Katas

Question 1

Chon-Ji Kata

Answer 1

Translates heaven and earth. It is interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history; therefore, it is the initial pattern planned for white belt advancement to gold belt level.

Question 2

Dan-Gun Kata

Answer 2

This kata is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.

Question 3

Do-San

Answer 3

This is the pen name of the patriot Ahn Chang Ho, who devoted his entire life to the furthering of education in Korea and its independence movement. This occurred from 1876 to 1938.

Question 4

Won-Hyo

Answer 4

This was a noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686AD

Question 5

Yul-Kok Kata

Answer 5

This is another name for the great philosopher and scholar Yi L (1536 to 1584), nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”. The 38 movements of this pattern represent his birthplace on the 38th latitude and the diagram plus/minus (+ -) which represents scholar.

Question 6

Jung—Geun

Answer 6

This kata is named after the patriot Ann Jung-geun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese Governor General of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. The are 32 movements to represent Mr. An’s age when he was executed by the Japanese at Lui-Shung prison in 1910.

Question 7

Toi-Gye

Answer 7

This is the pen name of the noted Yi Hwang (16th Century AD), an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th latitude near the kingdom of Silla.

Question 8

Chung-Mu

Answer 8

This was the given name of the admiral Yi Sun-Sin of the Yi dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first submarine, as well as the kobuksun, which was an armored battleship. These were both precursors of the modern vessels, but this was done in 1592AD. This pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolize the admiral’s regrettable death.

Question 9

Tekki

Answer 9

This pattern is over 4000 years old and was re-named “Iron Horse” by Gichin Funakoshi.

Question 10

Kata Hwa-Rang

Answer 10

This kata is named after the wHa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla dynasty about 1350 years ago. The group eventually became the actual driving force for the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea. The twenty -nine movements of this pattern refer to the twenty-ninth infantry division.