Kata
Kata is a set of pre-determined movements which consists of defensive and offensive techniques performed in a particular sequence. Each movement and technique in a kata is made up of selected elements suitable to circumstances of real world fighting.
Until recently, the Katas were kept secret and were not practised in public by Karate practitioners. In the past, Katas were only taught by Karate masters to only a handful of trusted students. Many ancient Katas were also lost because of this secrecy. During that time, Kata formed the major part of training in Karate.
Katas are developed and scientifically improved over the course of time by Karate masters.
A Kata is performed alone against imaginary opponents. It serves the purpose of developing good posture, execution of techniques and mental concentration (focus). Each step of the Kata needs to be analysed and understood before the Karate practioner can apply it to real fighting.
Kata embeds strategies of fighting designed to expose different parts of the opponent's body and follow-up with offensive techniques.
In Karate, the Kata always begins with a defensive technique rather than an offensive one. As an art of self-defence, this reinforces the philosophy of 'Karate ni senti nashi' which is 'There is no first attack in Karate'. In an advent of a fight, the best is to avoid it altogether.