Tetsujin
Yellow Belt
Quite independently of what makes for an 'objectively good' kata, we all have our personal favorites which we enjoy performing more than others. And there are others which even if core kata with key principles to teach, we may not personally enjoy quite as much as others.
So as a matter of personal taste, which kata are your favorites? And why? What features or techniques make a kata more (or less) appealing to you?
(Of course a mere name isn't going to mean much given the vast number of different kata out there, and the variation between styles for kata of the same name, so you'll need to give some description of your kata along with why you enjoy (or don't enjoy) them.)
For myself, I like kata with interesting variation in techniques and stances. And interesting combinations or individual techniques with fighting applications which are not immediately obvious. I prefer kata with at least some kicking technique such as a front kick or two thrown in somewhere, and I like a kata that has a good flow, or natural rhythm to its performance when done without a count.
One of my favorites is Ni Sei Shi (Yoshukai), as it has a good variation in rhythm changing from slow tension blocks and double punches at the start to fast snappy knifehand strikes later on. I also like the 180deg shuto strike turning into a cross-leg stance as it allows you to really put some momentum, speed, and power into the strike.
Another favorite is Ro Hai Sho (Yoshukai) as it has a challenging forward-stepping 360deg turning motion (into a block and spearhand strike) which is challenging and takes good balance and footwork to perform well. And more importantly it is one of the few katas that translates well to multiple weapons, as it can be performed both as a regular kata, and with either bo or sai.
I also like kata which emphasize hip-torquing, as being of a slightly smaller build compared to some, it really helps me to develop powerful punches and strikes. Examples for me would be Tenshin (Yoshukai) and Wanchin (Geshinkai), both of which utilize a lot of hip rotation.
So which kata do you enjoy, and why?
So as a matter of personal taste, which kata are your favorites? And why? What features or techniques make a kata more (or less) appealing to you?
(Of course a mere name isn't going to mean much given the vast number of different kata out there, and the variation between styles for kata of the same name, so you'll need to give some description of your kata along with why you enjoy (or don't enjoy) them.)
For myself, I like kata with interesting variation in techniques and stances. And interesting combinations or individual techniques with fighting applications which are not immediately obvious. I prefer kata with at least some kicking technique such as a front kick or two thrown in somewhere, and I like a kata that has a good flow, or natural rhythm to its performance when done without a count.
One of my favorites is Ni Sei Shi (Yoshukai), as it has a good variation in rhythm changing from slow tension blocks and double punches at the start to fast snappy knifehand strikes later on. I also like the 180deg shuto strike turning into a cross-leg stance as it allows you to really put some momentum, speed, and power into the strike.
Another favorite is Ro Hai Sho (Yoshukai) as it has a challenging forward-stepping 360deg turning motion (into a block and spearhand strike) which is challenging and takes good balance and footwork to perform well. And more importantly it is one of the few katas that translates well to multiple weapons, as it can be performed both as a regular kata, and with either bo or sai.
I also like kata which emphasize hip-torquing, as being of a slightly smaller build compared to some, it really helps me to develop powerful punches and strikes. Examples for me would be Tenshin (Yoshukai) and Wanchin (Geshinkai), both of which utilize a lot of hip rotation.
So which kata do you enjoy, and why?
