The Shotokan Katas

A basic explanation of what kata is can be often found as "a pre-arranged set of defensive moves and attacks against an imaginary single or multiple opponents". There are 26 standardized Shotokan Katas. These are Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yodan, Heian Godan, Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Kanku Dai, Kanku Sho, Bassai Dai, Bassai Sho, Gojushiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho, Nijushiho, Hangetsu, Empi, Gankaku, Sochin, Chinte, Jion, Jiin, Jitte, Meikyo, Wankan and Unsu. There are also the basic katas Taikyoku Shodan, Taikyoku Nidan and Taikyoku Sandan.

Meanings: Heian: Peaceful Way, Tekki: Iron Horse, Kanku: Viewing the sky (dai = major, sho = minor), Bassai: To penetrate a fortress, Gojushiho: 54 steps, Nijushiho: 24 steps, Hangetsu: Half Moon, Empi: Flying swallow, Gankaku: Crane on a rock, Sochin: Preserve Peace, Chinte: Incredible hands, Jion: Named after the temple, Jiin: Named after the saint, Jitte: Ten hands, Meikyo: Mirror of the soul, Wankan: Crown of a king, Unsu: Hands of a cloud, sho = 1, ni = 2, san = 3, yon = 4, go = 4

From http://www.unh.edu/shotokan/kata.html

Videos of most of these katas can be found at http://www.natkd.com/shotokan_katas.htm

A general pattern followed in the katas is illustrated below:

From http://www.geocities.com/seishin_do_ryu/kihonkata.html

The stands and techniques of the katas are illustrated below:

Heian Shodan

Heian Nidan

Heian Sandan

Heian Yondan

Heian Godan

Tekki Shodan

Tekki Nidan

Tekki Sandan

Kanku Dai

Kanku Sho

Bassai Dai

Bassai Sho

Gojushiho Dai

Gojushiho Sho

Nijushiho

Hangetsu

Empi

Gangaku

Sochin

Chinte

Jion

Jiin

Jitte

Meikyo

Wankan

Unsu

From http://www.karate.org.yu/articles/shotokan_kata.htm