Video Kata Origins & Karate History: A discussion of Kata and key issues.  (12 min, 15MB)

Kata origins and sample bunkai:  This is the free kata sample video (click the link in the top right grey bar to download) and provides a discussion of kata and key isssues around its practice. This free sample includes footage of Unshu (Unsu), Annanko, Bassai Dai and relates kata history across Shotokan, Shito-ryu and Goju-ryu. Kata motions represented are as taught by Master Sotokawa, 8th Dan in Japan (he was accredited with his sandan rank under a panel with mabuni sensei himself, the founder of Shito-ryu). Renbukan Shito-ryu is also discussed in brief. Some bunkai is included covering Annanko, Seipai, Pinan kata, Taikyoku kata and explanations of upper "X-block". 

Pinan Shodan & Heian Nidan       (16 mins)

Shotokan & Shito-ryu versions are presented. Kata video on the pattern plus selected bunkai. Kata is performed fast, and at a slow walk through pace. The kanji for the Pinan (Heian) kata represent "peace and tranquility". Pinan Shodan is the first kata in the series of 5 Pinan ( 2nd in the Shotokan, or Heian series) kata. These kata were created by Sensei Itosu in Okinawa. The passage of the kata to Japan occurred via Mabuni sensei (founder of Shito-ryu) who took them first to the Kansai region of Japan. The kata also emerged in Tokyo via Funakoshi sensei (who renamed them "Heian" - a Japanese pronounciation). From a number of researchers it appears that Funaksohi sensei learnt the kata from interactions with Mabuni sensei.  

Pinan Nidan & Heian Shodan   (8 mins)

Shotokan & Shito-ryu versions are presented. Kata video on the pattern plus selected bunkai. Kata is performed fast, and at a slow walk through pace. The kanji for the Pinan (Heian) kata represent "peace and tranquility".  These kata were created by Sensei Itosu in Okinawa. The passage of the kata to Japan occurred via Mabuni sensei (founder of Shito-ryu) who took them first to the Kansai region of Japan. The kata also emerged in Tokyo via Funakoshi sensei (who renamed them "Heian" - a Japanese pronounciation). From a number of researchers it appears that Funaksohi sensei learnt the kata from interactions with Mabuni sensei.

Pinan Sandan & Heian Sandan (approx. 11 min) - see sample video above...

Shotokan & Shito-ryu versions are presented. Kata video on the pattern plus selected bunkai. Kata is performed fast, and at a slow walk through pace. The kanji for the Pinan (Heian) kata represent "peace and tranquility".  These kata were created by Sensei Itosu in Okinawa. The passage of the kata to Japan occurred via Mabuni sensei (founder of Shito-ryu) who took them first to the Kansai region of Japan. The kata also emerged in Tokyo via Funakoshi sensei (who renamed them "Heian" - a Japanese pronounciation). From a number of recent karate history researchers it appears that Funaksohi sensei learnt the kata from interactions with Mabuni sensei.

Pinan Yondan and Heian Yondan  (8mins)

Shotokan & Shito-ryu versions are presented. Kata video on the pattern plus selected bunkai. Kata is performed fast, and at a slow walk through pace. The kanji for the Pinan (Heian) kata represent "peace and tranquility".  These kata were created by Sensei Itosu in Okinawa. The passage of the kata to Japan occurred via Mabuni sensei (founder of Shito-ryu) who took them first to the Kansai region of Japan. The kata also emerged in Tokyo via Funakoshi sensei (who renamed them "Heian" - a Japanese pronounciation). From a number of researchers it appears that Funaksohi sensei learnt the kata from interactions with Mabuni sensei.

