~ Kata Names and Their Literal Translations ~

Ten Nu Kata ~ Ten move kata!

Heian Shodan ~ Heian Kata No. 1 (Dan literally means ‘degree‘)

Heian Nidan ~ Heian Kata No. 2

Heian Sandan ~ Heian Kata No. 3

Heian Yondan ~ Heian Kata No. 4

Heian Godan ~ Heian Kata No. 5

Tekki Shodan ~ Iron Horse No. 1

Tekki Nidan ~ Iron Horse No. 2

Bassai Dai ~ To Storm A Fortress (Major)

Jitte ~ Ten Hands

Empi ~ Flying Swallow (Think of the main sequence in this- some similarities to the name perhaps!)

Hangetsu ~ Half Moon (It’s all in the stance!)

Nijushiho ~ Twenty Four Steps

Tekki Sandan ~ Iron Horse No. 3

Kanku Dai ~ Gazing Skyward (Major) (Triangle Hand Movement)

Chinte ~ Curious Hand

Kanku Sho ~ Gazing Skyward (Minor)

Jion ~ Named after a Chinese Priest / Temple

Gankaku ~ Crane On A Rock

Sochin ~ Preservation Of Peace

Unsu ~ Parting The Clouds

Ji’in ~ Love of Truth

Wankan ~ King’s Crown

Meikyo ~ Bright Mirror

Gojushiho Sho ~ Fifty Four Steps (Minor)

Gojushiho Dai ~ Fifty Four Steps (Major)

 

Heian refers to something uncomplicated and simplistic, a reference to the Chinese greeting “Pi-nan, Pi-nan”, which in turn is derived from the Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times” i.e., may turbulent events happen to you. Further translations of “Pi-nan” are ’to be easy’ or ’to be easily done’.

Emma.