Correct understanding of the 順路 (Junro) 'kata'

One of the most confused series of 'kata' are undoubtedly the five 順路 (Junro). Please note my emphasis on 'kata' here...

Looking at the way people practice and teach them usually makes me cringe. The core points that Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei was teaching—and why he designed them in the first place—seem to have been either misunderstood or completely not understood at all.

Alternatively, like the other ‘kata’ from Asai Sensei, they have intentionally been, what we in the IKS call ‘Shōtōkanized’…

While I’m 100% a Shōtōkan karateka, it’s clear that changing these kata ‘so that that conform with all the Shōtōkan norms largely invalidates their purpose’, which was to expand our bujutsu-knowledge. If you are going to do that: in Asai Sensei’s words, “…you’d be much better off doing 平安 (Heian), which were derived from the classical forms.”

Returning to Junro (and equally relevant to 常行 Jōkō, which I’ve intentionally not addressed today), please again, allow me to quote Asai Sensei… 

He stated that “Junro are supplementary kihon-gata”. They are not classical forms but, rather “kihon training routines” each with a specific fundamental target and varied from the Shōtōkan-ryu standard actions.”

Accordingly, both Junro (and Jōkō) are “exercises”/ "drills" to further master your foundational techniques and develop variations of them.

Rather than blasting through these ‘basic training kata’, instead, use them specifically in your training (and, if you are an instructor, specifically in your teaching). As always, quality and knowledge are all that matters.

Lastly, a quick bit Japanese and conclusive notes…

順路 (Junro): (じゅんろ, junro) means a ‘prescribed/designated route’.

And for your information, and more revealing 常行 (Jōkō): (じょうこう, jōkō) means ‘everyday conduct’.

Clearly, both of these meanings must not be misunderstood and incorrectly practiced in one’s karate training.

押忍！

アンドン バーテル

{The following images are from my daily self-training today}

Movement one of JUNRO SANDAN.

Movement one of JUNRO SHODAN.

Movement one of JUNRO NIDAN.

Movement one of JUNRO YONDAN (from rear view).

Near completion of movement one: JUNRO GODAN.

©️ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (August 21st, 2026).