TRADITIONAL ART FORM or KATA are formal exercises of prearranged
techniques (empty hand or with ancient farm tools such as, bo staff,
nunchucks, kama, or sai), performed in a fixed order. Kata improves fighting skills such as, stances, turns,
posture, flexibility, balance, applications of speed and power (yin and yang),
direction of gaze, focus of target areas, details of technique, mind set, breathing,
relaxation, and muscle tension (kime). The American Open Karate System includes three
basic patterns or pathways of kata varying in degree of difficulty as rank progresses.
All kata
patterns terminate at their original starting positions.
- Beginner - I or H Patterns
- Intermediate - Pine Tree Patterns
- Advanced - Straight Line or Star Patterns
KATA must be practiced in three steps: fusing the mind, body, and
spirit, in order to bring each kata to life with its own personality and
characteristics.
- Mind - Memorize the direction and sequence of technique.
- Body - Develop the physical applications.
- Spirit - Perform the kata with no thought or
no mind (Mushin).
TEN EMPTY HAND KATA are required for Black Belt Level
in the Traditional Art
Form of the American Open Karate System under the American Karate
Academies National Association.
|
|
BELT
|
KATA
|
CHARACTERISTICS
|
|
1
|
9th Yellow
|
Left & Right Pivot Form
|
Forward Stances / Stepping /
Pivoting / Checking & Blocking / Coordination of Left &
Right Sides / Body Posture
|
|
2
|
8th Gold
|
H-Pattern 1
|
Directing the Gaze / Turning /
Blocking / Leading & Lunging / Body
Timing
|
|
3
|
7th Orange
|
H-Pattern 2
|
Power (Yin/Yang) / Kicking /
Jungle Stances / Soft Blocking &
Grabbing
|
| 4 |
6th Green |
H-Pattern
3 |
Tension & Relaxation
(Kime) / Cat Stances / X-Striking / Front Leg Kicking / Hopping
& Turning / Parrying |
|
5
|
5th Blue
|
Lion Form
|
Back Stances / Rooted or Basic
Stances / Crane Stances / Dragon Stances / Shuto Striking /
Angular Directions / Shifting
|
|
6
|
4th Purple
|
Swift as the Deer
|
Circular Arm Movements /
Continuous Motion (Tomoe) / 5 Animal Forms / Grabbing &
Sweeping / Jumping
|
|
7
|
3rd Red
|
Elbow & Knee Sequence
|
Fighting Technique of Elbows
and Knees
|
|
8
|
2nd Light Brown
|
Naihanchi Sho
|
Strong Stances / Hand to Hand
& Hand to Foot Body Timing / Center Strength
|
|
9
|
1st Dark Brown
|
Sanchin
(3 Levels)
|
Immoveable Stances / Hard
Breathing / Ki or Chi Power / Body Alignment / Contraction &
Relaxation
|
|
10
|
Shodan Black
|
Bassai
|
Balance / Hip Movement /
Timing & Rhythm / Monkey Wrist Movements
|
|
11
|
Nidan Black
|
Empi
|
Quick, Sharp, Birdlike
Movements / Fluidness / Shifting & Jumping
|
|
12
|
Sandan Black
|
Unsu
|
Chicken Neck Blocking /
Dropping / One Leg Pivoting / Broken Rhythm / Soft & Fluid
Transitions / Jumping &
Turning
|
