Isshinryu Kata

Students in the Isshinryu system proceed through a number of empty-hand and weapons kata. A kata is simply a prearranged series of movements in which the karate-ka "fights" against imaginary attackers. The applications of kata are many; the analysis of kata and the application of movements within them is called 'bunkai'. Here are the Isshinryu kata in the order they are taught by Kyoshi Cunningham.

Empty-Hand Kata (Kara-te)

Weapon Kata (Kobudo)

Isshinryu karate employs the use of 3 primary weapons: bo (6 ft. long staff), sai (essentially, hand swords), and tonfa (wooden batons). The weapons were common-use implements among Okinawan farmers and could easily pass unnoticed to the prying eyes of ruling classes that had prohibited peasants from carrying weapons. The bo derives from the handle of a farm tool. The sai were used to lift straw or hay. The tonfa were derived from handcranks used to turn millstones.

The first weapon kata, Tokomeni no kun (a bo kata) is taught at Blue or Green belt, though it isn't a requirement for testing until San kyu (3rd brown). The second weapon kata, Kusanku Sai, is taught at Brown belt as a requirement for Shodan testing. Further weapon kata are added as the student progresses through the Dan ranks.

The full complement of weapon kata for Isshinryu karate-do are as follows:

Tokomeni no Kun (1^st Bo)

Kusanku Sai (1^st Sai)

Urashi-bo (2nd Bo)

Tuifa (Tonfa)

Shishi no kun dai (3rd bo)

Chatan-Yara no Sai (2nd Sai)

Urashi no Kon (2^nd Bo)

Chatan Yara no Sai (2^nd Sai)