KOSHIKI NO KATA (Prearranged Antique Forms)
Many old techniques were preserved by Dr. Kano. One of these techniques were from the Kito-Ryo School of Jujutsu. This technique embodied the core values, principles and techniques of Kodokan Judo. Koshiki no kata or ‘antique forms’, was a technique used by Kumiuchi (armoured warriors) during the feudal era. In this kata, the participants do not wear actual armour, but imagine that they are wearing armour and move accordingly.
This is old school kata that represents the deadly roots of Judo and includes attacks on the spine. It is also called Kito-Ryu No Kata and this art form is insightful, highly refined and sheds some light on Judo history and theory.
The kata contains a total of 21 techniques that are distributed in 2 categories. The techniques are as follows:
Front (Omote)
- Wheel Throw (Kuruma-daore)
- Ready Posture (Tai)
- Twisting the Neckplates (Shikoro-gaeshi)
- Strength Dodging (Ryokuhi)
- Water Wheel (Mizu-guruma)
- Dreaming (Yume-no-uchi)
- Log Fall (Ko-daore)
- Water Flow (Mizu-nagare)
- Draw Drop (Hikiotoshi)
- Smashing (Uchikudaki)
- Valley Drop (Tani-otoshi)
- Grabbing the Neckplates (Shikoro-dori)
- Shower (Yudachi)
- Waterfall Drop (Taki-otoshi)
Back (Ura)
- Body Smashing (Mi-kudaki)
- Snowbreak (Yukiore)
- Water Plunge (Mizu-iri)
- Headlong Fall (Sakaotoshi)
- Willow Snow (Ryusetsu)
- Wheel Throw (Kuruma-gaeshi)
- Wave on the Rocks (Iwa-nami)
Koshiki no kata is perhaps one of the most highly skilled, detailed, and advanced kata in the Kodokan. Through this art form, which belonged to the old Kito school, Judo was born, practised, and developed. The principle of kito, which means ‘rise-fall’, is demonstrated in this kata.
This kata is punishing, especially for the uke because almost every technique is a sacrifice throw. The first section of the kata contains techniques that are similar to each other. First, the tori initiates the first technique. Uke resists in the second repetition and the tori must accommodate. In this kata, you will often see tori throwing uke to his side, in a kneeling position, and will shift his knee out, symbolically reminding everyone that the tori could have brought uke down over his knee.
As explained earlier. Kata was designed by Jigoro Kano to fine-tune and demonstrate the principles of Judo. Additionally, kata was designed to act as a training tool for students. Kata also provides students with the opportunity to examine their techniques for self-improvement. It is said that kata is a grammar of Judo and using it as a training aid will not only increase knowledge but also, overall skill.
Judo is a way of life and not just a sport that concentrates on winning competitions and medals. The more you learn about Judo, the more fascinating it becomes. There is layer upon layer of knowledge. Even those who love competing must study kata because it is fulfilling in both mental and physical terms.
