Shotokan Karate: Advanced Kata, Volume One

Tekki Shodan, also known as Naihanchi, is a very old kata. This kata is particularly useful for developing self-defense against attackers at a close range. The Japan Karate Association requires students to perform the kata Tekki Shodan when testing for the rank of brown belt (3rd kyu). Demonstrated by Anita Bendickson.

This kata turns a disadvantage into an advantage. The kata emphasizes strong hip rotation, U punches, lifting actions. Bassai-dai is typically practice by the brown belt and lower levels of black belt in the Shotokan style of karate. Bassai-dai is also common in other Japanese and Okinawan (called Patsai) karate systems. This kata is essential for the intermediate student of Shotokan Karate.

The kata Kanku-dai is typically practice by the brown belt and lower levels of black belt in the Shotokan style of karate. This kata is also common in other Japanese and Okinawan karate systems. The Heian katas are largely based on Kanku-dai. The kata contains many useful sequences for defending against several attackers at once. The kata is demonstrated by Sensei Joel Ertl.

The kata Empi practices quick changes of direction and it very good for a smaller karate-ka. Empi is typically practice by the brown belt and lower levels of black belt in the Shotokan style of karate. The kata is demonstrated by Joel Ertl.

The kata Jion is kata is very good for large and tall karate-ka. It is typically practiced by the brown belt and lower levels of black belt in the Shotokan style of karate. Jion is demonstrated by Anita Bendickson.