You're Practicing Karate Katas In The WRONG Order!

[@KarateDojowaKu]

What was the first kata you ever practiced❓ 🥋FREE TRIAL｜Online Group Lesson🥋 Program Details: karateintokyo.com/ Any questions or concerns? → Email me at [e-mail] I relieve my pain & soar with this massage gun! hey.hydragun.com/Yusuke Thank you for always enjoying our videos! I really appreciate it if you could support the channel🙏 www.paypal.com/paypalme/karateintokyo

[@espartaco34]

pinan nidan - wado ryu (heian shodan)

[@tonygallagher6989]

Ananku.

[@martinmfmflores8585]

Wado ryu Pinan shodan was my first kata. Greetings from mexico 😎🙏 Osu!!!

[@brawlerboi_4468]

Please react to daidojuku karate (kudo)

[@sapper168]

Pinan Shodan. 1st style was Shudokan.

[@JAnth51]

Another thought: some styles have what they refer to as their "mother" kata. Shimabukuro of Seibukan teaches Seisan as the first kata. This is surely a more difficult kata than some that follow (Ananku, Wanshu). But Seisan is their mother kata. Students perform it at every testing, and the sensei can watch and decide, yes that's what a white belt should look like, or that's what a black belt should look like. The mother kata is a touchstone and becomes a gauge of the student's progress.

[@mcmmike21]

I learned seisan from Sensei Edward Takae. I haven’t been to a class since my youth but the muscle memory is still there and at 46 I can still do it without thinking

[@ramonlijauco7563]

Seisan seems to focus a lot on "breathing" and the generation of "ki". That , perhaps, is why they put a lot of attention to it. :)

[@Wessex90]

Taikyoku was my very first Kata (at my club, we simply call it the “Kihon Kata” and only learnt of it’s actual name recently lol) and also Heian Shodan. I performed both for my first grading.

[@spike6809]

Taikyoku shodan, Ten no kata, then Taikyoku nidan & sandan

[@gagequinn2845]

I believe the name 'Kihon Kata' was first coined by the late Sensei Bob Poynton. I imagine you're from the UK? I've not talked to anyone outside of the UK who call it 'Kihon Kata'

[@Wessex90]

@@gagequinn2845 Yes I live in the U.K. Well that explains a lot! I was always told it was a more recent thing. Thanks for the explanation 😁

[@victorribeiro2431]

@@gagequinn2845 Almost any JKA Dojo in Brazil.

[@gagequinn2845]

@@Wessex90 what association? I'm guessing KUGB?

[@efroymson]

Heian Shodan was definitely the first one I learned the order of. I also practiced it this morning! According to Tsutomu Ohshima, in his book "Notes on Training", Heian Shodan is an old, old kata, maybe 1500 years old, from China.

[@ramonlijauco7563]

The Heian katas were a revision of the older Pinan katas. It is taught that Anko Itosu developed the Pinan katas from the movements in Kusanku (Dai and Sho). Its the Kusanku katas that are thought to have been brought to Ryukyu by a Chinese traveller.

[@barrettokarate]

The first kata that I learned was "Giecho Hyung Il Bu", which Shotokan stylist will recognize as "Taikyoku Shodan" (even though Moo Duk Kwan people claim that Hwang Kee created it). In Tang Soo Do, the order of their Pyong-an (Heian/Pinan) forms is the same order as Shotokan's Heian, since...Tang Soo Do comes from Shotokan courtesy of Won Kuk Lee.

[@620ronin]

Thanks for your candor. You are absolutely correct. Some Tang Soo Do practitioners do not know the truth.

[@SenseiMaharaj]

Great video Sensei! 👍 I am practicing and teaching Wadōryu. We practice Kihon as our first Kata and follow by Pinan Nidan. You're videos are great. Especially you focus on history and facts which helps the students those who practice this beautiful art as the form of budō. I focus alot on the history part of budō in my teaching. Especially whenever I teach a new Kata, I share the history with my students. Hence, your videos are connected to the topics, so I can strongly recommend my students to watch. My stories and your great visuals in the video gives them benifit also makes it easy to understand about the history and the purpose of practicing budō. Arigatou gozaimasu my friend! Peace and harmony, Sensei Maharaj 😊

[@dexterjosefamata9083]

Here are my thoughts: 1. All of the other Karate Styles that practice Heian/Pinan did not switch Heian/Pinan Sho Dan and Heian/Pinan Ni Dan. However, in our association (by the way, I practice Shito Ryu Karate), we teach Heian/Pinan Ni Dan (the original) first and then followed by Heian/Pinan Sho Dan (the original). 2. Then, I agree to the notion of learning the Simpler Katas first before going to the more Advanced and more Complicated Katas. However, it is best if the White Belts should learn the Kihon/Juu Ni/Taikyoku/Gekisai Kata Series first before learning Heian/Pinan or Fukyu in order to learn Mind and Body Coordination first before moving onto the more advanced Kata. Also, learning the Kihon/Juu Ni/Taikyoku/Gekisai Kata could also help develop the application of the basics (Kihon) into Kata as well as to help develop the form into the Kata. PS: By the way, the first Kata that I learned is Juu Ni No Kata Ichi.

