking or defending has to adapt to the situation to find a solution.

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.

"Kata" in the martial arts of other countries

In such as taekwondo and ''tangsudo'' ("''tang soo do''"), the Korean word ''hyung'' is usually employed, though in some cases other words are used. The International Taekwondo Federation uses the Korean word ''tul'', while the World Taekwondo Federation uses the word ''poomsae'' or simply the English translations "pattern" or "form."
In , 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 Malaysian martial arts, mainly Silat, forms with the upper body are knows as ''djurus'', forms with the lower body are known as ''langkah'', and forms with the whole body are known as ''dasar pasang''.

External links

★ Judo Kata videos.

★ Karate, Okinawan Kobudo and Kendo Kata videos.