Kata

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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