Insights
Wado-ryu – The Nine Primary Kata
Although many schools, affiliated with both our own Federation and other Wado organisations around the
world, actively practice many different Kata within their schools. It is important to remember that Ohtsuka
Sensei stressed the importance of, and specifically defined, only nine of the originally sanctioned Butokukai
Kata as being formally recognised within the Wado Ryu style of karate. He regarded all others as 'secondary'.
It is for that reason that the Kata within our syllabus prioritises those nine kata for the Kyu grades, and emphasises the traditional order in which they should be taught: Pinan Nidan, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yodan, Pinan Godan, Ku-Shanku, Nai-hanchi, Seishan, Chinto.
Other ‘introduced’ Kata, in practising order, include: Bassai, Wanshu, Ni-sei-shi, Rohai, Ji-tte, Ji-han, Ji-in, Suparinpei.
It is because the 'extra' 8 Kata are 'secondary' that one finds so many differing versions of the Kata
present within the Wado world today. There is no 'official' Wado standardised version of these Kata, as the
founder himself did not prioritise any importance to them, due to them not possessing the qualities of 'correct'
Wado practise within.
However, British Wadokai will continue ‘standardising’ these extra 8 Kata, as they were
taught to me by various Wado instructors throughout the years. Suzuki Tatsuo (8th Dan) Hanshi taught me
Passai, Wanshu, Ni-sei-shi, Ro-hai, Ji-tte, etc. Additionally, the Technical Director of JKF-Wadokai taught the
‘Wado’ version of Suparinpei, and it will be taught (without change) within the British Wadokai. No matter
how many versions are now available on the Wado ‘market’ today, British Wadokai will not change from the
way the Kata are taught at the BWK Standardisation Courses. So if you want to practise the ‘original’ versions
of these Wado Kata (both the official and advanced) please be present at the next British Wadokai Standardisation
Course Part 1. See Date Section for details.
Gary E Swift Kyoshi