PRINCIPLES - TECHNIQUES

kata

I ki ta kata
Kata has to be "alive". With the execution of kata one has to imagine the adverseries. Only then kata will get fighting value and a purpose. Otherwise kata will be nothing more than a kind of dance and thus not a fight and with that not karate.

I nen
I nen stands for " kime, energy, force". Suzuki calls it also the 'power from inside'. This comes from the energypoint under the navel, the Seika Tanden (hara). A kata has to be executed with 'spirit'.

Chikara No Kyoyaku
Kyojaku is synonimus for Goju, hard/soft. Chikara means energy.
Execution of the techniques has to be done with the right exchange of tension and relaxation.

Waza no kankyu
The timing of fast and slow. There has to be an alternation in speed. The exchange of action and no-action, (sei to do), looking (watching), combination of techniques, make the rithm and the caracter of the kata.

Kisoku no donto
The rythm of breathing. The right way of breathing is of great importance for the development of force and stamina, especially in long kata for example Kushanku.

Baransu
One should take care of your balance in kata or in every fight for that matter. But kata itself has to be also in balance in its execution. The balance of breathing, technique, force, speed etc.

Below some added from a post of the forum of www.shitokai.com

Yoi no kisin
Readiness, concentration, will, and determination against opponent before starting kata.

Inyo
Active and passive (i.e. knowing whether you are attacking or defending).

Chikara no kyojaku
Correct method in using power, the amount of power used for each kata movement and position.

Waza no kankyu
Speed used in each kata movement and position.

Tai no shinshoku
the amount of contraction and expansion for each movement.

Kokyo
Breathing, right exhalation and inhalation in each kata movement.

Tya kugan
Look spot, considering the aim and destination of technique.

Kiai - not necessary, in my opinion
Shout, in one or more certain points, shout shows the soul of fight of kata. Additionally, the whole conducted power is released.

Hyoshi
Rythm. Proper accentuation and flow of the movement of kata and each combination of kata.

Kime
Focal point or Focus refers to the concentration of all the energy of the body in the instant a particular technique( blocks, kicks, punches and...)makes contact with its target.

Antei
Balance. Stability, adjusting, figure and using the proper and correct stance in each movement.

Keitai no hoji
Using each technique in its proper place.

Zanshin
Being fully aware, being in guard position at the end of kata. Looking towards the side kata is finished.