Purple Belt
PURPLE: 4TH KYU: YONKYU (四級)
KATAS:
- Taichi Kata
- Hiji Ate Go Ho
Mandatory Kata (Forms):
- Matsukaze (松風)
- Bassai Dai (拔 塞 大)
Tokui Kata (Optional): (One from each Cat.)
- Juni No Kata (1-4)
- Heian Kata (1-5)
Kenwa Mabuni
Matsukaze (松風) Kata – “Wind in the Pines”
Matsukaze (松風), meaning “Wind in the Pines”, is a traditional karate kata originating from Kosaku Matsumora of the Tomari-te school in Okinawa. Originally known as Wankan, this kata was renamed Matsukaze by Master Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu Karate.
Considered an intermediate-level kata in Shito-Ryu, Matsukaze combines offensive and defensive techniques, often performed simultaneously in a single fluid motion. The kata emphasizes continuous forward movement, reflecting the philosophy of driving an opponent backward or holding one’s ground with strength and determination.
The name “Wind in the Pines” symbolizes resilience and adaptability, much like a pine tree that endures fierce winds on a mountainside without breaking. Matsukaze teaches karateka to remain steady, flexible, and composed even in challenging situations, embodying the balance of strength and grace in both mind and body.
Kosaku Matsumora
Bassai Dai (拔塞大) Kata – “To Breach a Fortress”
Bassai Dai (拔塞大) translates to “To Breach a Fortress”, symbolizing the act of breaking through an opponent’s defenses with relentless determination. This powerful kata originates from the Shuri-te tradition, specifically from the teachings of Master Anko Itosu, and is known for its combination of fundamental attack and defense techniques performed in a continuous flow.
Bassai Dai embodies force, resilience, and unwavering spirit, reflecting the intensity needed to capture an enemy stronghold. The kata emphasizes dynamic movements, including Kakete (grasping techniques), low kicks targeting the opponent’s knee, and repeated strikes to the same target, all executed with precision and strength. Practicing Bassai Dai helps develop explosive power, focus, and the mental fortitude required to overcome obstacles in both training and real-life confrontations. This kata is a testament to the importance of perseverance and strength in karate, teaching practitioners to push forward with confidence and resolve.
KIHONS:
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques):
- Zenkutsu Dachi (moving forward & backward with the same set of techniques)
- Gedanbarai Uke, Gyaku Zuki ➡ Yoko Uke, Gyaku Zuki ➡ Yoko Uchi Uke, Gyaku Zuki ➡ Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki
- Moto Dachi (moving forward & backward with the same set of techniques)
- Oi Mae Geri, Gyaku Zuki ➡ Oi Mawashi Geri, Gyaku Zuki ➡ Oi Yoko Geri, Gyaku Zuki
- Oi Zuki, Gedanbarai Uke ➡ Oi Zuki, Yoko Uke ➡ Oi Zuki, Age Uke ➡ Oi Zuki, Yoko Uchi Uke
- Seiko Dachi (moving forward & backward with the same set of techniques)
- Shuto Gedanbarai Uke ➡ Shift to Zenkutsu Dachi & Gyaku Zuki
- Shuto Gedanbarai Uke ➡ Kage Zuki
