When Meijin Funakoshi came to
mainland Japan, he taught 16 katas: 5 Pinan,
3 Naihanchi, Kushanku Dai, Kushanku Sho,
Seisan, Patsai, Wanshu, Chinte, Jitte and
Jion. He kept his students on the basic ones
before they progressed to the more advanced
forms. He actually taught at least 40 katas,
these were later included in the limited but
monumental work by Shigeru Egami "Karate-do
for the Specialist".
Funakoshi sincerely believed it would take a
lifetime to master a handful of katas and
that sixteen would be enough. Funakoshi
insisted on Hito-Kata Sanen (three years on
one kata). He chose the katas which were best
suited for physical stress and self-defense.
History and Master Funakoshi's great ability
as a teacher and Karate technician have
proved his philosophy that kata practice was
more than sufficient in times of need. He
believed that karate was an art rather than
a sport. To him, kata was karate.
Modern day Shotokan Karate consists of 26
Katas. Each kata is unique and has its own
importance and values, that yield numerous
benefits to the karateka who practice them
with true spirit.
