Kata of Wado Ryu

 Ohtsuka sensei thought originally only nine kata; five Pinan kata, Naihance, Kushanku, Sheisan and Chinto. Later also were trained another additional six kata: Bassai, Wanshu, Nisheishi, Rohei, Jion and Jitte.
It is also said that Ohtsuka sensei trained Unsu and Superenpei kata. But this is is a matter of conjecture

Kata training is a very important part of the Wado karate technique and theory. In all Japanese martial arts there are kata. Predecessors created kata through imagination and experiance over a long period of time. Obviously these kata must be trained and practiced, but not in the way that it remains just a ''form". One must use kata to produce new (training)forms with no limit, otherwise kata is useless.
In the end the origin of kata will become a habit, so that it comes alive without hesitation in the appropriate time. 

 

 

Ohtsuka sensei always emphasized the importance that kata would be " alive". He makes the example in his book of differiating Igata and Kata.

Martial arts may never become an "Igata". It is always "Kata". "Kata" is to express, like a mirror does, it changes with every action and situation.

"Igata" is dead and has no purpose. "Kata" is alive and therefor can be utilized.