EVERY karate style and, in fact, every martial art has a series of moves or patterns that are known as KATA. A kata contains a set number of techniques all joined together by stances in various directions along a set path called an EMBUSSEN. In general, these kata start and finish in the same spot and facing in the same direction that they commence.
Each style of karate has a “collection” of kata(s) known as its CANON.
Each kata has a specific name and meaning. For example, in SHOTOKAN, one of the kata in its canon is called EMPI. Empi translates as “flight of the swallow.” It’s a kata of some 48 separate moves. There are generally 26 separate kata in Shotokan.
ZANSHIN KAI KARATE DO & KOBUDO (ZKKD) utilises all but one of the Shotokan kata, namely UNSU. However, ZKKD also practices a number of other kata from other styles, such as GOJU and SHITO RYU. Added to these are various weapon kata AND its own UNIQUE karate kata(s) and weapon kata(s) that are not found anywhere else. These are (in order from the most basic to the most advanced):
LIST Of SPECIFIC KARATE KATA of ZKKD:
01 – Zanshin Shodan
02 – Zanshin Nidan
03 – Zanshin Sandan
04 – Zanshin Yondan
05 – Zanshin Godan
06 – Budo No Kihon
07 – Tensho Nidan
08 – Bassai Nidan
09 – Garyu
LIST Of SPECIFIC KOBUDO KATA of ZKKD:
01 – Bokken No Jutte
02 – Tonfa No Rohai
03 – Sai No Chinte
04 – Kon No Nijushiho
05 – Kama No Bassai
06 – Tanto No Tensho
07 – Nunchaku No Okan
08 – Kuwa No Sesan
09 – Hanbo No Kihon
So, in all, there are 18 specific kata(s) of ZKKD that are not performed anywhere else (in the world). This means that ZKKD could be a style all of its own. However, we consider it to be a style within a style.
Here is a floor plan stepped out in the sand at Santa Barbara beach when I was training in the USA back in 2007. It is the EMBUSSEN of the kata GOJUSHIHO SHO.
This kata was performed very early in the morning – around 5.30am – when very few others were up and about. It was done FIVE times on separate parts of the beach sand. All five looked exactly the same. When you are dedicated to your training there is NOTHING that will stop you!
THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION – TO BE CONTINUED – CHECK BACK OFTEN