Kata



Kata, the shadow fighting, were formal prearranged movements that taught a student proper fighting techniques.

Literally, form, a kata was a rigid pattern of attack and defence often used for training purposes in traditional Rokugani martial arts. They were typically used as exercises for focus for meditation, but some also had practical applications in combat. Like techniques, each school had claimed to their own unique kata.

Basic Kata
There are some kata that are taught by any dojo, and their origins have been lost to time. They are taught throughout Rokugan, and even among minor clans and ronin samurai.


 * Striking as Earth
 * Striking as Fire
 * Striking as Water
 * Striking as Wind
 * Striking as Void

Thousand Years of Steel
In the twelfth century Kakita Kaiten and Mirumoto Uso met for a duel of respect. As masters of their respective schools they honored the bloodless challenge between the Mirumoto and Kakita schools that occurs almost every generation. The two swordsmen worked together to settle the differences between their two families by designing a set of kata known as the Thousand Years of Steel. These kata are also practiced by all the major bushi schools of the Great Clans.


 * The Empire Rests on its Edge
 * Standing on the Heavens
 * Victory of the River
 * Victory of the Wind
 * The World is Empty

Crab Clan Kata
The Crab dojo were as secretive as any, and although they had been known to teach their most treasured kata occasionally to those in most need of them. Mostly the Dead-Eyes Berserkers and Hiruma Scouts.


 * Flowers on Unattainable Heights
 * Hida's Avalanche
 * Hida's Jade Fist
 * Nothing Can Save You
 * Piercing Strike
 * Shards of Earth
 * Shell of Stone
 * Soul of Stone
 * Stance of the Wall
 * Unyielding Fury

Crane Clan Kata
The Crane were perhaps the most selective and traditional swordsmen in Rokugan, and their dedication to excellence was reflected in their kata. Learning one of their kata was an honor shared with few outside the clan.


 * Kakita's First Stance
 * One Leg Stance
 * One-Strike Blade
 * One Truth
 * Watchful Falcon

Dragon Clan Kata
Though many Dragon could be enigmatic and distant the Mirumoto family's expertise in the art of the samurai could not be questioned. The Dragon gladly tought their kata to anyone who would embrace their ways, but not all could be taught them easily.


 * Breaking Waves
 * Concealed Blade
 * Endless Strike
 * Falling Stars
 * Iron Blossom
 * Hojatsu's Legacy Style
 * My Brother's Soul
 * Sense the World
 * Stone Striking Water
 * Thunder and Steel
 * Time Between Breaths

Lion Clan Kata
The Lion were a clan with traditional mastery of the art of combat. Their sensei were brutal and unforgiving, but only because their students were expected to live up to the high standard of the clan. Any student capable of meeting these standards might be allowed to learn their kata.


 * Akodo's First Stance
 * Drifting Snowflake
 * Fury Without End
 * Gentle Blade of Winter
 * Leaf Upon Water
 * Matsu's Vengeance
 * Predator's Assault
 * Striking as Stone
 * The Soul's Roar
 * Tsuko's Storm
 * Wing Breaker
 * Winter of Discord

Mantis Clan Kata
Some might call the Mantis style unorthodox, but the Yoritomo were very proud of their kata. Since the adoption of the Tsuruchi family some of these kata had been shared with them. Also the few Moshi who took up the life as a bushi were allowed to learn them.


 * Boundless Fury
 * Fight Back the Darkness
 * Howl of the Son of Storms
 * Prayer's End
 * Strength of the Waves
 * Strike of the Cliff's Edge
 * Thunder Kiss

Phoenix Clan Kata
There were few of the Phoenix who could muster the same brute strength as some of the southern schools, but they made up for it with several subtle martial techniques.


 * Deeper Reflection
 * Eyes of the Phoenix
 * Heaven's Wing
 * Tail of the Sun
 * Touching the Infinite

Scorpion Clan Kata
The Scorpion guarded their kata as jealously they would any knowledge, and few outsiders were accepted into their schools and allowed to learn their ancient kata. Those who did realize they had recieved a great gift, and that the Scorpion would want that gift repaid.


 * Blackened Sight
 * Choking Air
 * Cut Under the Mountain
 * Rising Claws
 * Sundering Grace
 * The Tail's Reach
 * Thunder's Dagger

Sparrow Clan Kata

 * Patient Wing Style
 * Food-Seeking Heron

Spider Clan Kata

 * Spider's Deadly Caress

Unicorn Clan Kata
The Unicorn relied heavily on unorthodox maneuvers and unpredictable techniques learnt from their travels outside Rokugan. As a result their kata varied considerably from the kata of other clans.


 * Howl of the Moto
 * Moto's Burning Strike
 * Otaku's Void
 * Shinjo's Breath
 * Thundering The Sky

Ronin Kata

 * Blade of Nanashi's Eyes

Multiple Clan Kata

 * Blackened Caress
 * Disappearing World Style
 * Dwell in Darkness
 * Kiss of the Lotus
 * Poisoned Wind
 * Strength of Purity Style
 * Sword of the Sun
 * Veiled Menace Style

Powers of Darkness
The following abilities of the minions of the Nothing were all kata:
 * Shadow Leap
 * Shadow Wave
 * Shadow Seduction
 * Shadow Consumption