Yoseikan Aikido - Techniques - Kata

Kata

Below is a list of Yoseikan Aikido Kata, and the techniques in them.

Solo kata;

Happo Ken no Kata: Form of Eight Fists

The Happo Ken no Kata contains the fundamental striking and blocking techniques. Originally, the kata was made up of the following movements; 1) soto yoko uke, 2) hiji ate, 3) gedan barai, 4) gedan tsuki, 5) soto barai, 6) chudan tsuki, 7) gedan tsuki uke, 8) jodan tsuki age. The modern version of happo ken has two differences; 4) kubi uchi, 8) hiji ago tsuki age. The kata is said to have come from Shorinji Kempo, which Mochizuki studied while in Mongolia.

Keri Yon Ho no Kata: Form of Four Kicks

The Keri Yon Ho no Kata compliments the happo ken, in that it teaches the basic kicking techniques. The kata contains the following movements; 1) mae geri, 2) yoko geri, 3) ushiro geri, 4) mawashi geri. An older version of the kata, call San Bo Geri no Kata, contains only the first three kicks. Another version of the kata, Keri Go Ho no Kata. also includes; 5) ushiro mawashi geri.

Paired kata (attacker and defender);

Ken Tai Ichi no Kata: Form of Sword and Body as One (sword attack - sword defence; sword attack - sword taking; attack - defence)
- Tsuki - Maki Uchi Kote; Tsuki - Hiji Kudaki; Oitsuki - Hiji Kudaki
- Kote Uchi - Hari Gaeshi Kote Uchi; Kote Giri - Kote Kudaki; Dosoku Katate Dori - Kote Kudaki
- Tsuki - Kubi Suri Komi; Tsuki - Mukae Daoshi; Oitsuki - Mukae Daoshi
- Kubi Giri - Kote Age Kata Uchi; Kubi Giri - Tenbin Nage; Yokomen Uchi - Tenbin Nage
- Maki Uchi Men - Suri Age Do Uchi Ushiro Kata Uchi; Maki Uchi Men - Shiho Nage; Shomen Uchi - Shiho Nage

The Ken Tai Ichi no Kata illustrates the idea that aikido is based on Muto Ryu Kenjutsu. The first part of the five techniques, sword verses sword, demonstrates the kenjutsu form. The second part, sword taking, shows what Mochizuki refers to as the jujutsu forms. Finally, the empty hand techniques are the aikido forms.

Jutsuri no Kata: Forms of Soft Catch (attack - defence)
- Mae Ryote Dori - Do Gaeshi
- Eri Dori Yokomen Uchi - Hachi Mawashi
- Ushiro Kubi Jime Kata Te Dori - Tenbin Nage
- Mae Kumi Tsuki - Kata Ha Otoshi
- Tsuhari - Hazu Oshi Sutemi

Taisabaki no Kata: Forms of Body Movement (body movement - inside or outside - technique)
- Nagashi - Soto - Hiki Otoshi
- Nagashi - Uchi - Kubi Otoshi
- Hiraki - Soto - Waki Tori
- Hiraki - Uchi - Hiza Oshi Taoshi
- Irimi - Soto - Mukae Daoshi
- Irimi - Uchi - Ko Uchi Gari
- Irimi Senkai - Soto - O Soto Gari
- Irimi Senkai - Uchi - Kata Guruma
- O Irimi Senkai - O Irimi Senkai Ude Domoe

The Taisabaki no Kata demonstrates the use of body movement, with the judo principles of kuzushi (unbalancing), tsukuri (positioning), and gake (throwing). The kata shows how these principles relate to the aikido techniques performed.

Hyori no Kata: Form of Escapes and Counters
- Eri Dori Yokomen Uchi
- Ushiro Kubi Jime Kata Te Dori
- Yuki Chigai
- Hiji Kudaki
- Robuse
- Do Gaeshi
- Gyaku Tsuki
- Shiho Nage
- Tenbin Nage
- Mukae Daoshi
- Kata Ha Otoshi
- Kata Guruma

The Hyori no Kata (lit. Form of Front and Back) demonstrates counter techniques, which have been removed from some aikido schools. The rolls of attacker and defender are continuously being changed. The first attacker, performing eri dori yokomen uchi, escapes the second attack, ushiro kubi jime kata te dori, with yuki chigai. The switching of rolls continues through the kata until the final technique, were the initial defender escapes kata ha otoshi to finally throw the attacker with kata garuma.