Rainhill Kase Ha Shotokan Karate Academy

Ten No Kata - "Kata of the Heavens"

Ten no kata is a simple training tool created by Gigo Funakoshi giving stability of movement for beginners and is divided into two parts, omote and ura.

Ten no kata omote is more similar to kihon than kata. It consists of ten sets of techniques that can be practiced in very little space:

the first four sets are punching attacks:
- chudan oi tsuki,
- jodan oi tsuki,
- chudan gyaku tsuki; and
- jodan gyaku tsuki,
the following six sets are block/counter-attack combinations; three defences against chudan and three for jodan; and
- are practiced without a partner,
- all moves start from hachiji dachi (natural stance),
- each technique is performed first with the right side and then with the left side,
- every attack and counter-attack must be accompanied by a kiai.

Ten no kata ura really isn't kata at all; it's actually kihon ippon kumite (basic one-step sparring) where the six sets of block/counter manoeuvres from Ten no kata omote are practiced with a partner. The opponent attacks with:

three sets of chudan oi tsuki,
three sets of jodan oi tsuki; and
the defender must then apply the appropriate defence.

Demonstration of Kata

Demonstration of Kata Variations

This kihon variation is simply Ten No Kata with linear movement.

"It is not what you learn that makes you wise, it is what you remember".