Welcome to the world of Wado Ryu, a Japanese martial art that has stood the test of time. With its focus on fluid movements, efficient techniques, and strategic positioning, Wado Ryu has captured the hearts and minds of martial arts enthusiasts worldwide. At the heart of this martial art lies the Kata, a series of movements that simulate combat scenarios and help practitioners perfect their techniques. In this article, we will explore the 15 Wado Ryu Kata, including the 5 Pinan Kata and 10 higher-level forms. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the Kata and their significance in Wado Ryu.
The Wado Ryu Kata – An Overview:
Before we dive into the specific Kata, let’s first get an overview of what they are and why they matter. The Kata are a series of predetermined movements that simulate combat scenarios. Each Kata has a specific set of techniques and movements, which are performed in a predetermined order. The Kata are designed to help practitioners perfect their techniques, improve their posture and balance, and enhance their focus and concentration. The Kata are a vital part of Wado Ryu training and are used to assess a practitioner’s progress in the martial art.
I’ll tell you about every Wado Kata and give you a link to a video of me performing them. I apologise in advance, as I am neither an expert in Kata, nor a Kata competitor, I’m just good enough to teach you the basics!
The 5 Pinan Kata:
The Pinan Kata are the foundation of Wado Ryu training. These were developed by Anko Itosu for the specific purpose of teaching Karate in schools and in the military, so unlike the “higher” forms, these Pinan Kata are a lot more structured and follow a more educational path. They are the first Kata that practitioners learn and provide a solid grounding in the basic techniques and movements of the martial art. The 5 Pinan Kata are Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yondan, and Pinan Godan. Each Kata builds upon the previous one, introducing new techniques and movements.
Pinan Shodan:
Pinan Shodan is the first of the Pinan Kata and is also the most basic. It consists of 25 movements and introduces practitioners to basic techniques such as punches, blocks, and kicks. It is often taught second because its heavy reliance on the large cat stance, which can be perceived as more difficult for beginners.
Pinan Nidan:
Pinan Nidan is the second Pinan Kata and consists of 21 movements. It builds upon the techniques and movements learned in Pinan Shodan, introducing new techniques such as elbow strikes and grappling techniques. This Kata is often taught first, because the solo forms are easier to perform than those of Pinan Shodan, however, the applications are a little more advanced.
Pinan Sandan:
Pinan Sandan is the third Pinan Kata and consists of 21 movements. In solo performance it is the shortest of the Pinan Kata and one of the shortest forms in Wado Ryu. There’s plenty of grappling and throwing in there and there are many stances that are practiced in this Kata.
Pinan Yondan:
Pinan Yondan is the fourth Pinan Kata and consists of 28 movements. This Kata really relies on many double handed (“Morote”) techniques and is a big leap in difficulty from the previous three. With many openhanded techniques, like Shuto, Haishu, Koken, Taisho, etc. this is a Kata that shows how rich Karate can get. A personal favourite!
Pinan Godan:
Pinan Godan is the final Pinan Kata and consists of 21 movements. It is definitely the most advanced of the Pinan Kata, but I would argue the leap between four and five is not as big as the one between three and four. This is the first time a Wado Ryu student would perform a jumping technique in Kata, but do not be fooled: succeeding in the jump, does not automatically make your Kata good!
The 10 Higher-Level Kata:
Once a practitioner has mastered the Pinan Kata, they move on to the so called higher-level forms. These Kata are more complex and require a higher level of skill and proficiency. The 10 higher-level Kata are Bassai, Kusanku, Naihanchi, Seishan, Chinto, Wanshu, Rohai, Jion, Jitte, and Niseishi. I’ll explain them next and I’ll try to do it in a humoristic way, so you can remember them easier!
Bassai:
Bassai, or Passai if you’re feeling fancy, is a tomari-te kata that is older than your grandpappy’s dusty old records. It’s a bit mysterious, like that one cousin nobody talks about, and its origin is unknown. But one thing is for sure, it’s all about storming a castle. And who doesn’t love a good castle storming?
It is a popular tournament Kata and consists of 40 movements .This kata features dynamic stances and hip rotation. Funakoshi, decided to rename the kata as Bassai Dai, which roughly translates to “Big Bad Bassai.” Okay, maybe not really, but it does sound pretty cool, doesn’t it?
Kushanku:
So, the name Kushanku refers to a Chinese diplomat from Fukien who supposedly took a “vacay” to Okinawa and taught some fighting moves. Talk about a productive trip! It didn’t go down exactly like that, but history isn’t quite clear, so my explanation is as good as yours (unless you are Andreas Quast or Patrick McCarthy) Funakoshi Gichin, decided to give this kata a new name: Kanku-Dai.
Kushanku is a big deal in Wado Ryu. It’s all about flow! Think of it like dancing, but with more kicking and punching. And if you’re into Kung Fu, you’ll dig this one because it’s got some moves that are similar to White Crane style. Plus, there are lots of open-handed techniques!
Now, let’s talk about bunkai. It’s like the secret code to unlock the hidden meanings behind the moves. One possible bunkai for Kushanku is escaping a bear-hug from behind. Because let’s face it, nobody likes being hugged by a bear from behind. The key is to twist and drop out of their grasp like a slippery noodle. And while you’re at it, you can block their head and deliver a nice, juicy strike to the groin, knee, or foot. Ouch!
Kusanku consists of 56 movements and is typically taught to intermediate and advanced students in Wado Ryu. It is a long Kata with both basic and advanced techniques and takes a long time to master.
Naihanchi:
Naihanchi is also known as Naifanchi. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a tasty Japanese dish to me. “I’ll have the Naifanchi with a side of wasabi, please!” But alas, it’s not a dish, it’s a kata. And not just any kata, it is actually a really popular Kata in the “applied Kata”-world!
Naihanchi is a lateral kata, which means it’s all about moving side to side. Think of it like a crab walk, but way cooler – incidentally, if you know about Kani Uchi’s history, this makes Naihanchi very important! And it was learned from Chōki Motobu, who was a bit of a karate badass back in the day. So, you know it’s gonna be good.
Here’s the thing though: Wado Ryu only practices the first Naihanchi kata. But hey, if it’s good enough for Wado Ryu, it’s good enough for me – I don’t really like the other two anyway.
Naihanchi consists of 27 movements. One of the distinctive features of Naihanchi is its emphasis on close-range combat. This kata teaches students to engage their opponents at close quarters, using techniques that are specifically designed for tight spaces and confined environments. The techniques in Naihanchi also emphasize the use of circular motion and body shifting to generate power and momentum.
Naihanchi is typically taught to intermediate and advanced students in Wado Ryu. It has only one stance (“Naihanchi Dachi”), which teaches a student to root himself to the ground, for a powerful basis.
Seishan:
First off, let’s talk about the name. Seishan means “13 hands.” That’s a lot of hands! I don’t know about you, but I only have two. So, I’m pretty sure this kata is not meant for mere mortals like us.
This kata was named after a Chinese martial artist who was pretty well-known back in the day. Apparently, he lived in or near Shuri around the 1700s. That’s like ancient history, folks! The movements in Seishan are repeated in sets of three, which is kind of like the karate version of “three’s a charm.” Plus, there are pivots and turning of the head, so you’ll feel like a bobblehead on steroids.
Funakoshi, being the master of renaming katas, decided to call this one Hangetsu. I guess he was tired of saying “Seishan” all the time. Hangetsu sounds way cooler, though, don:t you think?
Seishan is thought to be one of the oldest katas, and it’s not just for Wado Ryu, oh no. Other schools like Isshin-ryū, Tang Soo Do, and Soo Bahk Do have adopted it too. And due to its difficulty, it’s often reserved for advanced students. So, if you’re a beginner, maybe stick to something a little less hand-intensive.
Seishan consists of 32 movements. This Kata is special in the Wado Ryu curriculum because of its clear duality: the first half is performed slow, deliberate and with focus on deep breathing to enhance Kime, whereas the second half is performed fast, powerful and athletic.
Seishan was a shitei kata in the past, meaning that it was one of the kata designated for competition and demonstration purposes in the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) and other organizations.
