Saw this stuff and thought it was interesting. Thought that the Group might like to read it. It comes from the website of KARATE UNION OF AUSTRALIA. They have a pretty interesting Website and it seems as it is very tasteful. The URL is http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/index.html

"The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants." - Gichin Funakoshi

Heian

The old name for the Haian Kata was Pinan. These Kata were developed by Yatasune Itosu as intermediate Kata to the much longer main Kata of Shorin-Ryu. He did not make them up however, they were based on much older training forms called Channan, which had their origin in China. 

Master Funakoshi considered Pinan Shodan too difficult for an introductory Kata so he changed Pinan Nidan to Heian Shodan and Pinan Shodan to Heian Nidan.

For beginners, a somewhat simplified version of Heian Shodan was introduced, which is called Taikyoku Shodan. This is most often used for 9th Kyu gradings as a "stepping-stone" to Heian Shodan.

Tekki

The Okinawan name for these was Naihanchi and they are directly taken from the long form called Hua-Chuan which is one, one of the main training forms of Tiger Style Northern Shaolin Wu-Shu. It was on Okinawa that the Kata was split into three separate sections that we now call Tekki Shodan, Nidan and Sandan.

The name means "Iron Horse". The Kiba-dachi stance used exclusively in these Kata is the main training stance of Northern Shaolin Tiger Style of Wu-Shu.

The Tekki Kata we know and practise today are as follows....

Bassai  

Again these Kata are from Northern Shaolin sources but from which sub-style we are not sure. They do however, have strong Tiger Style characteristics.

The name used on Okinawa was "Passai" and it translates as "Capture the Fortress". 

We are taught that Bassai-Dai symbolizes the capture of the fortress and Bassai-Sho symbolizes the fight to get out again.

Kanku

The Kanku Kata were taught to the Okinawans by Master Kwang Shang Fu - Military Attaché to Okinawa in 1724. The Okinawan way of saying his name is Kushanku and this was the Okinawan name for these Kata.

Master Funakoshi changed the name to Kanku which means "to view the sky".

Jion  

This is the classic "mainstream" Shaolin Kata, complete with the "Ming" salute at the beginning. Shaolin was also named Jion-Ji by the Japanese but the literal translation of the Kanji is "to love the sound" (of Shaolin).

Ji-In

Another Shaolin Classic and all of the above relating to Jion apply here too. The name translates to "love of truth

Chinte  

This Kata is one of the older ones and it's salute at the beginning betrays its Wutang origin. The name translates to "to restore calm" or "to establish peace". 

The final moves of this Kata are supposed to represent the ocean waves disappearing into the dry sand on the beach just as your enemies would vanish before you if you master these techniques.

Jutte (Jitte)

Another Shaolin classic. The name means "ten hands". If you master this Kata, your enemies will feel as though you had ten hands

Empi  

A classic white crane style Kata brought to Okinawa in 1644 by Military Attaché Master Wang-Shu. The Kata was names after him hence its Okinawan name of "Wanshu". This translates to "excellent or incredible arms" and perhaps this explains the lovely hand techniques this Kata contains.

It also tells us that Master Wang-Shu must have been very good with his hands.

Hangetsu

This is a Wutang Kata that came to us through Master Itosu's training in Na-Ha-te from Master Higaonna. It is named after the third Chinese Zen Patriarch but the name Hangetsu, given to it by Master Funakoshi, means "half moon" - a description of the stance.

Sochin

This is a Northern Shaolin Dragon Style originally taught on Okinawa by Master Aragaki. This Kata is supposed to demonstrate the power of "Ki" and the name means "to overcome using power" (of Ki).

Unsu

Another Dragon Style Kata from Aragaki. Where he trained is not known but the strong Chinese influences in this Kata suggest it was certainly in Mainland China.

The name used on Okinawa is "Unshou" and it means "cloud defence" - even if your enemies surround you like a cloud, you will surely defeat them if you master Unsu.

Nijushiho

Another of Aragaki's Kata but this one is thought to have its origins in one of the Dragon sub-styles.

The name translates to "the twenty four steps". The form they are taken from is called "Kaisan". The old name was "Neseishi".

Gojushiho

These Kata are a departure from the norm as they have their origin in a Southern Shaolin Style called "Phonexi Eye". The form they are taken from is called "Kaisan". The name on Okinawa was "Useishi" but this was changed to Gojushiho - "the fifty four steps".

Meikyo

This is a very mysterious Kata. It seems that the Japanese knew it long before Master Funakoshi introduced Okinawan Karate into Japan. There is even a Japanese legend concerning Ameratsu, the Sun Goddess. 

It appears Ameratsu lost her mirror and could not admire herself and so went into a sulk. The world therefore, was in darkness. At last the other Gods decided something must be done so they sent a great warrior to perform a "war dance" outside her cave.

Hearing the noise, Ameratsu became curious and came out of the cave. The "war dance" was reputed to be Meikyo.

Meikyo translates to "mirror of the soul". The old name for Meikyo was Rohai and this is now coming back into use.

Wankan

Shaolin based Kata of unknown origin. The old name was Wanduan and the name translates to "sword arm". Using these techniques, your enemies will think your arm is a sword.

Gankaku  

Yet another White Crane form, this time taught by Master Ching-To, attaché to Okinawa from the Ming court in 1732, and so the Okinawans named it in his honor "Chinto".

Master Funakoshi later renamed it Gankaku  (the crane on a rock).