Gima-Ha view Kata and the study of the Kata no Bunkai as an integral part of our system of learning Karate-Do. Whilst we are not a ‘sport oriented’ group we do support entry into tournaments for those who wish to do so.
Within the UK we tend to enter mostly ‘Ippon Shobu’ events, but as we sometimes compete in Japan we also encourage the study of other styles, and JKF. Our UK judges are Ippon Shobu based as opposed to WKF, therefore we tend to attend Shotokan events.
Whilst many of our Kata are instantly recognisable as Shōtō-Kan there are some differences, subtle in most cases, but exist nonetheless.
SHOTOKAN STANDARD KATA
In keeping with Shōtō-Kan tradition we also practice:
- Taikyoku Shodan
- Heian Shodan
- Heian Nidan
- Heian Sandan
- Heian Yondan
- Heian Gidan
- Tekki Shodan.
- Tekki Nidan.
- Tekki Sandan.
- Bassai Dai.
- Bassai Sho.
- Kanku Dai.
- Kanku Sho.
- Enpi.
- Jion.
- Gankaku.
- Hangetsu.
- Jitte.
- Chinte.
- Sochin.
- Meikyo.
- Jiin.
- Gojushiho Dai.
- Gojushiho Sho.
- Nijushiho.
- Wankan.
- Unsu.
GIMA-HA SPECIFIC KATA
These kata comprise of very basic kata for beginners such as:
- Tenshin Kata
- Tai Sabaki Kata
- Happo Geri Kata
And the specific Koryu (old school) Kata from Yabu, Toyama, or Gima Sensei himself such as:
- Koryu Chinte
- Gima-Ha Gojushiho (GSK Version)
- Koryu Gojushiho (GIKF Version)
- Gima-Ha Ji’in
- Gima-Ha Bassai-Sho
- Gima-Ha Jitte
- Gima-Ha Gankaku
Notably the versions of Chinte, Ji’in, Bassai Sho, Gankaku and Jitte differ from that of the JKA or SKI systems as they are SHOTO-RYU kata as opposed to mainline Shotokan.
KOBUDO KATA
All Gima-Ha Yudansha (Dan grades) are encouraged to learn both Bo (Kon) and Sai Kata, plus Kihon Kumite with the above to augment their ’empty hand’ Karate-do.
It is a requirement on some of our higher Dan grade syllabi.