Asai-ryuha KataI'm constantly being asked about the many kata that Asai Sensei taught me, making it clear that numerous people are eager to learn them. To me, this is just awesome, as I believe that they are filled with insightful biomechanics absent in the 26 kata (and perhaps better formulated). They also train a vast array of techniques, and effectve fighting applications/tactics, not featured in the standard Shotokan kata. Sadly now, they are also memorials to Sensei himself.
The occassional person (usually someone I don't even know) is rude enough to demand my time and money i.e. - have me film myself performing particular kata, and then posting a dvd/video to them! Obviously I have refused such demands, afterwhich they have typically replied by saying that I have ''no ownership of Asai Sensei's kata'', and ''it's your duty to share Asai Sensei's kata with others''. My answer to these people is threefold. Firstly, ''I have no duty to teach, or deny teaching anyone. That is because the karate I have been taught, is my own.'' Secondly, ''No, I don't have ownership of anyone elses karate, including Asai Sensei's. I am just another karateka''. Thirdly, ''If you are so keen to learn, fly me to your country, accommodate me, and host a seminar''. Sadly, because I am not Japanese, there is always less offers to teach courses globally. But in saying that, when I do take courses, I always teach something that's completely unique. That always includes Asai Sensei's more obscure kata and techniques, depending on what my sponsor requests. From a selfish perspective, I hope that more dojo/organisations from outside of Japan host me in the future.
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I will begin by briefly covering the standard kata of Shotokan-ryu karatedo and their respective categories. These orthodox kata formed the foundation of Asai Sensei's karate, from his training and teaching with the Japan Karate Association (JKA). From this perspective, they are the essential to fully understand Asai Sensei's karate background.
26 kata were established by the JKA as 'standard Shotokan'. In recent years, the JKA dropped Jiin kata, rounding the list off to 25. Just as a side note, Jiin was one of Asai Sensei's favourites, and was the base kata for the Junro series (along with Hachimon). Asai Sensei extended the list to 27 standard kata in the early 90's, as he included Hyakuhappo (more commonly know as Superinpei, or in Shotokan circles, Hyakuhachiho). Here are the respective categories.
The six kihon (fundamental) kata: Heian-shodan, Heian-nidan, Heian-sandan, Heian-yondan, Heian-godan, and Tekki-shodan.
The four sentei (assigned) kata: Jion, Kankudai, Enpi, and Bassaidai
The jiyu kata: Hangetsu, Jitte, Gankaku, Tekki-nidan, Tekki-sandan, Kankusho, Bassaisho, Chinte, Meikyo, Sochin, Nijushiho, Gojushihosho, Gojushihodai, Wankan, Unsu, Jiin, (and Hyakuhappo). 
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I know 62 bujutsu (martial art) kata, generally referred to as Asai style kata. Admittedly several of these forms were not taught to me initially by Asai Sensei himself, but in those cases I always had Asai Sensei check, and correct me in person, at a later date. Other kata, and applications I was taught, I feel Sensei was 'experimenting'. In these sessions I learned huge amounts about Asai Sensei's karate and 'technical philosophy'. The majority of kata I was taught, were taught to me directly, and in some cases, in later times, Sensei would alter a technique, application, or even an entire section.
So here is the list...
Do I regularly train all of these kata? No, I train on kata according to my wants/technical needs, at any given time. Also from the advice Asai Sensei gave me. For example, if I want to extensively work on Sensei's muchiken arm techniques, I spend lots of time on Seiryu. If I am training the integration of elbow strikes with middle and long range techniques, I'll work on Joko-yonsei etc.
The kata of Asai-ryuha are divided into two distinct groups:
(1) Basic training kata. These kata work on specific foundational techniques (or an important principle). Asai Sensei designed these kata to target his percieved weaknesses in peoples kihon. For example, if the karateka needed to refine 'leg snap' a Kyakusen kata may be recommended; similarly, if the karateka needed to refine their kiba-dachi, the Kibaken series might be the order of the day. An important point I would like to mention here, is that even though the Junro series were made into shitei kata (because originally they were not accepted by branch dojo in Japan), they were primarily designed to be designated to people, according to their technical deficiencies. Likewise for the Joko kata. Therefore, someone may select from any of these basic kata, according to their needs, without feeling the need to follow an 'orderly system'.
(2) Advanced free kata. These kata provide 'extension training' in Asai Sensei's karate, in particular, softness, snap, rotation and reverse rotation, and a repetoire of techniques, not included, in the 27 Shotokan kata. In addition to these points, the advanced free kata were also introduced to give more options, to experienced karateka, in regards to their selection of tokui-kata.
To conclude I would like to answer a question often fired at me. ''Do we need any more kata? Doesn't Shotokan have enough already?'' Well, of course it has! One kata is enough. My personal belief is that everyone must 'routinely train' all 10 shitei kata, and at least one specialised form from the Shotokan jiyu kata list. Above that, they can freely choose whatever interests them! Personally I spent many years religiously studying the 26 Shotokan kata, but now, I just focus on the kata I want/need. This is what the Japanese do! I rarely meet any Japanese high rankers here, who can demonstrate Tekki-sandan, Jiin, Chinte, Wankan, Meikyo and other 'less common' kata. They just stick to the Shitei kata, plus Kankusho (since its inclusion as an official 'representatve' kata by the JKF). On top of this, they have their tokui kata, typically Sochin, Gankaku, Unsu, Gojushihodai or Gojushihosho.The Asai kata I practice have greatly enhanced my technique and made training far more enjoyable for me. They continue to make my Shotokan technique better (stronger, faster and smoother) and further understand karate as a martial art. Therefore, in my opinion, they are essential in my personal regime. Whether you train Asai Sensei's kata, or not, is completely up to you. The main thing is that you optimise your own skill development and have fun in the process. I wish you the best on your karate journey.
Pictured here is Asai Sensei's 10th Dan Certificate. Asai Sensei truly was a karate genius, and this can no better be illustrated, than by the kata he left us.
© André Bertel, Japan 2007
