Isshinryu Karate

Kata Overview
Distilled

I find the memorization of facts to be senseless: history is not about regurgitating data, but the critical analysis of data. To this end, I have captured the "interesting" information about katas: from where did it come from? Who is it named after? When and where did they live? What is notable about them? What is notable about the kata?

There are many more excellent questions, of course, for more serious students of history, which I am not.

H-Pattern Kata

H-Pattern is not a "real" Isshinryu kata per se.
It is an elementary kata that demonstrates various elements of katas.

Seisan Kata

First kata of Isshinryu; comes from Shorin-ryu.
Emphasizes straight-forward stance, straight kicks, and rapid techniques.
Named after Seisan, who lived in Okinawa during 16th and 17th centuries.
Seisan was considered the "eighth wonder of the world" due to his power and ability.

Seiuchin Kata

From Gojo-ryu.
Uses reinforced blocks and punches; it is a "breathing" kata; it has six attackers.
Named after Seiuchin, a Chinese artist, who lived during 15th and 16th centuries.
Seiuchin was supposedly incredibly strong.

Wansu Kata

From Shorin-ryu.
Emphasizes use of left and right arm punches; for this reason, it is called the Strong Arm Form. It is also called the 'dumping kata' because of the throws it uses. Tatsuo Shimabuku later referred to the kata as the Dragon Boy or Dumping Form.
The kata was brought into Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese man named Wansu. It was then reformed and developed later by karateka around the Tomari village. The kata was composed in 1695, and is also known as Ansu, Unsu, and Unshu.
(No mention of Wansu's abilities.)

Nai Hanchi Kata

From Shorin-Ryu.
Designed for fighting against a wall or narrow bridge. It is also called the Missing Enemy Form. It uses the Iron Horse stance and fake kicks to mimic leg sweeps. The most important and significant distinction of nai hanchi kata is the training of the lower part of the body through slow and steady sideward movements with maximum strength.
Unclear when the kata was originally developed and by who.
Unknown what Nai Hanchi refers to.

Chinto Kata

From Shorin-ryu.
Supposedly emphasizes pivot action, "dynamic techniques" like flying kicks, and "unitary techniques of offense and defense".
Not known when the kata was originally developed and by who.
Not known who/what Chinto is.

Toko-Mini-Nokun Kata

Unknown what style it derives from.
Uses both sides of the body and emphasizes basic strikes and blocks/parries.
Named after Tokomine Kun, the kata's creator; date unknown.

Sanchin Kata

No background available.

Kusan-Ku Kata

Unknown if from Shorin-ryu or Gojo-ryu. Apparently the most magnificent and advanced kata of Matsubayashi-ryu; relevance unknown.
This kata is designed for fighting in the dark, and emphasizes speedy movements of a man surrounded by eight attackers.
Whether this is named after a master called Kou Shan Kou or a Chinese karateka called Kusan-Ku is unclear. Kusan-Ku brought the kata to Okinawa in 1761.
The first part of the kata is known as "my heart is as big as the moon". Why, or the motivation behind this, is unknown.
Apparently the most advanced techniques of offense and defense appear in this kata, and was the favorite kata of Chotoku Kyan who learned it from Yara.

Sunsu Kata

Sunsu, "strong man," was the nickname of Tatsuo Shimabuku, and thus the kata is named after him.
This kata combines the movements from the other katas, using movements Shimabuku thought were the best. What differentiated these techniques is unknown.