AMERICAN TRADITIONAL ART KATA
 

Hanshi Jerry Piddington Performing Kata

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9th Dan Black Belt                  

Katas are the mainstay of the style or system under which you study.  From the beginning of time,  masters have formulated systems of combat, and developed ways of practicing these systems which evolved into prearranged forms now know as Katas. These systems , or katas, were handed down from family to family in secret for many years.  Without katas, it would be very difficult to learn technical movements correctly and to under-stand what they are and what they mean. 90% of all movements are simple to interpret.  The other 10 percent are hidden or secret movements  The American Open Style Karate includes three basic patterns or pathways of kata varying in degree of difficulty as rank progresses.  All kata patterns terminate at their original starting positions.

  1. Beginner - I or H Patterns
  2. Intermediate - Pine Tree Patterns
  3. Advanced - Straight Line or Star Patterns

KATA must be practiced in three steps: fusing the mind, body, and spirit, in order to bring each kata to life with its own personality and characteristics.

  1. Mind - to perform the kata and achieve perfect physical coordination(mastery of the form).  This should lead to a "mental and Physical awareness and understanding" in addition to a physical Capability.
  2. Body - to physically interpret the physical applications in a rapid succession.
  3. Spirit - to mentally interpret each movement (bunkai) with an opponent verbally and perform without thought or no mind (Mushin).

Ten Empty Hand Kata are required for Black Belt Level in the Traditional Art Form of the American Open Style Karate under the American Shorei/ Shorin Karatedo

  BELT KATA CHARACTERISTICS

1

Yellow Left Pivot Form
AKANA-1992		 Forward Stances / Stepping / Pivoting /  Gives Students absolute directional impulse

2

Gold Right Pivot Form
AKANA-1992		 Reinforcement of Left Pivot Form characteristics

3

Orange H-Pattern I AKANA-1992 Directing the Gaze / Turning / Blocking / A gift of Peripheral vision

4

Green H-Pattern II AKANA-1992 Power (Yin/Yang)  / Soft Blocking & Grabbing

5

Blue Sister American Open Wunsu AOS-1973 Tension & Relaxation (Kime) / Cat Stances

6

 Purple H-Pattern III AKANA-1992 Tension & Relaxation (Kime) / Cat Stances

7

 

Red

 Lion Form AKANA-1992 The center of gravity is always a good lesson. In this form on learns center od gravity without question

8

Brother American Open Anaku AOS-1973 Quick / Sharp / Pivoting / Shifting / Soft and hard / Horse stance

9

 

Brown

Swift as the Deer AKANA-1992 Balance in directional change is essential for combative energy. More specific the counter attack.

10

 San-chin "The Root of all Okinawan Karatedo" The ultimate in standing zen practice. Breath Kata(ref. The pinnacle of karate for more info)

11

Black 1st Side Pattern-I American Open Naihanchi-sho AOS-1973 Fighting in a confined space defending right, left, & front, but never from the back / Blocking and counter-attack.

12

 Black Bassai AOS-1985 Timing impulse / Reflex action / Mind to Body telegramming.

13

 Black Field Form AOS-1973 Balance / Directional changes /Counter attacking

14

 Black Side Pattern II American Open Naihanchi-ni AOS-1973 See Naihanchi-sho

15

Black Empi Sho Kime power. The understanding of maximum explosion at point of impact. Striking perfection exercise.

16

Black Go Pei Sho Wing like strikes and clawing/ripping attacks / simultaneous blocking & striking.

17

 Black Dan Enn Sho Eagle Neck Blocking / Dropping / One Leg Pivoting / Broken Rhythm / Soft & Fluid Transitions

18

 Black Sun & Moon AOS-1973

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 The ultimate in AOS kata. It employs all areas of the fighting art.

 
 
 
 

Dojo Kun:

 
  1. Karate is not only dojo training.
  2. Don't forget that Karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow.
  3. In Karate, never attack first.
  4. One who practices Karate must follow the way of justice
  5. First you must know yourself. Then you can know others.
  6. Spiritual development is paramount; technical skills are merely means to the end.
  7. You must release your mind
  8. Misfortune comes out of laziness.
  9. Karate is a lifelong training.
  10. Put Karate into everything you do.
  11. Karate is like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly it will again become cold.
  12. Do not think you have to win. Think that you do not have to lose.
  13. Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.
  14. Move according to your opponent.
  15. Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords.
  16. When you leave home, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you.
  17. Ready position for beginners and natural position for advanced students.
  18. Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another.
  19. Do not forget (1)strength and weakness of power, (2)expansion and contraction of the body, (3)slowness and speed of techniques.
  20. Devise at all times.

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