Kata
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224483195
2008-07-09T01:21:24Z
Jpoelma13
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 224483133 by [[Special:Contributions/76.6.79.251|76.6.79.251]] ([[User talk:76.6.79.251|talk]])
{{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}}
: ''For other uses, see [[Kata (disambiguation)]].''
{{infobox martial art term
| pic = Iaido2.jpg
| piccap = Solo training of kata is the primary form of practice in some martial arts, such as ''[[iaidō]]''.
| kanji = 1. 型<br>2. 形
| hiragana = かた
| revhep = kata
}}{{Nihongo|'''Kata'''|型 or 形|literally: "form"}} is a [[Japanese language|Japanese]] word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater forms like ''[[kabuki]]'' and schools of tea ceremony (''[[Japanese tea ceremony|chadō]]''), but are most commonly known for the presence in the martial arts. Kata are used by most traditional [[Japanese martial arts|Japanese]] and [[Okinawan martial arts]], such as ''[[aikido|aikidō]]'', ''[[iaidō]]'', ''[[jōdō]]'', ''[[judo|jūdō]]'', ''[[jujutsu|jūjutsu]]'', ''[[kendo|kendō]]'' and ''[[karate|karatedō]]''. Other arts such as [[t'ai chi ch'uan]] and [[taekwondo]] feature the same kind of training, but use the respective [[Chinese language|Chinese]] and [[Korean language|Korean]] words instead.
== Japanese martial arts ==
In Japanese martial arts practice, kata is often seen as an essential partner to ''[[randori]]'' training with one complementing the other. However, the actual type and frequency of kata versus ''randori'' training varies from art to art. In ''[[iaidō]]'', solo kata using the Japanese sword ([[katana]]) comprises almost all of the training. Whereas in [[judo]], kata training is de-emphasized and usually only prepared for [[dan rank|dan]] grading.
In ''[[kenjutsu]]'', paired kata at the beginners level can appear to be stilted. At higher levels serious injury is prevented only by a high sensitivity of both participants to important concepts being taught and trained for. These include timing and distance, with the kata practiced at high speed. This adjustability of kata training is found in other Japanese arts with roles of attacker and defender often interchanging within the sequence.
Many martial arts use kata for public demonstrations and in competitions, awarding points for such aspects of technique as style, balance, timing, and verisimilitude (appearance of being real).
[[Image:Emmanuelle-Fumonde-en-démonstration.jpg|thumb|150 px|left|''2005 junior French karate champ Emmanuelle Fumonde, [[Sainte-Suzanne (Réunion)|Sainte-Suzanne]] ([[Réunion]])'']]
== Karate ==
{{main|Karate kata}}
The most popular image associated with kata is that of a [[karate]] practitioner performing a series of punches and kicks in the air. The kata are executed as a specified series of approximately 20 to 70 moves, generally with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. There are perhaps 100 kata across the various forms of karate, each with many minor variations. The number of moves in a kata may be referred to in the name of the kata, e.g., Gojushiho, which means "54 steps." The number of moves may also have links with Buddhist spirituality. The number 108 is significant in Buddhism, and kata with 54, 36, or 27 moves (divisors of 108) are common. The practitioner is generally counselled to visualize the enemy attacks, and his or her responses, as actually occurring, and ''karateka'' are often told to "read" a kata, to explain the imagined events. The study of the meaning of the movements is referred to as the [[bunkai]], meaning analysis, of the kata.
One explanation of the use of kata is as a reference guide for a set of moves. Not to be used following that "set" pattern but to keep the movements "filed". After learning these kata, this set of learned skills can then be used in a sparring scenario (particularly without points). The main objective here is to try out different combinations of techniques in a safe, practice environment to ultimately find out how to defeat your opponent.
{{-}}
== Judo ==
{{See also|Category:Judo kata}}
[[Judo]] has several kata, mostly created in the late 19th century by [[Kano Jigoro]], the founder of judo. All but one of the judo kata involve two participants. Judo kata preserve a number of techniques that are not permitted in competition or in ''randori'', including punches, kicks, and the use of the [[katana]] and other weapons. The study of kata is usually begun much later in judo than in karate, typically at around the brown belt level. The most commonly studied judo kata is [[Nage-no-kata]], which consists of fifteen throwing techniques. The [[Katame-no-kata]] is composed of pinning techniques, chokes, and joint locks. [[Kime-no-kata]] is a long kata consisting of self-defense techniques against both unarmed attacks, and attacks with swords and knives.
[[Image:baton_long.jpg|thumb|left|''[[aka (burma)|Aka]] with stick'' (4 Winds)]]
== Non-Japanese martial arts ==
{{convertipa}}
In [[Burmese martial arts]], there are many [[aka (burmese)|aka]]s. [[Bando]] practitioners ([[Bandoist]]) need to understand various types of body structure first. There are nine "Bando basic forms" in the Bando system ([[Hanthawaddy bando system]]) and 9 animal forms.
[[Image:Aka_point.jpg|thumb|right|''A defensive form in the "point-form" ([[bando]])'']]
In [[:Category:Korean martial arts|Korean martial arts]] such as [[taekwondo]] and ''[[Tang Soo Do|tangsudo]]'' ("''tang soo do''"), the [[Korean language|Korean]] word ''[[hyung]]'' is usually employed, though in some cases other words are used. The [[International Taekwondo Federation]] uses the Korean word ''[[Hyung|tul]]'', while the [[World Taekwondo Federation]] uses the word ''poomsae'' or simply the English translations "[[pattern]]" or "form." Aside from the first two patterns taught to white belts, these patterns are known as "Taeguks" for patterns below black belt and range from one to eight. They are the basis for certain taekwondo competitions, based on the quality of the subject's pattern execution, and are a key element of [[gradings]].
In [[:Category:Vietnamese martial arts|Vietnamese martial arts]], e.g., ''[[vovinam]]'' ''[[Viet Vo Dao|viet vo dao]]'' the [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] word ''[[quyen]]'' is used.
In [[Chinese martial arts]], forms are known as ''taolu''. Modern forms are used in ''[[wushu (sport)|wushu]]'' competitions.
In Indonesian martial arts, mainly [[Silat]], forms with the upper body are knows as ''djurus'', forms with the lower body are known as ''langkah'', and forms with the whole body are known as ''dasar pasang''.
== External links ==
* [http://www.judoinfo.com/katamenu.htm Information on the Kata of Judo].
* [http://www.judo-snijders.nl/engels/video-kata-judo.html Judo Kata videos].
* [http://kata-reference.com Karate, Okinawan Kobudo and Kendo Kata videos].
[[Category:Japanese martial arts terms]]
[[Category:Aikido]]
[[Category:Jujutsu]]
[[Category:Karate]]
[[Category:Judo]]
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