Pinan Godan & Heian Gondan  (8 mins)

Shotokan & Shito-ryu versions are presented. Kata video on the pattern plus selected bunkai. Kata is performed fast, and at a slow walk through pace. The kanji for the Pinan (Heian) kata represent "peace and tranquility".  These kata were created by Sensei Itosu in Okinawa. The passage of the kata to Japan occurred via Mabuni sensei (founder of Shito-ryu) who took them first to the Kansai region of Japan. The kata also emerged in Tokyo via Funakoshi sensei (who renamed them "Heian" - a Japanese pronounciation). From a number of researchers it appears that Funaksohi sensei learnt the kata from interactions with Mabuni sensei.

Unshu & Unsu  (approx. 20 min) - see sample video above...

The Shotokan version is called "Unsu" while the Shito-ryu versions uses the kata's original name "Unsu". Translation of kanji is "Cloud Hands". Three versions of the Kata are presented in this video online including the Mabuni family line style of Shito-ryu (Seito Shito-ryu), the tournament style shito-ryu version and the Shotokan pattern. Selected bunkai are also shown.

Matsukaze (approx. 7min)

Translation of the kanji is "Wind in the Pines". Kata video online of pattern is reviewed plus selected bunkai.

Roku Empi and Taikyoku Kata (Juni no kata ichiban)   (5 min 30 sec. 7.7MB)

The kata roku empi was created by Mabuni Sensei.  The Translation of kanji is "Six elbows". Kata video download of pattern is reviewed plus selected bunkai. Also taught is Taikyoku (Juni kata) typically teh most basic grading kata for many martial arts styles.

Seienchin (approx. 18min)

Translation of kanji is "Calm in the storm".  The Kata is performed fast and slow at different angles and includes a slow walk through of the pattern. Selected bunkai are also included with a partner. Kata video download of Seienchin.

Translation of kanji is "Light from the South". The Kata is performed fast and slow at different angles and includes a slow walk through of the pattern. Selected bunkai are also included with a partner. The Kata has its origins in Taiwan before moving to Japan/Okinawa.

Bassai Dai  (approx. 14 min)

Shotokan and Shito-ryu versions are included. Translation of kanji is "To storm a fortress". The Kata is performed fast and slow at different angles and includes a slow walk through of the pattern. Selected bunkai are also included with a partner.

Seipai -  not included in this download; A Seipai kata download or DVD exists in a 50min video as a separate product on this website.

Gassho and Chinto (Gankaku)  (16min.)

Named after the Zen monk greeting posture. This Download Kata Video pattern is reviewed at full speed and step by step. The Kata is performed fast and slow at different angles and includes a slow walk through of the pattern. Selected bunkai are also included with a partner. Also on this video is Chinto (which is named gankaku in some styles like Shotokan).

Sochin (Shito-ryu version)    (approx. 13min)

The Shito-ryu versions of this kata was adapted from the Okinawan version taught by Arkaki (Sells, Unate ISBN0910704961). The Shotokan kata "sochin" is a completely different kata unrelated ot the Okinawan and Shito-ryu versions with the same name. The kata is most likely Chinese in origin and the name  can be translated to "Monks of Peace".

Jion and Naifanchin (Tekki Shodan)    (approx. 13min)

Shotokan & Shito-ryu versions oif these two kata are represneted on this video file: Jion (temple sound) and Naifanchin (Tekki Shodan). The Kata are performed fast and slow with walk through of pattern. Selected bunkai are also included. Thanks to Senpai Shawn Danaher, 3rd Dan Shotokan and Senpai Nick Lukich, 3rd Dan Shito-ryu & Sensei Jason Armstrong, 6th Dan Shito-ryu for the video footage.

Jion Seminar video  - a detailed 1 hour kata analysis also exists on this website click 

                             here for free streaming video...

note:  the 1hr Jion seminar video is a separate product to rief video on Jion which comes with the 19 kata files

Rohai and Jiin  9min (12.5MB)

Two kata are represneted on this video file: Rohai and Jiin.  The meaning of Rohai is(vision of a white heron). The meaning of Jiin is (Temple Ground).   These Kata are performed fast and slow at different angles and include a slow walk through of the pattern. Selected bunkai are also included with a partner.