Punches
- Front punch - Oi Zuki
- Reverse punch - Gyaku Zuki
- Rising punch - Age Zuki
- Short punch - Kizami Zuki
Kata — JKA Shotokan syllabus
Kata are formal exercises that encode stances, transitions, and techniques. The tables below follow the JKA HQ grading guideline (effective 1 April 2022) for which kata are required at each examination, plus the full standard JKA Shotokan repertoire with rank notes.
Kata required at each kyu / 1st dan exam
| Rank | Kata for examination |
|---|---|
| 10th kyu | No kata (kihon only) |
| 9th kyu | No kata (kihon only) |
| 8th kyu | Taikyoku Shodan (太極初段) |
| 7th kyu | Heian Shodan (平安初段) |
| 6th kyu | Heian Nidan (平安二段) |
| 5th kyu | Heian Sandan (平安三段) |
| 4th kyu | Heian Yondan (平安四段) |
| 3rd kyu | Heian Godan (平安五段) |
| 2nd kyu | Tekki Shodan (鉄騎初段) |
| 1st kyu | Bassai Dai (拔塞大) |
| 1st dan (shodan) | Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai (観空大), and either Enpi (燕飛) or Jion (慈恩) — candidate's choice |
Higher dan (JKA HQ): From 2nd dan upward the published guideline uses the candidate's chosen kata (and from 5th dan, examiners may specify kata from Heian Shodan through Tekki Sandan; from 6th dan, also Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, or Jion). Always confirm with your branch or examiner before grading.
All standard JKA Shotokan kata — rank association
Romanisation follows common JKA usage. Kata marked Exam match the kyu/shodan table above; others are official syllabus kata typically introduced after shodan — order varies by dojo and country.
| Kata | Japanese | Associated rank / note |
|---|---|---|
| Taikyoku Shodan | 太極初段 | 8th kyu exam |
| Taikyoku Nidan | 太極二段 | Foundation (often before / alongside early kyu; not listed for kyu exam on JKA HQ chart) |
| Taikyoku Sandan | 太極三段 | Foundation (same as Nidan) |
| Heian Shodan | 平安初段 | 7th kyu exam; from 5th dan — examiner may specify (among Heian–Tekki Sandan) |
| Heian Nidan | 平安二段 | 6th kyu exam; 5th dan+ examiner pool |
| Heian Sandan | 平安三段 | 5th kyu exam; 5th dan+ examiner pool |
| Heian Yondan | 平安四段 | 4th kyu exam; 5th dan+ examiner pool |
| Heian Godan | 平安五段 | 3rd kyu exam; 5th dan+ examiner pool |
| Tekki Shodan | 鉄騎初段 | 2nd kyu exam; 5th dan+ examiner pool |
| Tekki Nidan | 鉄騎二段 | Syllabus; usually brown belt / 1st kyu period or after shodan (dojo-dependent); 5th dan+ examiner pool |
| Tekki Sandan | 鉄騎三段 | Syllabus; typically after Tekki Nidan; 5th dan+ examiner pool |
| Bassai Dai | 拔塞大 | 1st kyu exam; 1st dan exam; from 6th dan — examiner may specify |
| Bassai Sho | 拔塞小 | Syllabus; commonly studied after shodan; 2nd–7th dan — favourite / examiner choice |
| Kanku Dai | 観空大 | 1st dan exam; from 6th dan — examiner may specify |
| Kanku Sho | 観空小 | Syllabus; commonly after Kanku Dai; higher dan favourite / examiner choice |
| Enpi (Empi) | 燕飛 | 1st dan exam (or Jion); from 6th dan — examiner may specify |
| Jion | 慈恩 | 1st dan exam (or Enpi); from 6th dan — examiner may specify |
| Jitte | 十手 | Syllabus; typically 2nd dan level in many branches; favourite / examiner choice |
| Hangetsu | 半月 | Syllabus; often mid–advanced dan; favourite / examiner choice |
| Gankaku | 岩鶴 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Ji'in | 慈陰 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Chinte | 珍手 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Sochin | 壮鎮 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Meikyo | 明鏡 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Wankan | 王冠 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Gojushiho Dai | 五十四歩大 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Gojushiho Sho | 五十四歩小 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Nijushiho | 二十四歩 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
| Unsu | 雲手 | Syllabus; advanced; favourite / examiner choice |
Source summary: JKA — Dan ranking / grading guideline (kyu & 1st dan kata columns). Higher-dan rules are abbreviated; your national JKA organisation may publish extra detail.
Kihon
Fundamental techniques: punches, kicks, blocks, and transitions (JKA syllabus progresses from stationary basics to moving ido kihon by rank). Add your dojo notes here.
- Basic punches and blocks
- Kicking fundamentals
- Stance transitions
- Rhythm and breathing
Kumite
Partner work and sparring. JKA HQ guideline examples by stage: Gohon Kumite, Kihon Ippon Kumite, Jiyu Ippon Kumite, Jiyu Kumite (exact requirements per rank are in the official syllabus).
- Gohon Kumite
- Kihon Ippon Kumite
- Jiyu Ippon Kumite
- Jiyu Kumite
Technique Glossary (EN / Japanese)
Kicks
- Front kick - Mae Geri
- Roundhouse kick - Mawashi Geri
- Side kick - Yoko Geri
- Back kick - Ushiro Geri
Stances
- Front stance - Zenkutsu Dachi
- Back stance - Kokutsu Dachi
- Horse stance - Kiba Dachi
- Cat stance - Neko Ashi Dachi