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Comparative floor-pattern diagram labelled Heian-Pinan Shodan

Pinan Shodan

Pinan Shodan is the first-named Pinan kata in several Karate traditions and is historically related to, but not universally identical with, Heian Shodan.

Gōjū-ryū instructor teaching a group of karate practitioners

Gekisai Dai Ichi

Gekisai Dai Ichi is a modern Gōjū-ryū introductory kata associated with Chōjun Miyagi, with technical details varying among branches.

Historical photograph of Funakoshi Gichin performing Kankū

Kankū Dai

Kankū Dai is a major Shotokan kata related to the wider Kūshankū family, with organisation-specific counts, rhythm and technical detail.

Diagram of a Wadō-ryū Seishan-dachi stance

Seisan

Seisan is a widely transmitted Karate kata name covering distinct Gōjū-ryū, Uechi-ryū, Wadō and other versions rather than one universal sequence.

Illustration of a karate practitioner in a wide laterally oriented stance

Naihanchi Shodan

Naihanchi Shodan is a lateral-pattern Okinawan Karate kata related to, but not universally identical with, Shotokan Tekki Shodan.

Competitor performing kata at the 2026 European Karate Championships

Bassai Dai

Bassai Dai is a widely transmitted Karate kata whose Shotokan, Shitō-ryū and other versions share a name but not one fixed performance.

Karate practitioner performing a Sanchin posture indoors

Sanchin

Sanchin is a central kata in several Naha-linked and Uechi-ryū traditions, with distinct versions of posture, breathing and tension.

Diagram of a Heian Shodan floor pattern with directional arrows

Heian Shodan

Heian Shodan is the first-named Heian kata in many Shotokan syllabuses, but sequence, count and teaching emphasis remain organisation-specific.

Jigoro Kano and Sumiyuki Kotani demonstrating a Judo technique in London in 1933

Japanese Martial Arts Lineage Map

A selective visual map connecting classical Jujutsu, Kodokan Judo, Aikido, Okinawan Karate, and later international grappling pathways.