[@dexterjosefamata9083]

@@stanclark3992 Because it's simpler than Heian/Pinan Sho Dan.

[@lampi1908]

My first kata was Taikyoku Shodan, it felt really good to do it! This is my first year doing Shotokan Karate, I started in August of last year, and it changed a lot of things for me. I'm really happy doing Karate! Greetings from Argentina!

[@FredKuneDo]

In Kyokushin we had "Taikyoku Sono Ichi" and "Taikyoku Sono Ni" as the first Kata. Aside from the "ichi"- and "Ni"-numbering, I just call them both the "first Kata", because these two are the same simplified Kata only consisting of doing "Oi Zuki" and "Gedan Barai" while moving in Zenkutsu Dachi". The difference is only the aim of the punch, which is in Taikyoku Sono Ichi to the upper body, but in Taikyoku Sono Ni to the head. On the question about "simplified beginner Kata" versus "sticking only to the original ones": Well, the obvious reason for the simplified Katas in some styles and Dojos is to start learning Kata earlier and easier. When I teach a simplified Kata, like this "Taikyoku Sono Ichi" which is even easier than the first Kata in Shotokan, I need to show only 2 techniques, "Oi Zuki" and "Gedan Barai" and 1 stance, Zenkutsu Dachi and how to move with it. This helps a student to practice the Kata early on alone as "homework", because he or she has less moves to remember. When the more complicated Katas are coming, he or she has allready a better "memory practice experience", than someone who starts with a too complicated Kata first.

[@kyokushinsociety]

Osu

[@garryho08]

Osu, Yasuke-San! Our dojo starts with Heian Shodan, but my first Sensei started me off with Taikyoku Shodan, Taikyoku Nidan, Taikyoku Sandan, and Ten-no-Kata. In my humble opinion, I think it’s helpful and useful to learn less difficult kata, and then build up from there. I find that the Heian kata are very instructional, and even after becoming more experienced, I think returning to them holds value - it allows a more advanced karateka to focus on certain aspects… maybe one or just a couple at a time. Also, ‘just wanted to say that I really enjoy your videos. Please keep them coming! Osu!

[@pawned79]

Hello. I am a gokyu in USEWF Wado Ryu in the USA. My dojo has been closed for COVID-19 for over a year. I have gotten into YT researching and have come across your videos, and I like them. Thank you for the combination of history and technique.

[@troposphincter]

Strangely in Kyokushin we kept the name "Pinan" but with Shotokan's order. So Kyokushin "Pinan sono ichi" corresponds to Heian Shodan or Pinan Nidan.

[@zl1gee]

Osu!

[@UriahChristensen]

My style does the same thing. Not sure why, though.

[@KarateDojowaKu]

That's interesting!

[@Lee7676]

mas oyama sosai is korean so he want to keep korean words in kyokushin.korean pronunciation is pyung-An

[@UriahChristensen]

@@Lee7676 Yes he was Korean. The movie "Fighter in the Wind" is a Korean film about him. I have seen it several times.

[@photographywebernorbert6143]

Very good video. Thank you for sharing ‼️

[@christophmau440]

Iain Abernethy sensei from the UK has some really awesome thoughts on the pinan Kata series. His specialty is bunkai and application of Kata. In his DVD series 'pinan fighting system' he shows some awesome structured applications. Each pinan Kata has its own focus. Pinan shodan is for example for controlling the limbs while pinan yondan is more for close combat. If you don't know him already you might like to check him out ;)

[@KamenRider1]

Sensei Iain is a very cool guy with very good insight. He's one of my inspirations in training. 🥋🙏❤️

[@richarddionne4732]

I'm also a follower of Abernethy sensei. I agree with his insight about the Heian/pinan switch. Itostu's order is based on the self-defense principle being taught while Funakushi's change was based on the ease of learning. It makes sense. Also, the Pinan were not intended for traditional karate-ka, but was a self-defense system for public school students. .

[@karatearmchairhistorian9825]

Interestingly, Bruce Clayton in his controversial Shotokan's Secret (expanded edition) makes a similar claim. He writes that all of the Heian kata were designed with a different purpose in mind: Pinan Shodan/Heian Nidan was a battle against a sword; Pinan Nidan/Heian Shodan was for a general fight against an unarmed enemy; Heian Sandan was a close combat kata against a belligerent drunk, etc. I take his findings with a grain of salt, but they are interesting nonetheless.

[@nickramos8376]

We do 12-Point blocking kata, Pinan 1-7 and then Naihanchi Shodan, Ananku and Bassai Sho. Passai, Nijushiho, Wanshu, Kusanku and others are taught after. Our style is called Zenseikai Do and in English - Universal Karate (as we are taught that all styles or schools are just variations on a theme, and looking at the history of Toudi and how it became Karate, everybody trained and shared knowledge long before "schools" were established). BTW, I LOVE your videos for sharing knowledge and exposing us to other ways of looking at bunkai, tatemai and omote and thus learning even more.

