Vocabulary Technique 7 – Katas
| Forms of Practice (Kata) | ||
|---|---|---|
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Randori no kata — Form of practising randori —
乱取りの形 Freedom / taking / of / form
Randori no kata is composed of the union of two kata: nage no kata and katame no kata.It unfolds the fundamental techniques and forms of junomichi, leading practitioners to practise randori with efficiency. It expresses the fundamental link between standing work and ground work. |
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| Nage no kata | ||
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Nage no kata
— Form of projection —
投げの形 Throw / of / form
Nage no kata develops the essential projections and Ukemis used in junomichi.It is composed of five series, each presenting three techniques. All techniques begin standing and end with a projection, forming a single unit: kake. |
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| Katame no kata | ||
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Katame no kata — Form of control —
固めの形 Hold, make firm / of / form
Katame no kata studies the three categories of ground control: holding, strangulation and joint techniques.It demonstrates that control is continuous, extending through movement, transitions and the relationship between partners. |
| Forms of Initiative | ||
|---|---|---|
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Go no sen no kata — Form of attacking after —
後の先の形 After / of / initiative / of / form
Go no sen no kata presents two series of projection techniques executed by Tori in response to attacks initiated by Uke.By placing their action within the technique of Uke, Tori takes control and projects in the direction of the partner’s attack. It was created by Kyûzô Mifune and later formalised and refined. |
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| Sen no sen | ||
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Sen no sen — Initiative before —
先の先 Before / of / initiative
Sen no sen represents a more advanced form, allowing Tori to enter into the intention of Uke’s attack and anticipate it.It may be practised either as go no sen or sen no sen, depending on the level of engagement and timing. |
| Forms of Decision | ||
|---|---|---|
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Kime no kata
— Form of decision —
極の形 Decision / of / form
Kime no kata is composed of two series: idori (kneeling) and tachi ai (standing).Tori encompasses the successive actions of Uke with the body, without deviating them, and positions themselves to act. Control may be executed through projection, strike, strangulation or joint technique. Whatever the attack, Tori is always ready “before”, expressing decision and presence. Through this kata, Jigorô Kanô transmitted the principle of decision as inherited from jujutsu. |
| Forms of Softness | ||
|---|---|---|
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Jû no kata
— Form of being soft —
柔の形 Softness, suppleness / of / form
Jû no kata, created by Jigorô Kanô, consists of three series of five movements presented as teachings.Through its slowness, continuity, and absence of ukemi, it expresses how softness is embodied within sincere exchanges. The link between the hara of Tori and Uke is maintained continuously, and the work develops around continuity of action and control. Tori continues the attack to its limit, while Uke delays the ukemi through control and extension of the body. |
| Forms of Origin | ||
|---|---|---|
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Koshiki no kata — Form of ancient rites —
古式の形 Origin / ritual, style / of / form
Koshiki no kata is inherited from the Kitô ryû school of jujutsu and reflects ancient combat forms.It presents a stylised encounter between two armoured samurai, where movement is slow and controlled. Each attack brings the partners closer to a decisive limit, expressing progression towards an ultimate outcome. |
| Forms of Principles | ||
|---|---|---|
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Itsutsu no kata — Five forms —
五つの形 Five / form
Itsutsu no kata is the last kata created by Jigorô Kanô, expressing a refined and essential form of practice.Through simple movements such as pushing, lifting, spiralling, returning and erasing, it develops a body based on non-opposition. One of its central aspects is the efficiency of projection with minimal or no use of grip, culminating in a projection without physical contact. The five movements form a simple enumeration, inviting the practitioner to approach the kata as a continuous whole. |
| Forms of Movement | ||
|---|---|---|
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Nanatsu no kata — Seven forms —
七つの形 Seven / form
Nanatsu no kata, created by Tokio Hirano, consists of two series: omote and ura, each composed of seven movements.Inspired by the movement of the sea, it develops a wave-like dynamic guiding projection. In omote, Tori leads through this wave; in ura, Uke initiates and Tori enters and overturns the movement. It expresses how a vast underlying movement supports even the shortest and most immediate actions. |