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What
is Kata?
Kata is a set of pre-arranged forms or techniques. Kata prescribes
certain responses so that uke and tori can learn under controlled
circumstances. However, effectively practiced kata means that
tori and uke have internalized certain principles and, should
prescribed kata not be followed, these principles will still
be maintained. Or, to put it as Mr. Geis does, "when you
do kata for real, you do real kata."
The kata represented below entails all the kata needed to advance
to shodan (1st degree black). Other katas studied at advanced
levels are briefly mentioned below.
Ukemi
(falling and the art of uke)
Ukemi is
the part of Aikido that is involved in being a partner to some
other person who is practicing a technique. As you advance you
will discover that ukemi involves many diverse skills, but the
first aspect of it is learning how to fall down without being
injured. This is obviously a very important skill and must be
practiced often.
1. triangular
collapsed forward rolling breakfall
2. inline collapsed forward rolling breakfall
3. forward rolling breakfall
4. backward breakfall
5. side breakfall
6. forward breakfall
7. side breakfall and roll
8. backward breakfall and roll
9. airfall
Tegatana
no Kata
Tegatana
no Kata (The Form of Hand-Blades) is an exercise that is composed
of basic movements found throughout Aikido. It teaches proper
posture and balance and emphasizes essential principles that
will be necessary in later practice. This is the foundation
for the rest of aikido training; without it, one cannot become
an effective aikidoka. The student should imagine an attacker
in this kata against whom you evade or perform off-balances.
1. diagonal
step
2. side step
3. turning diagonal step
4. step forward and push
5. over the shoulder push
6. step forward and circle your hand (palm up)
7. reaching around in front and pushing up to the side (palm
out)
8. forward pivot and push up
9. "helicopter" pivot and lift
10. hip switch
11. backward pivot and push up
12. side circle
Hanasu
no Kata
Hanasu
no Kata (The Form of Releases) is an exercise that is performed
with a partner. Taking the fundamental principles from Tegatana
No Kata, this kata teaches the student how to maintain balance,
diffuse an attack, and break a partner’s balance. As in
Tegatana no Kata, the movements and principles learned in this
exercise are found throughout later techniques.
Hand positions are given beside the number (palm (D)own or palm
(U)p).
1.D cross-hand
outside release
2.U cross-hand push release (purse-snatching)
3.U same-hand outside release
4.D same-hand push release (purse-snatching)
5.D cross-hand, normal-pull pit
6.U cross-hand, cross-pull pit
7.U same-hand, normal-pull pit
8.D same-hand, cross-pull pit
Ni
Ju San Hon Kata
Ni Ju San
Hon Kata (Twenty three Basic Techniques)contains the basic techniques
that make up the core of Aikido.
Atemi Waza
(striking techniques)
1. shomen ate - inside face push
2. aigamae ate - outside face push
3. gyakugamae ate - outside forehead push
4. gedan ate - lower body push
5. ushiro ate - pull-down backwards
Hiji Waza (elbow techniques)
6. oshi taoshi - elbow push over
7. ude gaeshi (ude garami) - entangling the arm
8. hiki taoshi - elbow pull-down
9. ude hineri - bar hammer-lock
10. waki gatame - side armlock
11. goshin jitsu waki gatame - side armlock variation
Kote Waza (wrist techniques)
12. kote hineri - wrist twist
13. kote gaeshi - wrist turn out
14. tenkai kote hineri -circular wrist turn out
15. shiho nage - four corner throw
16. tenkai kote gaeshi - circular wrist twist
Uki Waza (floating techniques)
17. mae otoshi - front drop
18. kote taoshi - wrist twist and push down
19. sumi otoshi - corner drop
20. sumi taoshi - corner push down
21. sumi guruma - corner wheel throw
22. sumi tai guruma - corner body wheel throw
17. hiki otoshi guruma- elbow wheel drop
O Waza Ju Pon
O Waza Ju
Pon ("The Big Ten") is a set of ten techniques. Although
many seem similar to techniques found in the Ni Ju San Hon Kata,
these techniques are done when moving away (separating) from
uke's attack rather than entering into uke's attack, like the
previous kata. The first five techniques are required for the
rank of shodan.
1. Kubi Guruma - neck wheel
2. Kata Otoshi - shoulder drop
3. Ude Guruma - arm wheel
4. Hiji Guruma - elbow wheel
5. Aiki Nage - harmony throw
6. Shiho Nage - four corner throw
7. Ushiro Ate - pull down backwards
8. Kote Gaeshi - wrist twist
9. Ushiro Kubi Gatame - rear neck hold
10. Shizumi Otoshi - body drop
Koryu Kata
The study of the Koryu Katas ("Old Style Forms") primarily
include the San and Yon Kata (3rd and 4th Advanced Forms). Six
total katas exist, but the first two are not often practiced
because their lessons are found in the other katas. The Go and
Rokyu Katas (5th and 6th Advanced Forms) are usually only studied
by experienced aikidoka.
San Kata includes suwari (kneeling) techniques and defenses
against rear attacks, chokes, knife, jo (staff), and sword attacks.
Yon Kata takes the wrist releases (hanasu no kata) to a new
level, examining them in light of faster attacks and responses
to counter techniques.
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