[@hitchhiker4272]

I practice Goju-Ryu. First katas were sanchin and gekisai dai ichi. Thank you for your great content!

[@karatearmchairhistorian9825]

This is a well researched and produced film! I thought about this issue for a long time, and finally realized that the key to understanding the Heians/Pinans lies not figuring why Funakoshi decided to change the order of the first two kata, but why Itosu decided to teach them in the original order in the first place. There are a number of possibilities why, but the ones I find most intriguing are that he thought that while the techniques in Heian Shodan were necessary to learn many students would become too bored if taught it first, so he decided to teach a more "interesting" kata first. The second intriguing reason is that the Pinans/Heians are Channan kata slightly modified and split into parts, and that Channan was taught in that order. While the second one has potential, it is also weak as we know that many Heian techniques are taken from mid-level kata, such as Kanku-Dai especially. Anyway, great channel.

[@helyperaza1387]

When I started back in Venezuela in ‘84, the first shotokan kata I learned was Taikyoku shodan followed by Taikyoku nidan. このレッスンはありがとうございました。

[@Naraku1987]

Doubt more and more if it's a compliment to be called the father of modern karate. Very nice video as always!

[@josenieto8032]

Thanks so much Sensei for this history of my Karate Sport Ossssss I am black belt from Venezuela 🇻🇪, and I have 57 years old, my wife is black belt 54 years old and my youngest son too 16 years old

[@scottishsithphotoygraphy]

I come from a Shito ryu base, and this is the order of my Dojo method. 9th Kyu (White Belt Black Stripe) Gekisai Dai Ichi. 8th Kyu (Yellow Belt) Gekisai Dai Ni. 7th Kyu (Orange Belt) Pinan Nidan 6th Kyu (Green Belt) Pinan Shodan 5th Kyu (Blue Belt) Pinan Sandan 4th Kyu (Purple Belt) Pinan Yondan 3rd Kyu (Brown Belt) Pinan Godan 2nd Kyu (Brown Belt Red Stripe) Naihanchi 1st Kyu (Brown Belt Black Stripe) Sanchin. 1st Dan (Black Belt) Bassai Dai.

[@yuhtanizawa7686]

Well I practice Shotokan Karate just like you and the very first kata that I learned was the Heian Shodan. I know that the Heian Katas originally didn´t exist but I think it is a good preparation for the more difficult Katas after all 👍!

[@willalves21]

Awesome and useful history and information 👏

[@nikalangner]

Konichiwa Yusuke-San! Greetings from Shito-Ryu practitioner !

[@alfiefelix7968]

Heian Shodan, naturally, was my first.

[@ainako255]

a lot of shotokan practitioners I've come across who comment are quick to call out other stylists for doing it in the "wrong" order when they follow the original.

[@mykaratejournal2120]

Ours is a small traditional Shotokan dojo where we learn Taikyoku Shodan as our first kata. We do so because we believe it captures the essence of our art of self defense in its simplest form. It's stripped of any and all complications while still embodying the core concepts (eg. defense before offense, receive and give, ball of thorns, one-strike-one-kill, peripheral vision...)

[@robertonunez1085]

My first kata was Pinan Nidan, I practise the Kenshukai style karate-do founded by Kinjo Hiroshi, my Sensei here in Rosario Argentine is Sensei Gerard Pimentel student of Kinjo.Thank you very much for your tips !!.

[@richardguerra3605]

I trained in Soryu karate from Alvarado Sensei in 1966. Toyama Hanshi was the Sensei of Michio Koyasu founder of SORYU Karate we first learned the 5 pinan. Later kushanku sho and Kushanku Dai. I am now almost 73 years old. Teaching Soryu Karate in Austin Texas. I am Richard Guerra. 7 Dan.

[@MrGichinfunakoshi]

In Shotokan there are 5 Kata Groups: Group 1 Shitei Kata: Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Gondan, Tekki Shodan. Group 2 Sentei Kata: Tekki Nidan, Basai Dai, Kanku Dai, Empi, Jion. Group 3 Tokui Kata: Tekki Sandan, Jutte, Gankaku, Kanku Sho. Nijushiho. Group 4 Tokui Kata: Hangetsu, Bassai Sho, Sinte, Sochin, Unsu. Group 5 Tokui Kata: Gojushijo Sho, Gojushijo Dai, Meikyo, Wankan, Jiin

[@jimenahar]

Hi! I practice Karate Shotokan both in Argentina and Brasil, the first kata I learned was Heian Shodan when I was 8 years old (1994!). Great vídeo! Domo arigato!

[@rahulchannan6794]

I started shotokan karate in October of 2000 under the jka when I was 12. My first kata was heian shodan. I tested for my shodan in 2004 under sensei yaguchi, who recently passed away. I teach the beginners now and we still teach the beginners starting with heian shodan.

