TEN NO KATA
It is generally accepted that Ten no Kata was created by Gigo Funakoshi as a simple training tool for beginners. Ten refers to "sky," "heaven," or "universe." The kata is usually translated as "Kata of the Universe," or "Kata of the Heavens," giving it an almost divine quality since perfection of basic technique has always been the ultimate goal of Shotokan karateka. Ten no Kata requires very little space and can be practiced almost anywhere by karateka of any age. It is not a kata in the traditional sense. It is divided into two parts, Omote (front) and Ura (back). Ten no Kata Omote is more similar to kihon than kata. It consists of ten sets of techniques. The first four sets are punching attacks: chudan-oi-zuki, jodan-oi-zuki, chudan-gyaku-zuki, and jodan-gyaku-zuki. The following six sets are block/counter-attack combinations; three defenses against chudan and three for jodan. As with any kata, Ten no Kata Omote is practiced without a partner. All moves start from hachiji-dachi (natural stance). Each technique is performed first with the right side and then with the left side. Every attack and counter-attack must be accompanied by a kiai. Some instructors teach to kiai when blocking as well.
Ten no Kata Ura really isn't kata at all; it's actually kihon-ippon-kumite (basic one-step sparring). The six sets of block/counter maneuvers from Ten no Kata Omote are practiced with a partner. The opponent attacks with three sets of chudan-oi-zuki (remember to do both sides) and three sets of jodan-oi-zuki. The defender must then apply the appropriate defense.
The Ten no Kata reviewed on this website was taken from Gichin Funakoshi's book Karate-Do Nyumon. In his description of Omote, Funakoshi says to use the fudo-dachi stance for many of the blocks. However, when viewing the photos that accompany the book, this is clearly not the case as the karateka is obviously doing zenkutsu-dachi (or even kokutsu-dachi). Therefore, the chart below offers both options. Conforming to standard kihon-ippon-kumite requirements, any instructors who still teach Ten no Kata (and there aren't many of them) will usually use the zenkutsu-dachi rather than fudo-dachi. Since present day Shotokan karateka practice kihon and kihon-ippon-kumite regularly, Ten no Kata has become quite obsolete.
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|
Technique
|
Translation
|
Stance
|
Target
|
Notes
|
1*
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
2*
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
|
3*
|
gyaku-zuki
|
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
(or fudo-dachi)
|
chudan
|
|
4*
|
gyaku-zuki
|
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
(or fudo-dachi)
|
jodan
|
|
5*
|
gedan-barai &
gyaku-zuki
|
down block &
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
(or fudo-dachi)
|
gedan
chudan
|
|
6*
|
uchi-uke &
gyaku-zuki
|
inside block &
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
(or fudo-dachi)
|
chudan
chudan
|
|
7*
|
shuto-uke &
shihon-tate-nukite
|
knife-hand block &
4-finger vertical spear-hand
|
kokutsu-dachi
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
chudan
|
|
8*
|
shuto-barai &
gyaku-zuki
|
knife-hand sweep &
reverse punch
|
kokutsu-dachi(fudo)
zenkutsu-dachi
|
jodan
jodan
|
|
9*
|
age-uke &
gyaku-zuki
|
rising block &
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
(or fudo-dachi)
|
jodan
chudan
|
|
10*
|
kentsui-uchi (soto-uke) &
gyaku-zuki
|
hammer-fist(outside block) &
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
(or fudo-dachi)
|
jodan
chudan
|
