From the 10 I have learned so far my favs would be: Pinan Godan (Heian Godan) Naihanchi (Tekki Shodan in shotokan, I think) Chinto (Gankaku) Jion Seishan (Hangetsu)
Hey guys, some of those kata names are pretty esoteric to me, but the style of Shorin-Ryu I practice (Shobayashi) is incredibly less popular than the Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu that's all over YouTube and such. Up to the Pinan (Heian) katas there are lots of similarities, but after that... Anyway, out of the 18 katas of our curriculum (mind you I only know the first 15) : 1- Bassai Sho 2- Naihanchin Shodan 3- Hangetsu 4- Niseichi 5- E kata Ippon me (I don't know, there is something incredibly satisfying about nailing the very first kata at the start of a long series) Cheers ! words in italic might not actually represent an accurate description, but you get what I mean.
My favorite four kata and my top four kata are the same--couldn't think of a fifth that I really have great love for (and it's NOT Heian Yondan, unfortunately, which is "my" kata right now): (1) Bassai Dai (2) Hangetsu (3) Unsu ...and for something completely different... (4) Yang 24 (taijiquan). I'm just starting to learn Bassai Dai (a brown belt in my dojo is re-learning it right now, so we're spending some time on it), and I LOVE it. What a great kata. I love the powerful feel, the rotation, etc. Some of it I understand the bunkai, some of it not yet, but that'll come. Someone at my previous dojo was working Hangetsu, and I liked it a lot. The inside-tension stance work was very different, very interesting. I haven't learned Unsu except for going through it a few times, but I love it. Probably my favorite Shotokan kata. I love its explosive dynamic nature, I love those hooking sweeps at the beginning (the sensei at my old dojo ALWAYS used to trip me up by hooking my front leg like that when we sparred), and I love that it's filled with kicks, but kicks I actually like to use (i.e. not yoko keagi! ). The fourth...most Yang taiji practitioners would turn their nose up at the 24 form instead of Chen Manching's 37 form, or especially the 108 long form, but I like the 24 form and I'm tired of apologizing for it. By the way, I definitely think that practicing taiji helps my karate, but that's another thread entirely...
My favourite kata would probably have to be Seiunchin. My top five would have to be: Seiunchin Saifa Sanchin Tensho Bassai Dai Seiunchin: Nice balance of hard and soft techniques, flows nicely. Translation "Attack, Conquer and Supress" Saifa: Short and to the point. Quick powerful movements with no wasted energy. Translation "Destroy and Defeat" says it all Sanchin: Slow and powerful. Tightening of the entire body makes it a great conditioning kata, especially with shime testing. Translation of "Three Battles" refers to the ongoing internal battle between mind, body and spirit Tensho: Slow, powerful techniques disguised as peaceful flowing techniques. Difficult to master and always provides a challenge. Translation of "Turning Palms" suits the kata. Bassai Dai: Very unique kata with a technique for every situation. The translation "To Penetrate a Fortress" suits it well.
I only know Kihon Kata Pinan Nidan Pinan Shodan Pinan Sandan Pinan Yodan Pinan Godan (Just learning this one) I really like Pinan Shodan and Pinan Yodan. They all are different in there own way. I like them all.
Tekki shodan (JKA) Bassai dai (JKA) Hangetsu (JKA) Tensho (GoJu) Bagua zhang Palm changes (Montaigue method)
HANGETSU?! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!!! :ban: edit: looking back over the thread there are far too many people who would keep Hangetsu. That makes this llama very sad.
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A210E22F3853287A Give the Hangetsu a run through to load prop then it plays proper speed, Enjoy.
Finally, ive worked out how to link/embed.. Muhahahaha Im one of those old fashioned types who's only just learnt computers LOL
I'm liking Tensho at the moment. Seems a nice concise set of simple techniques (the inward palm strike is my pre-emptive strike of choice) and looks vaguely Tai Chi-like when you do it. And you can do it in a small place like my conservatory.
Its loaded, I first learnt it in forward stance!! (Kin Bushi Ryu 93) Later on my Shotokan Instructor who also was accomplished in GoJu made adjustments and also taught me Seiunchin. One of the best instructors i have had, After class sometimes way after a handfull of us were still doing Kata. Sensei J.McGreggor of Shindo Karate Assoc. a very sharing individual who gives his all. Woops, im ranting..lol, sorry had to pay my respects to a great Karate-do instructor.
I would have to say in no paticular order my favorite five Kata is: Hangetsu Nijushiho Kanku Dai Kanku Sho Unsu