[@Abraxass88]

Hi Yosuke-san! I practice Shotokan in Italy (i'am a 2° kyu blue belt), from the organization of Hiroshi Shirai-sensei. We start from Takyoku shodan and we actually have a Takyoku bunkai, developed by Shirai-sensei a belive, who actually bring togather application from all Takyokus (from Shodan to Godan). We don't practice all takyokus, just shodan and then stright to Heians. Also interesting, a belive, it's the order of how we study sentei's: after Tekki-shodan the order is: Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku dai. This trhee are requiriment for shodan black belt. I'am really fascinated with not just differences within styles but, also, between organizations. Oss!

[@raymondhaskins8204]

I myself do a series of kata for exercise. I never thought it may be in order or not. It does not matter to me the order I follow. I practice both Shorin Ryu (Matsumura Kenpo) and the Shotokan katas 1 - 5 and Tekke 1 - 2 and Paisai katas. Along with 6 weapons forms. 3 baton 1 kali style and 2 staff forms short and long staff or Jo and Bo if you want. Medium impact speed for health. Works for me. Thanks for all the great videos. Be well, my friend.

[@سيدسيد-ص3م4ب]

Cool work sir 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Jaxdp65]

I do sonaghm taekwondo been practicing for 20 years in this art love it so much that I’m teaching young kids in my Community

[@WiiMan25]

My first karate school taught an American style called Shorei-Goju, and we started with the kata "Pinan 1" (yeah, we just had them numbered in English. Pinan One, Pinan Two, etc). It was just like Heian Shodan, but during the 4th movement (the tettsui-uchi after the 2nd gedan barai uke), you back up into nekoashi-dachi, THEN step forward into zenkutsu-dachi and do a forward tettsui-uchi at jodan. Then in the karate club I was in in university, it was So-ryu karate, which is more along the lines of Okinawan than Japanese, and we started with Taikyoku Shodan (though our school called it "Taikyoku Sho"). But beginners would already learn the likes of Naihanchi and Ananku (our version of this was very similar to how it's done in Matsubayashi-ryu).

[@kurtsimonson6157]

Re: first kata. In the 1990's I studied Tae Kwon Do. My instructor, who was Korean, never taught us the names of kata until the more advanced, and black belt, kata. From white belt to brown belt, he simply called the kata, "low form" 1-3, and then "high form" 1-5 as we advanced in belt rank. His "low form 1" was chun-gi. After a 20 year hiatus, I am back taking karate, and my new dojo also taught chun-ji as their white belt kata.

[@prvtthd401]

I think we could leave the basic katas in as a training tool, but we should strive to learn kata(s) that reflects our own expression of karate (or inspires us to do so). I honestly find it pointless to randomly stack up as many katas as possible. When the masters developed their katas, it was THEIR kata, but does not necesarily has to be YOURS.

[@amhawk8742]

Love this comment. After getting my shodan in shotokan, I realised that alot of the movements of the Kata are repeated. I began creating my own Kata that takes the most unique/repeated movements in the heian, naihanchi, Bassai, kanku, series as well as in from ananku, seisan, fukyu, wansu, & empi. Needless to say, it's very long. Most would consider it a Kata only to be practiced by black belts, but when I open my own dojo, it will be the only traditional style kata I teach.

[@amhawk8742]

I won't teach the other traditional Kata's so that I can focus more on bunkai & sparring

[@cahallo5964]

@@amhawk8742 What if you get an student that wants to compete in katas? would you teach him the other traditional katas or you'll just kick him out?

[@TimWillie]

In our system, you have to create your own Kata for your Shodan test as part of your test as well as the Bunkai for it.

[@TimWillie]

@@stanclark3992 why what?

[@patdawg143]

When I started learning Shorin Ryu as a child I learned Fukyu Kata Ichi first. Now, as an adult, I’m a student of Goju Ryu and Gekisai Dai Ichi is the first kata. However, every class starts with Sanchin Kata after warmups so technically I learned Sanchin first.

[@georgefoley9793]

I am a student of Goju Ryu as well, but at the dojo I practice at, we have to learn the 5 Taikyoku katas (Gedan, Jodan, Chudan, Mawashi Uke, and Kake Uke) before taking on the Gekisai Dai (Ichi / Ni).

[@waltercarillo8916]

i had a similar experience. Shorin first, kihon, naihanchi series then pinan and so forth. Then i went to goju which suited me better. Starting tensho, sanchin, gekisai and so forth

[@georgefoley9793]

@@waltercarillo8916 Interesting, I suppose every dojo decides its own order of how to teach katas. I am a newbie at Goju Ryu, but I've had previous experience with Kyukushin. In the latter, Taikyoku and Pinan katas were taught first, and now I am practicing Taikyoku Gedan for my rist belt test tomorrow; then 4 more Taikyoku katas before moving on to Gekisai Dai (Ichi / Ni). Sanchin, Tensho, and others are all later in the curriculum. Although I was told that before Sanchin was one of the first to be taught and heavily practiced as well. Now, the dojo is emphasizing sparring much more than before, and thus, the basic kihon, stances, and combinations take prioriry for all beginner level belts.

