Ji'in Kata

What is Kata?

In Karate, kata is a sequence of moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. Kata is not a performance or a demonstration, but is for individual karateka to practice full techniques– with every technique potentially a killing blow (ikken hisatsu), while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm).

The standard kata in (Shotokan) Karate are:

Ji'in Dai Kata

This kata was one of only two not included in the ‘Best Karate’ series by M. Nakayama, the series widely recognised as the definitive kata reference. The reason for this is not truly known, although there have been many theories for why they were not included. Nonetheless, the kata is still widely practiced by many associations.

The origins of the kata are not fully known, although it was at one stage unsuccessfully named Shokyo. This kata shares its Yoi position with Jion and Jitte, and the symbolic significance of the gesture also applies here.

This kata, despite no longer being recognised by many associations, does have many instructional qualities that are of much value to any karateka.

At one stage in the kata, the practitioner will spin twice in kiba-dachi then step for the third count. To do this effectively requires much skill, and to effectively do so requires development of balance and co-ordination.

This is a very powerful kata, and although not as flashy as many of the other katas, it is of high value to all karateka.