In the JKF, Seishan was designated as one of the shitei kata for the All Japan Karate Championships from 1977 to 2005. During this time, Seishan was one of the most widely performed and recognized kata in the karate world, and it was highly regarded for its dynamic and challenging techniques.
However, in recent years, the JKF has revised its shitei kata requirements, and Seishan is no longer included in the list of designated kata. Despite this, Seishan remains an important and highly regarded kata in Wado Ryu and in other styles of karate, and it continues to be practiced and taught by many karate practitioners around the world.
Chinto:
Legend has it that Chintō/Gankaku is named after a Chinese sailor who crashed his ship on the Okinawan coast. To survive, he stole crops from the locals. Bad move, buddy! Matsumura Sōkon, the chief bodyguard to the Okinawan king, was sent to take down Chintō, but he found himself equally matched by the crop-stealing sailor. It was like Mortal Kombat meets Castaway! So, what did he do? He decided to learn from him, of course! I mean, why not learn from your enemy, right?
Chintō was well-known in the early days of Tomari-te and Shuri-te schools of Karate. Matsumura Sōkon was an early practitioner of the Shuri-te style. When Gichin Funakoshi brought Karate to Japan, he renamed Chintō to Gankaku, possibly to avoid anti-Chinese sentiment of the time. And he also decided to change the embusen, which is just a fancy word for the pattern of movement. He made it more linear, so it’s like a game of Karate Twister, especially with the movements standing on one foot!
This kata is no joke, my friend. It’s dynamic, diverse, and employs all sorts of stances. You’ll even get to do the rare one-footed pivot, which is like walking on a tightrope but without the safety net. And you’ll get to try out the uncommon crane stance. Just don’t blame me if you fall over like a wobbly flamingo.
Bunkai generally describes Chintō/Gankaku as being useful on uneven terrain. So, if you find yourself on a hilly field and need to defend yourself from crop-stealing sailors, this kata will come in handy. And it’s even said that you should perform it facing eastwards. I guess the sun rises in the east, and Chintō/Gankaku rises with it.
Chinto consists of 40 movements. It is a unique Kata that blends Chinese and Okinawan martial arts techniques.
For years, Chinto was a Shitei Kata, just like Seishan.
Wanshu:
Wanshu… let’s talk about the name. Wanshu means “flying swallow.” That’s like the coolest bird ever! (outside of maybe the heron, but we’ll get to that) They’re so small and graceful, but they can fly for miles. And this kata is said to be based on movements brought to Okinawa by a Chinese envoy of the same name in 1683. Talk about a long flight!
The name “Flying Swallows” comes from the soft blocking sequences near the end of the kata. It’s like you’re gracefully swatting away any incoming attacks like a flying swallow. How poetic!
Funakoshi, in his kata-renaming frenzy, decided to call this one Empi.
Wanshu/Empi is a Tomari-te kata, and if you’re into graceful movements, you’ll dig this one. Plus, who doesn’t want to feel like a flying swallow on the mat?
Wanshu consists of 36 movements. It is a fast-paced Kata that requires a high level of speed and agility. It is also the second of two Kata in Wado Ryu that feature a jumping sequence, fitting for a kata named after a bird!
Rohai:
Rohai is like the Karate equivalent of a choose-your-own-adventure book. There are three variations, all developed by Itosu, you know, the guy from the Pinan Series.
The name Rohai translates “vision of a heron.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had a vision of a heron. But hey, maybe after practicing this kata, I’ll start having some bird-related dreams.
Anyway, the heron refers to the bird, indigenous to Okinawa, that looks most like a crane.
Rohai originated from the Tomari-te school of Okinawan martial arts. It was called Matsumora Rohai, after Kosaku Matsumora, who was presumably its inventor. Ankō Itosu later took this kata and developed three kata from it.
In Shorin/Matsubayashi-ryū, this kata contains a sequence of Tomoe Zuki, which is like a circular punch, but way cooler of course!
In modern Karate, some styles, like Shito Ryu, teach all three kata, but others only employ one of them as a kata. Wado-ryū, for example, only teaches Rohai Shodan as Rohai. But Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan, redeveloped and renamed Rohai as Meikyo, which means “bright mirror”. And it contains elements of all three different Rohai kata.