[@dwightdhansen]

I train in Sherman Harrill lineage Isshin Ryu We have 3 dojo katas that are the first learned. H Pattern Stance drill (basically kihon from H pattern) Tachi (has lots of little sequences from the more advances katas) Then it's the standard Isshin Ryu katas: Seisan Seiunchin Naihanchi Wansū Sanchin Chinto Kusanku Sunsu

[@alfredochavezv]

My first kata was Pinan Nidan, followed by Shodan, Sandan, Yondan & Godan. To me, it doesn't really matter if we use Shotokan order or some other. What matters to me is that, in Chinese kung fu, masters transmitted their knowledge along with the forms. As one's understanding and mastery of the art advanced, more advanced forms were revealed, leaving some of these reserved only to the top students, effectively equating knowledge of all the forms to the domain over of all the style. In karate, however, katas often become a choreographed exercise in memorization and coordination, completely disjointed of any practical application of the techniques. I've been there myself, and I've known people who does karate for years without having any idea of what those kata mean or having some kindergarten grade explanation handed to them by their sensei, along with the promise that "one day you'll understand".

[@tokyo333]

I have had 3 main teachers so far - first teacher taught me Seisan as the first Kata; second teacher taught me Sanchin as the first Kata; and third teacher taught me Naifanchi as the first Kata.

[@arod2104]

When I first started practicing Shotokan Karate, I have come from practicing Tae Kwon Do from age 5 to 12. They started teaching me the Heian series. Later on to help me improve my Karate techniques, the Sensei started teaching me the Ten No Kata Omote and Ten No Kata Ura. And later they thought me Taikyoku shodan. The Sensei now days teaches, Ten No Kata Omote and Ten No Kata Ura. Then Taikyoku shodan, followed by the Heian Series. Then he moves on to other Kata.

[@ericsmadis]

Originally karate was taught privately, between a master and usually only one or two students. That allowed the study more advanced kata, and to take time to understand, practice and apply the movements. Also, masters did not teach just anyone. Usually a student was introduced to the master through a respected contact, and the student was motivated to learn. In modern classes, teaching had to be organized and standardized to maintain quality and instill proper spirit. By the mid-1930s, as classes got larger and anyone could enroll, the need for even more basic kata (kihon kata, taikyoku, etc.) became apparent. Gigo Funakoshi's taikyoku kata, which were first found in print in the appendix of the 1941 printing of Karate-do Kyohan, became the model for tangsoodo's first three forms: kiecho hyung (kihon kata) 1-3, which Hwang Kee developed in 1947.

[@darinsmith9468]

In Isshin-ryu, the order of learning usually goes: (1) Seisan, (2) Seiunchin, (3) Naihanchi (sho), (4) Wansu, (5) Chinto, (6) Sanchin, (7) Kusanku, (8) Sunsu In my case, Sanchin was introduced after Wansu. When to introduce Sanchin is at the discretion of the teacher. Some schools add some earlier basic kata like Fukyugata before Seisan--it is an individual dojo's decision--if this is done, it is usually for children's classes. Kobudo kata are introduced beginning about the same time as learning Chinto and usually in the order (1) Tokumine no kun, (2) Kusanku Sai, (3) Urashi bo, (4) Hama Higa no Tuifa, (5) Chatan Yara no Sai, (6) Shishi no Kun The order of Kobudo kata is highly irregular from one dojo to the next, but the 1st bo kata is usually Tokumine no kun and the 1st sai kata is usually Kusanku sai. There is only one tuifa (tonfa) kata officially included in the curriculum. Some dojo still practice Kyan no Sai--an interesting kata that requires 3 sai. This was learned from Kyan Chotoku and was replaced later by Kusanku sai, which was Shimabuku Tatsuo's re-working of Kusanku to include use of sai. Sunsu and many of the kobudo kata are generally occurring around Sho-dan and later. Depending on the dojo, yudansha may also study non-Isshinryu kata as personal discovery--typically other Shorin kata like Rohai; or more kobudo kata including other weapons like nunchaku, kama, or eiku. Isshin-ryu's Wansu has an additional set of techniques that were added by Shimabuku sensei. Our Kusanku is of the Chatan Yara variety. Sunsu started out as Shimabuku sensei's personal dojo kata (pre-dating the naming of Isshin-ryu, when they were calling it Chan Mi Gwa Te), that he formalized into the system. After many years, it has been accepted officially as a "kata of Okinawa". There is at least one Shorin-ryu lineage that has included Sunsu, as it traces back to Kaneshi Eiko--a student of Shimabuku's who reverted to Shorin-ryu (Nagamine Shoshin organization) when Shimabuku decided to create Isshin-ryu. Kaneshi sensei taught Sunsu as a tribute to Shimabuku sensei.

[@chillout1109]

My first kata was Heian Shodan, with JKA Shotokan some 32 years ago. I'm still with JKA Shotokan to this day.

