The official JKA Shotokan Kata plus two unofficial kata are tabulated to show their relative position, time and distance.
Number of moves and kiai kyodo are taken from "Best Karate" when given.
Duration times are taken from an average of a. Best Karate, b. Videos on YouTube by reknowned masters, c. my own interpretation. Best Karate gives an approximate time for most but not all kata. The time taken to perform a kata depends on the size of the person doing it: I am slightly above average height but compared to some masters I may be considered much taller. Kata performed in videos are often slower than the ideal speed for the purposes of instruction.
It is assumed that there is a standard area available that is large enough for performing Heian Shodan, all measurements are relative to this. Start, size and jump distance are based on the principle that Kata should return to the start position. Stance lengths are all for zenkutsu-dachi.
If you have enough space to perform Heian Shodan, then for Sochin you will need to start "+1.5N" meaning "an additional 1.5 stance lengths North" and the size of "+1W+1S" means "an additional 1 stance to the West and 1 stance length South will be required". I have not recorded where less space is required.
The Jump column shows how much distance should be travelled by the jump(s).
All values are approximate. I suggest that you take this table as a rough guide and verify for yourself the actual values. Please contact me if you find any gross errors.
Name | Moves (Kiai) | Duration | Start | Size | Jump |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heian Shodan 平安初段 | 21 (9,17) | 00m40s | 0 | 0 | |
Heian Nidan 平安2段 | 26 (11,26) | 00m40s | +1N | 0 | |
Heian Sandan 平安3段 | 20 (10,20) | 00m40s | 0 | +1N | |
Heian Yondan 平安4段 | 27 (13,25) | 00m50s | +1N | 0 | |
Heian Godan 平安5段 | 23 (12,19) | 00m50s | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Tekki Shodan 鉄騎初段 | 29 (15,29) | 00m50s | 0 | 0 | |
Tekki Nidan 鉄騎2段 | 24 (16,24) | 00m50s | +1W | 0 | |
Tekki Sandan 鉄騎3段 | 36 (16,36) | 00m30s | 0 | +1E | |
Bassai Dai 抜塞大 | 42 (19,42) | 01m00s | +1N | 0 | |
Kanku Dai 観空大 | 65 (15,64) | 01m30s | +1N | 0 | 2 |
Jitte 十手 | 24 (13,24) | 01m00s | +1N | +1N | |
Hangetsu 半月 | 41 (11,40) | 01m00s | 0 | 0 | |
Empi 燕飛 | 37 (15,36) | 01m00s | 1 | +0.5W+0.5N | 1.25 |
Gankaku 岩鶴 | 42 (28,42) | 01m05s | +1N | 0 | 1 |
Jion 慈恩 | 47 (17,47) | 01m00s | +1N | +1N | |
Bassai Sho 抜塞小 | 27 (17,22[1]) | 00m50s | 0 | 0 | |
Kanku Sho 観空小 | 47 (6[2],47) | 01m00s | +1N | 0 | a. 0, b. 1 |
Chinte 珍手 | 33 (9,32) | 00m55s | +2N | 0 | |
Unsu 雲手 | 48 (36,48) | 01m00s | +1N | +0.5N | 0 |
Sochin 壮鎮 | 40 (28,40) | 01m00s | +1.5N | +1W+1S | |
Nijushiho 二十四歩 [3] | 34 (10,33) | 00m50s | +2N | +2S | |
Gojushiho Dai 五十四歩大 | 62 (54,61) | 01m40s | 0 | +1.5N | |
Gojushiho Sho 五十四歩小 | 65 (57,64) | 01m25s | 0 | +0.5W+0.5E+1.5N | |
Meikyo 明鏡 | 33 (32) | 00m50s | +1N | +2N | 2 |
Jiin 慈陰 | 35 (11,35) [4] | 00m50s | +1N | +1.5N | |
Wankan 王冠 | 21 (5,21) [5] | 00m25s | 0 | 0 |
In my 2007 JKA Diary there are some other discrepancies that I haven't been able to reconcile: