The word Kata means “shape” or “form”.  The kanji for Kata  型 is composed of the following characters: 形  Katachi  meaning “Shape” 刈  Kai  meaning “Cut” 土  Tsuchi  meaning “Earth” or “Soil” Literally translated, kata means “shape which cuts the ground”. The Kata as we know and practice in Kyokushin Karate trace their origin back to the island of Okinawa. Okinawa is one of a chain of … Continue reading History of Kyokushin Kata