[@JosephKerr27]

For Matsubayashi-ryu, we teach Ananku after Fukyugata but before Pinan kata. We also follow Funakoshi's example by teaching Pinan Nidan before Pinan Shodan (yes, 2 before 1) because it's a more gradual learning curve. We are always in search of better ways to help others reach the top of the mountain.

[@MrSpeed00411]

The Heinan order change spread to Tang Soo Do. Also within TSD the order of the Chil Sung forms were changed over time because #2 is easier to teach than #1. The Chil Sungs are from the late 70s.

[@soundmind2555]

I am a nidan with over 14 years of training in Kuniba Ha Shito-Ryu. The order of kata taught is up to the soke and individual shihan or sensei of each dojo. But each karateka begins with Go Ho No Uke, which is actually a waza of the five basic moves. Perhaps the very first kata would then be Go Uke Ni. Then we learn (in order), Shi Ho No Ho, Ten No, Chi No, and Ji No. The five Heians are next. According to my karate and iaijutsu senseis, both Japanese and Okinawan systems introduce the basic kihon and build on them. However, the Japanese way is to expose students quickly to more advanced techniques, (take it all in and find your way), while Okinawans traditionally master a kihon or kata before moving on to the next step.

[@jrharbar]

While training my father's Shotokan style, we started with Taikyoku katas, when all 4 katas are done with no less than posture errors you continue with the Heian katas you can start practicing more advanced katas. but to get our green belt we must perform all 7 Taikyoku katas. it was a bit more difficult but a very fun process.

[@vagnerbeneditopiccinatto5577]

Tankyu Sensei Nagano.

[@RobotRyRy]

My dojo is part of SKA (shotokan karate of America) and we learn according to the Gichin Funakoshi’s book, Karate Do Kyohan. I started out with taikyoku shodan since it’s the first kata of the book. I haven’t tested yet but in order to do that we have to go down to San Diego to test at Oshima Sensei’s dojo which I like because it makes us focus on digging deep and really learning rather than trying to get colorful belts every few months or so.

[@DarkPhoenixTSi]

In the Ryukyu Hon Kenpo (Odo Seikichi's style) dojo, I learned the Naihanchi (Shodan and Nidan) first. In Chung Do Kwan TKD, we learned Pyung Ahn Cho-Dan (Pinan Shodan) and Pyung Ahn Ee-Dan (Pinan Nidan). In ITF we started with Chon-Ji Tul.

[@Thunderwolf666]

The first Kata in JKA-E shotokan is Kihon, which is the same as Taikyoku Shodan. Then we move onto Heian Shodan. While I think it's important to start off with the basic kata (so that you can develop your skills gradually and apply them in context), I always love watching my sensei perform the "easy" katas, because his movements and form are so spot on - I think even something like Heian Shodan while being an "easy" kata in terms of the moves made, can be extremely difficult to perfect in terms of hip movement, foot positioning etc. So even after Learning Tekki Shodan, Bassai Dai and Empi katas, I STILL go back to the heians in order to try and perfect my form.

[@PhilDancer]

I think we should combine pairs of Katas into one Kata so instead of 9th Kyu to 1st Kyu, it could be 5th Kyu to 1st Kyu. Colours: White - Red - Blue - Brown - Purple - Black. Makes it simpler and gradings can be more challenging meaning students must work hard for their belts. I also found many katas to be too short so combining would make them a good length.

[@ajshiro3957]

In my school, we practice 9 different forms. The catch is that it's one form broken up due to the length. As we go further, we learn more. Once we learn the last part, we put it all together. Then we learn other forms as black belts

[@bratacus3]

Starting at age 14 in Isshinryu, Seisan was the first kata I learned. At age 18, having been stationed at MCAS Iwakuni with the Marine Corps, I changed over to Shotokan. Heian Shodan was the first kata I learned there.

[@mituc]

I believe that the means of learning and teaching karate improved along with the evolution of the art, and indeed teaching less complex katas first will help students become acquainted with the forms, principles and learn how to gain control of their bodies - the later I believe is the hardest to master and the most important aspect (of day to day life, not necessarily martial art or fighting system) at the same time. And indeed in Shotokan the Heian Shodan is less complex than Heian Nidan, so in the same spirit of learning/teaching the basics first I think this was an acceptable change of the initial order. The Taikyoku series remove even more of the complexity, apart from the fact that they are longer than the Kihon exercises I think they are even less complex from the technique standpoint.

[@josemanuelsimonmurciego6198]

My first Kata was Heian Shodan in Shotokan. Greetings from Spain.

[@karatechickadee]

The first kata you learn in Goju Ryu is either kihon kata ichi or Sanchin. Sanchin is the first old style kata you learn, while kihon kata ichi is the first kata you learn that is a beginner kata and to be.

[@TimWillie]

The first kata we learn is Kihon Kata. It is super basic, and after seeing a comment it might go by a different name. Then we learn Piano Shodan. After Shodan it depends on which cycle were in, but we then learn either Pinan Nidan or Pinan Sandan. Pinan Yodan is usually next and Pinan Godan last for the basic Katas or what we learn prior to 3rd Kyu.

[@n_s_352]

Yeah, learning an easy one is helpful. The goal is to learn the separate bunkai self defense application a la McCarthy, Abernethy and the like. At the end of the day, it depends what one wants from practicing Karate. Just like some people do boxing for fitness, others want to dig deeper and discover who they truly are.

[@dion1582]

In my system, Ryu Te renmei (formerly Rykyu Kempo, Oyata lineage) The Naihanchi katas were the first one learned. Followed by Tomari Seisan, the Pinan katas, Passai, Kusanku, Niseishi. But I studied Shotokan when I was a youngster

[@IQzminus2]

I believe some of the styles that don’t have Pinan/Heian Katas instead focus a lot of katas like Seishan and Naihanchi. I think they are great examples of katas that are easier to teach at many different skill levels. Doing them well takes a lot of skill, but you can teach someone to do it mostly okay who isn’t very physically strong yet or developed a lot of body control. And the movements, turns. Are relatively straight forward. And there are a lot of valuable core concepts and techniques to be thought by learning those katas. But I think it makes sense that the Pinan/Heian Katas are broken up and simplified steps of (to a large degree) the kata Kushanku/Kanku-dai. And from my experience, spending all those years with the Pinan katas really made it easier to do Kushanku. Still a very physically demanding kata. I think it’s a smart way to make techniques and concepts from Kushanku be able to be thought to beginners. Because I would never in a million years try to teach a complete new beginner kushanku as their first kata. Idk I haven’t tried, maybe it would work. But my gut instinct says it’s seems like a bad idea.

[@pallan7733]

We learned Heian Shodan (Nidan in other ryus). Later, we taught Taikyuko first before Heian. However, my sensei used to say that there are no advanced katas, there are advanced practitioners. One time, Ochi sensei had sandan level and up do a kata before a camp. We expected an 'advanced' kata. We got Heian Shodan.

[@LazarSoljaga]

My first Kata was Hean Shodan. Im getting back in to Karate as soon as the clubs reopen.

[@elvisthegamecollector7053]

I was a stude t of Shotokan when I was a child from 7-14 (got to 1st Dan Black belt at age 10), first kata was Kiohn Kata, white belt kata.

[@garyspencer1954]

The first kata, in the system I train in, is Seisan kata. I've studied karate for forty years, but the first kata I was taught was Heian shodan, because before finding Okinawan karate I trained in Shotokan in the seventies.

[@KaoRB]

Oss sensei! Greetings from Brazil! First of all I would like to say your videos are awesome and help me a lot on my Karate practicing. Here in Brazil I practice Shotokan from JKA and we start with taikyoku Shodan! OSS

[@zyx7478]

To answer Your question if somebody was to learn the older Katas first without ever learning the newer simplified Codice it could still happen. Mini Kung Fu systems will start somebody out with the intermediate form then a beginner form then later on he advanced form the human spirit does allow people to adjust to learning new things it doesn’t necessarily have to be contained in a standardize syllabus

[@abhimanyu6244]

I learnt my 1st Kata Tekiko(or Taikuoku) Shodan in Okinawa Karate

[@Mrthreadedtime]

In Uechi Ryu, my first Kata is Sanchin. In Shito Ryu, the first Kata is Pinan Nidan (Shotokan's Heian Shodan)

[@jamealjordon1376]

Currently, at my Shotokan dojo, it is kihon kata: Taikyoku Shodan, then traditional kata, Heian Shodan. Then Taikyoku Nidan, and then Heian Nidan, and so on and so forth. Before the pandemic, I was in Tangsoodo with the Geicho / Keecho and Pyung Ahn hyungs.

[@nobodyspecial2835]

Thank you. You're awesome. Please keep ot up. We love your videos.

[@alwaystraining54]

In my teachers school of Okinawa Kenpo (I came in as a shodan from another system) we typically learn the kata in a “broken” order. Example would be: Naihanchi shodan, then Pinan Nidan, then Wansu, then back to Naihanchi Nidan, etc. This allows students to hopefully see the connection between the kata, to see the relative similarities and differences in how the applications within can be represented. I have personal opinions now being 3rd Dan in Okinawa Kenpo, that I don’t really feel Pinan kata are necessary having learned Kusanku…so while I still occasionally practice the Pinan kata in my own time/workouts, I do it more for my beginner students’ benefit. There are tremendously good/violent applications to be found in the Pinan kata, as in Kusanku, so their merit cannot be discounted, even if they are more or less looked at as “beginner” kata.

[@bartomiejweglarz8069]

most clubs in Poland, in Shotokan, order is : Taikioku (shodan, nidan, sandan), heian, teki, and rest:)

[@ArashiDojos]

The first kata we teach is Taikyoku Shodan. We do Shito-Ryu and Goju-Ryu. We call them Heian but we do them in the original order and use Neko Datchi still. I come from the Shogo Kuniba lineage of Shito-Ryu line who he called them Heians. He had also trained with Funikoshi Sensei and received his San Dan from Funikoshi.

