Shotokan Kata 1 (Heian Shodan) with Instructions & Videos

This page provides video and written instructions for the Shotokan Karate kata – Heian Shodan. Heian Shodan is also known as Shotokan Kata 1. Heian Shodan is the first Shotokan kata and is followed Heian Nidan and Heian Sandan. It is a Shotokan kata for color belt (non-black belt) Shotokan Karate students.

The information on this page is designed to help students pass their belt tests. There are video instructions for this kata so you can watch the kata performed by experts. There are also written step-by-step instructions for Heian Shodan located at the bottom of the page. For information on other Shotokan katas (i.e. Heian Nidan), please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Shotokan Karate katas section.

FYI – Be aware that some Shotokan schools use Taikyoku Shodan as Shotokan Kata 1. However, most Shotokan schools use Taikyoku Shodan only as a kihon kata and consider Heian Shodan as the first Shotokan kata.

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Step-By-Step Instructional Video for Shotokan Kata – Heian Shodan

Demonstration Video for Shotokan Kata – Heian Shodan

Demonstration Video – Heian Shodan shown from Different Angles (Front, Side & Back)

Written Instructions for Shotokan Karate Kata – Heian Shodan

These instructions are copyright protected and may not be copied or reproduced.

Heian Shodan has 21 movements. This kata requires accurate Shotokan stances (dachi).

  • Ready stance – Yohi Dachi
  • Turn left 90 degrees, left front stance, left low (downward) block – Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into right front stance, right middle lunge punch – Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Turn right 180 degrees into right front stance, right low (downward) block, right arm circles into a downward hammer fist – Migi Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi – Migi Tettsui Uchi
  • Step forward into left front stance, left middle lunge punch – Hidari Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Turn left 90 degrees into left front stance, left low (downward) block – Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into right front stance, right rising block – Migi Age Uke Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into left front stance, left rising block – Hidari Age Uke Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into right front stance, right rising block, yell Kiai – Migi Age Uke Zen Kutsu Dachi Kiai
  • Turn left 270 degrees in left front stance, left low (downward) block – Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into right front stance, right middle lunge punch – Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Turn right 180 degrees into right front stance, right low (downward) block – Migi Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into left front stance, left middle lunge punch – Hidari Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Turn left 90 degrees into left front stance, left low (downward) block – Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into right forward stance, right middle lunge punch – Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into left front stance, left middle lunge punch – Hidari Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
  • Step forward into right forward stance, right middle lunge punch, yell Kiai – Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi Kiai
  • Turn left 270 degrees into left back stance, left middle knife hand guarding block – Hidari Shuto Uke Ko Kutsu Dachi
  • Turn right 45 degrees into right back stance, right middle knife hand guarding block – Migi Shuto Uke Ko Kutsu Dachi
  • Turn right 135 degrees into right back stance, right middle knife hand guarding block – Migi Shuto Uke Ko Kutsu Dachi
  • Turn left 45 degrees into left back stance, left middle knife hand guarding block – Hidari Shuto Uke Ko Kutsu Dachi
  • Bring left foot back to right foot, return to ready stance – Yohi Dachi

Related Wiki Pages

Other Shotokan Kata Resources

if you need more help with your kata, we would suggest looking at our section on the best Shotokan books. These Shotokan books provide detailed kata instruction and tips.

Reference Sources

  1. Written kata instructions are courtesy of Black Belt Wiki and may not be copied or reproduced.
  2. Our thanks to Paul T. for telling us about the stance issue!