This article is not meant to be a definition of each and every kata in Goju -Ryu, or indeed, a definition of Kata.It is merely to guide, as stated above.

Katas are an integral part of Goju-Ryu Karate and many other martial arts, where they are sometimes called forms or patterns. The karateka follows a particular sequence of movements that include defence and attack against one or several imaginary attackers. Practicing Kata is a good way of exercising the pure form of techniques i.e.blocks,punches,kicks, strikes etc. and katas are excellent aerobic excercises if executed with meaning.
Many Katas contain techniques that are not obvious to the unknowing bystander, as said before on this site it looks like someone "just waving their arms and legs about". However, Katas are a means of maintaining the true form of an original style and tradition, from master to student, who may in the future, teach his own students. The Kata helps develop proper execution of technique with mental focus and, most importantly, it teaches the Bunkai, which means, "to take apart", (presumably this doesn't mean the karateka.) these are the combat techniques hidden within the Kata. Without the Bunkai, Kata is simply a ritualistic exercise that is empty and void of true purpose.

Perhaps this may help in your understanding. When a top-class footballer sees the ball coming towards him he doesn't think "What shall I do with this ball?" heknows instinctivly what should be done, his training and experience help him. Similarly, a tennis player with a ball coming at him at 90 m.p.h hasn't time to think "I have to hit this ball at a certain angle" he already knows, once again training and experience come together. Many other examples could be given but it all boils down to repetition, over and over to be the best that they can. You can call this what you like practice,coaching ,forms,patterns,shadow-boxing (yes even boxing and kick-boxing) rehearsal or kata the name doesn't matter. What does matter is the feeling and/or passion in what you're doing and you know the reason you're doing it.. So, the same with Kata/bunkai, doing it over and over, so you don't need to think, if the need arises, to defend yourself, you instinctively do something.
In Traditional karate the Kata actually means something. Sadly, some competition orientated styles have intentionally modified katas for competition use, so katas have lost all their original meaning and concept. This has caused them to degenerate into what looks good or is athletic and spectacular for competitions and "show", resulting in nonsensical and impractical "techniques" that would be totally useless or at best, could only be used by someone young and very flexible.

Katas are the blueprints for certain styles, but it is natural, and often cannot be avoided,that individual masters or schools change Katas, or the order of the Kata, or other aspects of the Kata to better fit with their understanding of "their" style. Apart from documentation in books, which then is also open to interpretation by the reader, knowledge of Katas is traditionally transferred person-to-person and are bound to change slightly over the generations. This is another reason why exponents of particular styles tend to stress their "direct lineage", which implies that they have learned it from the grand master or even founder of a style, thus their interpretation of Kata and other aspects of their style is undiluted and preserves all aspects of that style, including Kata, in the way it was meant to be. Okinawan kata/karate is believed to be least "diluted" for the following reason......

Okinawa is many hundreds of miles from mainland Japan and its people were thought by the Japanese and its goverment, to be second class, and were treated as such (we are speaking of a time before and during W.W.2) therefore there was no interference from Japan in its ( karate's) developement, although it's true Goju-Ryu was certainly known on the mainland. After the war ended in 1945 Okinawa was completely taken over by the American armed forces for 28 years. Once again, Japan had little or no influence in Okinawa Province until 1972 when it was handed back to Japanese administration. By this time karate roots were deeper than ever, there would need to be a cataclysmic upheaval to significantly alter Okinawan karate.