[@rreith]

As a kid I did Taekwondo and we started with Palgue 1. As an adult, I am an Isshinryu practitioner so my first kata was Seisan.

[@derekstillmunks2076]

1st kata we learned was Taikyoku Shodan, then moved onto the Heian katas, then Tekki katas and so on

[@bigmack612000]

My first Okinawan Kenpo Kata was Heian Sandan

[@greenmonk]

Shudokan here and I learned pinan nidan as my first kata after learning and practicing kihon for the first few months.

[@mburns1210]

I’m Shorin-ryu Seibukan, we learn Seisan kata first. Sometimes you learn Fyuku Ichi or Wansu first, it depends.

[@sabby88888888]

Seisan in Isshin-ryu as well

[@dmfaccount1272]

Seisan first? Wow that's a blackbelt level kata in goju

[@johnhanley9946]

It seems that what most people call "traditional" karate is really a modern interpretation. My first kata was Sanchin kata. I don't practice it anymore, for the past few years I've been focusing on only two kata, Kusanku Dai and Chinto.

[@karlatkin01]

My first kata was kihon which looking back was beyond easy but the big turn gave me sleepless nights before grading 🤣😂 it’s all part of the journey

[@danskarate997]

Heian shodan was my first kata there is still so much to learn, even at black belt.

[@garysongchowpeng4591]

My first kata is Heian Shodan. It's ok to learn kata from any heian but the important point is how much understanding and the meaning of those kata. From a simple kata can do a lot of things.

[@UriahChristensen]

My style uses Pinan. However, we kept the Shotokan order. Kyokushin also does the Pinans in the Shotokan order. My first Kata I had ever learned was a short 3 step kata, and I cannot remember the name. I was around 10 years old when I was taught it. I have only seen it in some Shorin-Ryu videos. You basically step forward 3 times with an attack, and then back 3 times with a block. It was easily able to become a partner drill, where the aggressor atacks forward while the other defends while moving back.

[@user-er8le9hn6v]

Started in Goju Ryu with Taikyoko series, then gekisai dai ichi, gekisai dai ni, followed by Sanchin. Switched to Shotokan, went taikyoko shodan, heian series, Basai Dai, Jion, Enpi

[@donelmore2540]

In 1966, I started Shotokan at the college I was attending. I think we only trained 2 days a week (could have been 3). Anyway, we beginners only got 15-20 minutes of Kata per week. Unfortunately, we started with Taikyoku Shodan. None of us could remember it. Every week, Henry, one of the teachers, would yell at us to practice at home. LOL, none of us could remember it well enough to practice it later. It’s the same damned things in every direction. Years later, when I had my own students and Dojo, I would NEVER teach that Kata to students until they already knew a couple of other Kata. Heian Shodan is easier to remember as a beginner as there are different techniques in different directions.

[@niwamura]

Masutatsu Oyama, (the founder of Kyokushinkai), changed the names of the Heian kata back to Pinan. But he kept the order of the Heian kata. So Heian shodan became Pinan sono ichi (or shodan) in Kyokushin, and Heian nidan became Pinan sono ni (or nidan) in Kyokushin.

[@iancuevas7407]

In Taekwondo my first poomsae was Chon-ji. In karate it was Taikyoku.

[@maddmann]

me too just chon ji dan gun do son yull gulk won yo .......moun moon...

[@EternalRoman]

Aside the obvious Kihon no Kata, my first Kata in Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu was Junzuki ‎No ‎Tsukkomi, then Pinan Nidan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Yondan, Pinan Godan though after the Pinan Nidan the other Kata were given as part of the other belts, sometimes 2 for each along the more complex Kata.

[@Dunha13]

Here in Brazil, at Shorin ryu Shinshukan school, we practice "naihanchi shodan" and "fukyo gata ichi" as the first ones.

[@maxwellhamzah7483]

I practice sanchin as my first kata, but it seems to me sanchin is more warming up and cooling down exercise. The REAL first kata, to me, is Naihanchi (shodan). Enough complexity in movements but practical to remember & perform in confined space.

[@priusblackheart6772]

Good thing in our style Freestyle Karate, we have our own Katas

[@mgoodman2302]

Shotokan back in the '80's still (in some dojos) did the Taikyoku. I haven't practiced them since the 90's. Of course, now I do the Uechi katas.

[@davidyoung745]

When I began in Isshinryu, we started with Seisan, then Seiunchin, followed by Naihanchi and Kusanku.

[@raichu4797]

I started practicing in Shotokan Karate in United States and began with Heian Shodan!

[@jcarbajal7348]

Order of Kata's that I learned: First being Naihanchi Shodan/Nidan/Sandan. Pinan Shodan/Nidan/Sandan/Yondan/Godan. Wansu/Ananku/Seisan/NeiSeiShi/Passei Dai/Sunsu/Goju shiho Chu/Chinto/Kusan Ku Dai. Additionally we did Hakatsuryu/Koru Gojushiho/ & I have yet to get to Seipai.