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Nijushiho

Nijushiho
Nijushiho, or "24 Steps," is named after the number of foot movements, or "steps," present in the kata. Originally called Niseishi (twenty-four) in Okinawan, it is one of three Shotokan kata that descended from Seisho Aragaki, the others being Sochin and Unsu. The Aragaki kata are arguably the most popular of the advanced Shotokan kata, possessing unusual and mystical techniques,…
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Chinte

Chinte
As with most kata, there is quite a diverse opinion concerning Chinte's origin. Some say that this kata is very old, originating from China while others contend that Chinte stems from an Okinawan folk dance. Regardless of the kata's origins, many credit Yasutsune Itosu with the unveiling of this kata for modern practice. Chinte, meaning "Unusual Hands" or "Incredible Hands,"…
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Bassai-Sho

Bassai-Sho
Another one of Yasutsune Itosu's "second editions," Bassai Sho is the smaller version of "Penetrating a Fortress," having fewer movements and a slightly smaller frame than its predecessor, Bassai Dai. Since there exist many different versions of Bassai kata, it is uncertain which one Itosu used as a model for Bassai Sho. It is entirely possible that Bassai Sho is simply one of the…
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Kanku-Sho

Kanku-Sho
Kanku Sho is a smaller and more advanced version of Kanku Dai. In Shotokan, there exist three kata that have two versions: Kanku, Bassai, and Gojushiho. Each has a Sho (small) version and a Dai (big) version, the Dai form usually being the one with the larger frame and greater number of movements.  Yasutsune Itosu is believed to have been responsible for these second editions. He used Kanku as…
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Hangetsu

Hangetsu
It is said that Sokon Matsumura learned this kata during one of his journeys to China. Like many Shotokan kata, Hangetsu can be found in other styles of karate as well, and with several variations. The JKA version has 41 counts. Other styles of karate tend to use the kata's original name of Seisan(or Seishan), which means "13". Some…
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Gankaku 

Gankaku 
Legend has it that Gankaku was created by Sokon Matsumura, who was inspired by the teachings of a shipwrecked Chinese sailor skilled in the art of kung fu. Formerly known as Chinto(Battle East), Gankaku is one of the most graceful Shotokan kata. The kata is usually translated as "Crane on a Rock," referring to the crane stance (tsuru-dachi), when one must…
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Jitte

Jitte
Jitte (or Jutte) means "Ten Hands." Mastery of the kata is supposed to imply that the karateka is able to perform the actions of ten men, further inferring that one has the ability to fight off ten armed opponents. Even within the Shotokan style, this kata has many variations. The JKA version consists of 24 moves. Jitte is a…
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