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)
Seisan
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku demonstrates Seisan kata
Cunningham Isshinryu students Keith and Daniel Webb Perform Seisan kata (March 2016)
Seiunchin
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku demonstrates Seiunchin kata.
Naihanchin
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku demonstrates Naihanchi kata.
Wansu
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku demonstrates Wansu kata.
Chinto
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku demonstrates Chinto kata. Apologies for the poor video quality.
Kusanku
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku demonstrates Kusanku kata. Apologies for the poor video quality.
Sanchin
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku demonstrates Sanchin kata.
Sunsu
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku demonstrates Sunsu kata.
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 (1st Bo)
Kusanku Sai (1st Sai)
Urashi-bo (2nd Bo)
Tuifa (Tonfa)
Shishi no kun dai (3rd bo)
Chatan-Yara no Sai (2nd Sai)
Kyoshi Cunningham demonstrating tuifa kata
Urashi no Kon (2nd Bo)
Chatan Yara no Sai (2nd Sai)
ShiShi no Kon Dai (3rd Bo)
Kyoshi Cunningham demonstrating Shishi no Kon Dai