Karate kata are sequences of basic, intermediate and advanced techniques arranged into set orders and patterns. The name kata is a Japanese term translated as mold, model, style, form or shape.

Each kata has it's own character. Some kata are heavy and powerful whereas others are far more graceful and flowing in their nature. Some kata however, contain a mixture of both and each has it's own unique timing. The 26 officially recognised Shotokan kata are all individually named and given their own personality. In some cases, the source of the name is obvious. In others, the name of the kata can only be guessed at from the kanji that their identity was originally written in. Together, the twenty-six kata of Shotokan karate contain virtually all the knowledge of this fighting system.

Heian	Tekki	Bassai
(Peaceful way) Heian Shodan Heian Nidan Heian Sandan Heian Yodan Heian Godan	(Iron Horse) Tekki Nidan Tekki Sandan	(To penetrate a fortress; dai = major sho = minor) Bassai Dai Bassai Sho
Kanku	Enpi	Jion
(Viewing the sky) Kanku Dai Kanku Sho	(Flying swallow) Enpi	(Named after the temple) Jion
Hangetsu	Gankaku	Jitte
(Half-moon) Hangetsu	(Crane on a rock) Gankaku	(Ten hands) Jitte
Chinte	Nijushiho	Sochin
(Incredible hands) Chinte	(24 steps) Nijushiho	(Preserve peace) Sochin
Unsu	Gojushiho	Jiin
(Hands of a cloud) Unsu	(54 steps) Gojushiho Dai Gojushiho Sho	(Named after the saint)  Jiin
Wankan	Meikyo
(Crown of a king) Wankan	(Mirror of the soul) Meikyo