List of Kyokushin Katas (Beginner & Advanced)

This page provides free videos & instructions for Kyokushin katas. It will help you to prepare for your next Kyokushin Karate belt test. To master these Kyokushin Karate katas, you will also have to learn basic Kyokushin stances. In order to pass your belt tests, many Kyokushin schools also require that you know the meanings of Kyokushin kata. Please check with your Sensei/Instructor regarding your required kata movements as some Kyokushin Karate schools use slightly different kata formats. In addition, a number of Kyokushin Karate schools have their kata in different orders/sequences based on the preference of the school’s Sensei and system. For information on the katas of other Karate styles (i.e. Shotokan katas), please visit the main Katas & Forms section.

Instructional BooksMartial Arts Books

List of Kyokushin Karate Katas – includes videos and/or written instructions

Kyokushin Ura Katas – Ura katas are very similar to the same-named non-ura Kyokushin katas (i.e. Taikyoku Sono Ichi). However, ura katas contain spins when turning.

Kyokushin Bo Katas – These katas use a Bo staff.

Reasons for Kata

Many Karate schools use kata in order to help students practice certain moves (i.e. kicking techniquesself-defense techniques and various strikes). In addition, kata is used to improve a student’s physical conditioning, muscle memory, focus/concentration, balance, etc. Kyokushin practitioners also believe that kata allows students to internalize offense and defensive techniques in the subconscious and “what was once memorized is now spontaneous”. You should also read the Black Belt Wiki section on Is Kata Useful or Useless? as it discusses the pros & cons of kata.

Kyokushin Kata & Mas Oyama

The founder of Kyokushin Karate, Mas Oyama, believed that kihon, kata and kumite were the “language” and building blocks of Karate. He thought that kihon (basics) could be thought of as the “letters of the alphabet”, kata (forms) was equivalent to “words and sentences”, and the kumite (sparring) was “analogous to conversations”. Therefore, students needed to learn kihon and kata in order to be successful at kumite.

Kyokushin Technique – Wheel Kick

Kyokushin Katas - Picture of a Kyokushin wheel kick being used during a sparring competition

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons via its Creative Commons license

References

  1. United States Kyokushin Karate, Kata, http://uskyokushin.com/kata.htm
  2. Kyokushin Karate Scotland, Kata Grading List, http://www.kyokushin-scotland.co.uk/Kyokushin%20Karate%20Scotland%20Kata.html
  3. Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, Name of the Kata, http://www.masutatsuoyama.com/en/home/terminology.htm