The Traditional Kobudo Kata of Okinawa

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The Original Kobudo of Okinawa

Ryu Kyu Kobudo Recognized Kata:

List of Kata

  • Sakugawa-no-kon sho and dai
  • Shushi-no-kon sho and dai
  • Choun-no-kon Urasoe-no-kon
  • Tsuken Sunakake-no-kon
  • Yonegawa-no-kon Chatanyara-no-kon
  • Chinen Shichanaka-no-kon
  • Sesoko-no-kon
  • Soeishi-no-kon
  • Shirotaru-no-kon
  • Tsuken [Cheeken] Shitahaku-no-sai
  • Chatanyara-no-sai
  • Hamahiga-no-sai
  • Hantagawa-no-sai
  • Jigen-no-sai
  • Tawada-no-sai
  • Kojo-no-sai
  • Yakaa-no-sai
  • Yakaa-no-tunfa
  • Hamahiga-no-tunfa
  • Suruchin Nichokama
  • Maezato no Tinbe
  • Maezato no Tekko
  • Maezato no Nunchaku
  • Akimine no Sai
  • Recognized Kata of Okinawan Kobudo Bo (kun)

  • tokumine no kun
  • chikin sunaka no kun
  • sakugawa no kun
  • ufugushiku no kun
  • shushi no kun
  • chikin (tsuken) no kun
  • shoshi no kun
  • chikin dai kun
  • urashi no kun
  • rufa no kun
  • chikin bo
  • shiromatsu no kun
  • yonegawa no kun
  • shirotarou no kun
  • chatanyara no kun
  • kobo no kun
  • chinen shichanaka no kun
  • katin no kun
  • sesoko no kun
  • choun no kun
  • shishi no kun
  • hasso no kun
  • shirotaru no kun
  • ufutun bo
  • shukumine no kunRecognize Okinawa Kobudo "SAI" Kata
  • chatanyara no sai
  • sai2(aka kuniyoshi dai ni)
  • hamagiga no sai
  • sai 3 (aka kuniyoshi dai san)
  • chikin (tsuken) shitahaku no sai
  • ufuchiku no sai
  • hatagawa kuraguwa no sai
  • tokuyama no sai
  • tawada no sai
  • ishiguwa (ishikawa) no sai
  • kugusoku no sai
  • shinbaru no sai
  • yakaa no sai
  • nicho sai (aka matayoshi no sai ichi)
  • sai 1 (aka kuniyoshi dai ichi)
  • sancho sai (aka matayoshi no sai ni)

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    There are many Kobudo kata that may have been lost to time due to lack of students, where as the most prominent Kobudo schools prevailed. The most popular styles of Okinawan Kobudo are Kenshin Ryu, Matayoshi Ryu, Motobu Ryu, Ryukyu Kempo, Okinawan kempo, Ufuchiku, Yamanni, and Tesshinkan.

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    To understand Kata, one must understand the creation of Kata and it's purpose. Kata is a method of unspoken teaching, of the rudimentary movements to use in battle. It is a preparation of teaching syllabus to develop dynamic techniques that can be recalled by rote memory or reflex, and equip the practitioner with life saving movements. The kata were created from the teachings of those whom had survived battles, mainly the 100 year war in Okinawa during the 15th-16th century amongst rivaling RyuKyuan Kings.