Kata
Matsubayashi-Ryū consist of eighteen Kata. In the earlier days of karate training, it was common practice for a student to spend 2–3 years doing nothing but Naihanchi which was the first kata taught, under the strict observation of the Sensei. Motobu Choki, famous for his youthful brawling, credited the kata with containing all that one needs to know to become a proficient fighter. The last kata, Chatan Yara no Kusanku, is said to take at least ten years to master. This would mean it would take a dedicated karateka sixty one years to master all eighteen kata! Kata are not to be changed. There are infinite Bunkai (applications) but only one kata.
Fukyukata I & II - 普及型
Fukyukata is the name of kata practiced in many styles of Okinawan Karate, particularly Matsubayashi-ryu. There are two Fukyukata. Shoshin Nagamine (Matsubayashi-Ryu) created Fukyukata Ichi and Chojun Miyagi (Goju-Ryu) created Fukyukata Ni, or Gekisai Ichi. They were developed as beginner kata because the more traditional kata were too difficult for beginners.In some styles of karate, the kata are known as Fukyu. In Goju-ryu, the second Fukyukata is referred to as Gekisai ichi.
Pinan I - V - 平安
Pinan are a series of five empty hand forms taught in many karate styles. The Pinan kata originated in Okinawa and were adapted by Anko Itosu from older kata such as Kusanku and Shannan into forms suitable for teaching karate to young students. When Gichin Funakoshi brought karate to Japan, he renamed the kata to Heian, which is translated as "peaceful and calm".
Naihanchi I - III - 内番
Naihanchi (ナイハンチ) (or Naifanchi (ナイファンチ), Tekki (鉄騎)) kata are performed in straddle stance. It translates to 'internal divided conflict'. The form makes use of in-fighting techniques (i.e. tai savaki (whole body movement)) and grappling. In Shorin-Ryu styles including Matsubayashi-Ryu. Naihanchi Shodan was originally the first kata taught before introduction to public and schools which Fukyukata’s & Pinans were created.
Ananku - 阿南空
Ananku kata is from Okinawan Karate. Its history in Okinawan martial art is relatively short in comparison to other kata as it was composed by Choroku Kyan. Its meaning is "Light from the South" or "Peace from the South", as it is thought to originate when Kyan returned from a trip to Taiwan.
Wankan - 王冠 (Okan)
Wankan, (Japanese: "King's Crown" or "Emperor's Crown") (also called Okan) kata is practiced in many styles of Karate. Not much is known about the history of this kata. It originates from the Tomari-te school and in modern karate is practiced in Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Gensei-ryu and Matsubayashi-ryu.
Passai - 石嶺の拔塞
Passai is the Japanese name of a group of kata practiced in different styles of martial arts, including karate and various Korean martial arts (Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Soo Bahk Do). There are several variations of these kata, including Passai sho (minor) and Passai dai (major). In karate, the kata are known as Passai in Okinawan styles and Bassai in Japanese styles.
Gojushiho - 五十四
Gojūshiho (五十四歩 lit. 54 steps) is a kata practiced in karate. In some styles of karate, there are two versions of this kata - Gojūshiho Shō and Gojūshiho Dai. An advantage of the two versions of the kata is to better master the difficult techniques presented therein, but not without facing some confusion, for many sequences are the same and others only slightly different. The embusen of bothGojūshiho Shō and Gojūshiho Dai are nearly identical.
Chinto - 喜屋武の鎮東
Chintō (In Shotokan, Gankaku (岩鶴)) is an advanced kata practiced in many styles of Karate. According to legend, it is named after a Chinese sailor, sometimes referred to as Annan, whose ship crashed on the Okinawan coast. To survive, Chintō stole from the crops of the local people. Matsumura Sōkon, a Karate master and chief bodyguard to the Okinawan king, was sent to defeat Chintō.