AFSKC KATA

AMERICAN TRADITIONAL ART KATA

Hanshi Jerry Piddington Performing Kata

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.

Beginner - I or H Patterns
Intermediate - Pine Tree Patterns
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.

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.
Body - to physically interpret the physical applications in a rapid succession.
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	Yellow With Stripe	Right Pivot Form AKANA-1992	Reinforcement of Left Pivot Form characteristics
3	Blue	H-Pattern I AKANA-1992	Directing the Gaze / Turning / Blocking / A gift of Peripheral vision
4	Blue With Stripe	H-Pattern II AKANA-1992	Power (Yin/Yang) / Soft Blocking & Grabbing
5	Purple	Sister American Open Wunsu AOS-1973	Tension & Relaxation (Kime) / Cat Stances
6	Purple With Stripe	H-Pattern III AKANA-1992	Tension & Relaxation (Kime) / Cat Stances
7	Green	Lion Form AKANA-1992	*The center of gravity is always a good lesson. In this form on learns center od gravity without question*
8	Red	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	Brown With Stripe	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 1^st	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 home	The ultimate in AOS kata. It employs all areas of the fighting art.