GKR Kata Syllabus
The grade column below is the grade that you would be attempting to reach when you are assessed on these kata.
I haven’t learned all these kata yet, so my understanding of the principles gets lesser towards the end of the list.
| Kata name | Meaning | Principles | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taigyoku Shodan | First cause 1st level | Explosive movement, moving to attack, turning to control or throw | 7th kyu |
| Taigyoku Nidan | First cause 2nd level | Balance, power through hips | 7th kyu |
| Saifa | Smash and tear | Defend from side-on, tear free from a grip | 6th & 5th kyu |
| Bassai-dai | Destroy/breach the fortress | Grounded, defensive stances, deflect energy of attacks | 4th & 3rd kyu |
| Seiunchin | The calm in the storm, or To grab and pull in battle | Circular techniques, controlling attacker, multiple attacks w/ same hand | 2nd kyu |
| Empi | Flying swallow | Explosiveness, agility, evasion, attacking blocks | 1st kyu |
| Sanseru | 36 hands | Relax-tense, defend from side-on | Shodan-ho |
| Sepai | 18 hands | Circular techniques, flow | Shodan-ho & Shodan |
| Hangetsu | Half/crescent moon | Shodan | |
| Kanku-dai | View the sky (major) | Explosiveness, agility, pulling+lifting, kicks open opponent’s guard | Nidan |
| Kururunfa | Always still, suddenly striking, or Hold patiently, suddenly destroy | Evasion, snappy counters, flow | Nidan |
| Shisochin | Battle in Four Directions | kaishu waza (open-hand techniques), moving to opponent’s side, grabbing/controlling | Sandan |
| Kanku-sho | View the sky (small) | Sandan | |
| Seisan | 13, or 10 hand and 3 | Close combat, move forward, hazushi waza (releasing techniques) | Yondan |
| Sochin | Strong calm | Deep stance (fudo dachi), move forward | Yondan |