The exact origins of the kata of Goju-Ryu will always be left somewhat to conjecture and speculation. It is widely accepted that 9 of the 12 kata in Goju-Ryu are Chinese in origin. There is argument whether all 9 of these kata were brought back from China by Higaonna Sensei.This is one theory on the origin of the 9 Chinese Kata in Goju -Ryu. Kanryo Higaonna studied under Ryu Ryuko for anywhere from 13-15yrs. He brought back with him 4 kata, Sanchin, Sanseru, Sesan, and Suparinpei. These katas are most likely from a system of White Crane KungFu.(Hence the crane on the Home Page) Higaonna Sensei taught these 4 kata to Chojun Miyagi, The other 5 kata were most likely learned by Miyagi Sensei in his visits and training he undertook in China after the passing of Higaonna. These kata include Saifa which may be from a Lion system, Shisochin which may be from one of the Mantis systems, Kururunfa and Sepai which may be from the Dragon, and Seiyunchin, perhaps, from one of the Hawk systems of Kungfu. ( Why the tiger on the Home Page? See THE CHINESE ROOTS.Goju-Ryu Karate.do History. This site). It is no secret that Okinawan karate has roots in Kung-Fu. Kung Fu and Buddhism have always been intertwined with one another. This explains why some Kata have numerical meanings. Suparinpei for example (the number 108 in Chinese) has a special significance in Buddhism. It is believed that man has 108 evil passions, so in Buddhist temples on December 31st, at the stroke of midnight, a bell is rung 108 times to drive away those spirits. The number 108 in Suparinpei is calculated from 36 X 3. The 3 symbolizes past, present, and future. The 36 in Suparinpei, which is the same for Sanseru, is calculated from 6 X 6. The first 6 represents; eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and spirit. The second 6 stands for; color, voice, taste, smell, touch, and justice. Sepai, which is 18, is calculated from 6 X 3. The 6 is the second 6 of Sanseru. The 3 represents good, bad, and peaceThe other Kata also have their own significance.

Sanchin kata is the heart and soul of Goju-Ryu and symbolizes 3 battles. These battles are of the Spirit, Mind, and Body. It is said through practicing Sanchin all 3 of these elements combine and are one. Sanchin has been modified from its original form. Higaonna Sensei closed the open hands of the morote chudan uke and closed the hands on the nukite strikes. Miyagi Sensei took the turn out of the kata and added backward movement, he believed if you don't use something it atrophies, so he added backward movement to Sanchin. Higaonna or Miyagi also changed the breathing of Sanchin Kata so that it was slower, and also took out quick movements.The meaning behind the other Kata can be realized by learning and practicing them. Seiyunchin for example, has grabbing and pulling techniques contained in it. Miyagi Sensei, during the early 1940's, developed 3 Kata, Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, and Tensho. There are two explanations for the purpose of developing the Gekisai Kata. One is that Sensei Miyagi developed them for students in schools and to help an average person learn Karate more easily. Another explanation, which is less known, is that the Gekisai Kata were developed for the Japanese Imperial army for use in combat. (Read Sensei Morio Higaonnas book The History of Karate and find out about Sensei Miyagi's time in the Japanese Army).Tensho made complete the system where Sanchin left off, and integrates intricate concepts of the techniques of Goju-Ryu. Tensho is a higher level breathing Kata.

Goju-Ryu is a widely practiced and popular style of Karate. It is very versatile and effective, employing a variety of techniques that are contained in the Kata such as, wrist locks, joint locks, throws, take downs, footsweeps, grappling, striking of all sorts, blocking, kicking, and anything else there is under the sun.
Do not limit yourself to what you are taught. Always remember the Bunkai is the free expression of the Kata. Use your mind, adapt the art and make it personal to yourself.

Teachings of Chojun Miyagi Sensei

Do not be struck by others. Do not strike others. The principle is peace without incident. - Chojun Miyagi Sensei

"You must, above all, learn the art of true and real patience. Follow the WAY of patience to the seventh power and never be in a hurry to learn. Always think first and avoid acting rashly. Never harm anyone or let yourself be harmed." - Chojun Miyagi Sensei

On Karate:-

A large space is not required.
It can be practiced alone.
Its practice does not require much time.
Men and women, young or old, can practice karate, it depends entirely upon one's constitution. Proper kata can be selected and practiced at one's discretion.
One can practice with empty hands or the use of simple equipment can also be employed without much expense.
Training in karate improves one's health. This fact is evident from the physical condition of aged enthusiasts.
Physical and mental unity develops an indomitable spirit.
- Chojun Miyagi Sensei
Okinawa Goju-Ryu Precepts.
1. It should be known that secret principles of Goju-Ryu exist in the kata.
2. Goju-Ryu Karate Do is a manifestation within one's own self of the harmonious accord of the universe.
3. The way of Goju-Ryu Karate Do is to seek the way of virtue.

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