Almost all of the Goju-Ryu kata were handed down from Kanryo Higaonna. Higaonna had studied and trained for many years under Ryu ryuko in Fukien Province, China. The following kata were handed down by Higaonna from Ryu Ryuko: Sanchin, Saifa, Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Sepia, Kurama, Sesan, and Suparempi. The original creators of these kata are unknown.
The four kata, Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, revised Sanchin, and Tenshoa are relatively new, having been created by Chojun Miyagi. Gekisai Dai Ichi and Dai Ni were developed by Miyagi in order to popularize karate among young people. These two kata, performed with exaggerated movements, are relatively easy to understand.
Chojun Miyagi's Sanchin preserves the essence of Kanryo Higaonna's Sanchin, of which it is a variation. Miyagi developed it particularly to balance the former one. Its performance requires a different use of the muscles, leading it to amore symmetrical development. This is important for optimum use of the body, and especially in the prevention of injury to the back and other areas.
Whereas Sanchin Kata can be considered an aspect of the go (hard) of Goju, Tenshoa kata represents the ju (soft). One of the purposes of Tenshoa kata is concentration on shifting focus points while performing the soft hand movements, Moreover, within this soft hand movement’s tremendous power is generated.
What follows are basic descriptions of the kata movements, laying down the patterns and what techniques are to be done.
Geki Sai Dai Ichi
Master Miyagi as instructional kata developed Gekisai in 1940. The basis for the Gekisai kata is to help beginner students. As you can see both sides of the body gets to practice each set of techniques, starting off with beginner techniques and ending up with the most difficult of moves. The Gekisai kata introduces the student to more complex moves with an easier form of execution. Students must grasp the concepts of the Gekisai kata if they want to be able to understand the higher Kaishu kata. Techniques that Miyagi admired from Shuri-te were also incorporated into these kata.
Geki Sai Dai Ni
The format of this kata is very similar to Gekisai dai Ichi, however some advanced techniques and timing are included. Kake uke (open hand hooking block), mawashi uke (circular block) and neko ashi dachi (cat foot stance) are the additional techniques in the kata. In Gekisai dai Ichi full power and speed was utilized however, in Gekisai dai Ni the concept of 'muchimi' (a heavy, sticking but flowing action) is introduced in the kake and mawashi uke's. 'Muchimi' requires stances with a lower centre of gravity, hence neko ashi dachi!