Kata 型

The Japan Karate Association recognizes 25 Shotokan kata for grading and competition, plus Ji'in, which is still taught in many dojos. Tap a kata for its meaning and origin. 🎬 marks kata with the club's own JKA recording (students enter their check-in code once to watch).

Heian kata

5

Peaceful mind, first level

21 moves · 🎬8th Kyu · yellow belt

Peaceful mind, second level

26 moves · 🎬7th Kyu · orange belt

Peaceful mind, third level

20 moves · 🎬6th Kyu · green belt

Peaceful mind, fourth level

27 moves · 🎬5th Kyu · blue belt

Peaceful mind, fifth level

23 moves · 🎬4th Kyu · purple belt

Tekki kata

3

Iron horse (horse-riding), first level

29 moves · 🎬3rd Kyu · brown belt

Iron horse, second level

24 moves · 🎬Dan level

Iron horse, third level

36 moves · 🎬Dan level

Sentei kata

4

To storm (penetrate) a fortress — major

42 moves · 🎬2nd & 1st Kyu · brown belt · Shodan

To view the sky — major

65 moves · 🎬Shodan

37 moves · 🎬Shodan

Jion (temple name; 'mercy and gratitude')

47 moves · 🎬Shodan

Advanced kata

14

To storm a fortress — minor

27 moves · 🎬Dan level

To view the sky — minor

48 moves · 🎬Dan level

24 moves · 🎬Dan level

41 moves · 🎬Dan level

Crane on a rock

42 moves · 🎬Dan level

Twenty-four steps

34 moves · 🎬Dan level

Preserve the peace / powerful calm

41 moves · 🎬Dan level

Bright (polished) mirror

33 moves · 🎬Dan level

Rare (unusual) hands

33 moves · 🎬Dan level

48 moves · 🎬Dan level

24 moves · 🎬Dan level

五十四歩大

Fifty-four steps — major

62 moves · 🎬Dan level

五十四歩小

Fifty-four steps — minor

65 moves · 🎬Dan level

Temple ground / mercy and shade

35 moves · 🎬Not on current JKA list

Sources: JKA Tournament Rules & Regulations — official list of approved kata (Item 34) · JKA Katabook series (Karate-do Kata Vol. 1–4) · JKA Kyu/Dan Grading Guideline (which kata is examined at each grade) · Wikipedia: Shotokan (kata list, kanji). Movement counts vary slightly between references depending on how transitions are counted.