- Nekoashi Dachi (moving forward & backward with the same set of techniques)
- Shuto Uke ➡ Shift to Moto Dachi & Gyaku Zuki
- Shuto Uke ➡ Mae Geri ➡ Shuto Uke
- Sanchin Dachi (moving forward & backward with the same set of techniques)
- Mawashi Uke
- Kakete Uke (Shuri-te, Naha-te, & Tomari-te)
Tenshin-Hippo Renzoku Waza (8 Direction Combination Techniques):
- Hachiji Dachi Dachi
- Migi➡ Zenkutsu Dachi, Gedanbarai Uke➡ Shift to Moto Dachi & Gyaku Zuki
- Hidari➡ Zenkutsu Dachi, Yoko Uke➡ Shift to Moto Dachi & Gyaku Zuki
- Mae➡ Zenkutsu Dachi, Yoko Uchi Uke➡ Shift to Moto Dachi & Gyaku Zuki
- Ato➡ Zenkutsu Dachi, Age Uke➡ Shift to Moto Dachi & Gyaku Zuki
Tenpogosoku Renzoku Waza (8 Direction Combination Techniques):
- Moto Dachi – Standing on Moto Dachi Chudan Kamae
- Deashi➡
- Hikiashi➡
- Yoriashi➡
- Mawariashi➡
- Tobiashi➡
KUMITE:
Yakusoku Kihon Kumite or Kihon Ippon Kumite (Pre-arranged basic sparring):
Standing on Moto Dachi Chudan Kamae
- Gedanbari, Gyaku Zuki
- Yoko Uke, Gyaku Zuki
- Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki
Kumite Waza (Sparring Techniques):
- Yuriashi Mae Te Zuki (Chudan)
- Yuriashi Gyaku Zuki (Chudan)
- Yuriashi Mae Te Zuki (Jodan) and Gyaku Zuki (Chudan)
- Oi Zuki (Jodan) and Gyaku Zuki (Chudan)
- Oi Mae Geri (Front Kick To Stomach), Mae Te Zuki, Gyaku Zuki
- Oi Mawashi Geri, Mae Te Zuki (Jodan), Gyaku Zuki (Chudan)
KIHONS TERMINOLOGY:
Students must be familiar with the following terminology:
DACHI (Stances)
- Heisoku Dachi
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Hachiji Dachi
- Uchi-Hachiji Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Moto Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Nekoashi Dachi
- Kosa Dachi
- Kokutsu Dachi
- Uke Ashi Dachi
- Sagi Ashi Dachi
UKE (Blocks)
- Gedanbarai UKe
- Yoko Uke
- Age Uke
- Yoko Uchi Uke
- Shuto Uke
- Hiji Sase Uke
- Otoshi Uke
- Shuto Gedanbarai
- Doji Uke
- Yoko Barai Uke
- Hiji Uke
- Kote Uke
- Kosa Uke
- Sukui Uke
- Kaishu Kosa Uke
- Kakete Uke
- Kaishu Yoko Uke
- Morote Sotai
- Oshai Uke
- Morote Yoko Uke
- Nagashi Uke
TSUKI (Punches)
- Chuko Zuki
- Oi Zuki
- Gyaku Zuki
- Mae Te Zuki
- Kage Zuki
- Morote Zuki
KERI (Kicks)
- Mae Geri
- Mawashi Geri
- Yoko Geri
- Ushiro Geri
- Hiji Geri
- Maeken Zuki Geri
UCHI (Strike)
- Nukute
- Otoshi Uchi
- Tetsui Uchi
- Uraken Uchi
- Ushiro Hiji Ate
GENERAL TERMINOLOGIES
- Dojo ➡ Place of way (used as training hall)
- Osu ➡ Push forward (used as a greeting)
- DoGi ➡ Karate Uniform (we call Gi only in Western countries)
- Obi ➡ Belt
- Seiza ➡ Proper way of setting
- Rei ➡ Bow
- Kristru ➡ Stand up
- Nawate ➡ Attention
- Hajime ➡ Start
- Yame ➡ Stop
- Shihan ➡ Master Instructor
- Sensei ➡ One Who comes before (used as Instructor/Teacher)
- Senpai ➡ Senior
- Kohai ➡ Junior
- Sugo ➡ Line up
- Mae ➡ Front
- Ato ➡ Back
- Hidari ➡ Left
- Migi ➡ Right
- Mukso ➡ Clear One’s Mind (Meditate)
NUMBER COUNTING
- Ichi (一)➡ One
- Ni (二)➡ Two
- San (三)➡ Three
- Shi (四)➡ Four
- Go (五)➡ Five
- Roku (六)➡ Six
- Shichi (七)➡ Seven
- Hachi (八)➡ Eight
- Ku (九)➡ Nine
- Ju (十)➡ Ten