Rohai is the seventh of the higher-level Kata and consists of 17 movements. It is a dynamic Kata that includes techniques that are seen in Bassai, Wanshu and even Pinan Nidan! Flashback!
Jion:
Jion is like the Karate version of “Temple Run,” except instead of running, you’re doing cool Karate moves. The name translates to “Temple” or “Temple of love and goodness.” I don’t know about you, but when I think of temples, I think of peaceful meditation and monks in orange robes. But in Karate, it’s all about kicking butt and taking names.
Jion is a Tomari-te kata, which means it’s like the OG Karate. And it’s taught in Wado Ryu because it’s all about the basic stances. You know, like zenkutsu dachi, which is like a front stance, and kiba dachi, which is like a horse stance.
In conclusion, if you want to perfect your basic stances and feel like you’re running through a temple of love and goodness, give Jion a try.
Jion consists of 47 movements. It is a powerful Kata that includes that reintroduces advanced students to the basics.
Jitte:
The history of Jitte is like trying to solve a mystery. It’s very clouded, but most agree that the kata developed in Tomari, but probably originated in China.
Jitte has some serious staff defense moves. And these unusual moves are mixed with the more traditional shotokan karate moves, like upper rising block, palm heal strike, and double block. Sort of like Karate fusion cuisine.
Jitte is very smooth and flowing, like a river of Karate moves. And it’s got a great pace, with slow moves that suddenly explode into fast ones. Like being on a rollercoaster, but without the nausea.
And if you’re into cool moves, Jitte has got you covered. It’s got two ridge hand attacks, which is an actual karate chop. Plus, there’s a double arm block combination in a horse riding stance, which makes you at least look like a really strong guy.
Jitte consists of 24 movements. It is a challenging Kata that may look short, but it requires a high level of focus and concentration.
Niseishi:
The name “Niseishi” means “24 steps,” which is like the Karate version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” But instead of getting a bunch of birds and maids-a-milking, you’re getting some serious Karate moves. (these jokes are killing me, please tell me to stop)
Niseishi was transmitted by Ankichi Aragaki. He delivered this awesome kata to all the good little Karate boys and girls. And this kata teaches you to move and defend from many angles, like ninja. Plus, it helps teach you coordination, like ballerina… okay, maybe not a ballerina.
But don’t be fooled, Niseishi is not for the faint of heart. Many use this kata as a tool to highlight the need for total concentration. For example, if you take a student and force him to perform Pinan Nidan in an angle that is different from the regular, they find it quite simple to finish the kata correctly in the accurate position. But Niseishi doesn’t use such basic and predictable angles. Oh no. To perform this kata accurately in a position that is irregular takes much concentration.
Unlike its name suggests, Niseishi consists of 32 moves, so never judge a book by its cover guys!
Conclusion:
The Wado Ryu Kata are a vital part of the martial art and are essential for practitioners looking to improve their techniques and skills. The 15 Kata, including the 5 Pinan Kata and 10 “higher-level” forms, are challenging and require a high level of focus, coordination, and proficiency. By mastering these Kata, practitioners can improve their balance, stability, power, and technique. So, which of these Kata can you already perform? Keep practicing and unleash the full potential of the Wado Ryu Kata.
FAQs:
Do I have to learn all 15 Wado Ryu Kata?
No, you don’t have to learn all 15 Kata. However, mastering the Kata is essential for improving your techniques and skills in Wado Ryu.
Which is the easiest Wado Ryu Kata?
The easiest Wado Ryu Kata is Pinan Shodan, as it is the foundation of Wado Ryu training and introduces practitioners to basic techniques and movements.
How long does it take to master the Wado Ryu Kata?
It depends on the individual and their level of dedication and practice. Some practitioners may take years to master the Kata, while others may do it in a shorter period.
Can I learn Wado Ryu Kata online?
Yes, there are many online resources and tutorials available for learning the Wado Ryu Kata. However, it is recommended to learn from a certified instructor to ensure proper technique and form.
What are the benefits of mastering the Wado Ryu Kata?
Mastering the Wado Ryu Kata can improve your techniques, balance, stability, power, and coordination. It can also enhance your focus and concentration and help you become a better martial artist.
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