Kata

Judo Alberta Kata Committee Structure

The Provincial Kata Committee’s mission is to increase the awareness and practice of Kata in Alberta by providing education and support for all.

Kata Committee Members

  • Kelly Palmer (Chair)
  • Gord Okamura
  • Wesley Enns
  • Jennifer Parker

The Provincial Kata Committee’s goals are to increase the awareness and practice of Kata in Alberta, and to provide education and support for Sensei and athletes. This is an ongoing, multi year target. However, to assist in this we have an opportunity to attain concrete results due to Nationals being in Calgary for the next three years. Calgary Nationals 2025-27 – the Committee’s main 2024/25 goal is to prepare new U16/U23 teams for Kata Nationals in Calgary and to show Kata, for those who do not enjoy shiai, as an alternative to compete.

Kata Goals and Plans for 2024/25 Season

Upcoming Kata Clinics

Kata Tuesdays – Katame no kata

The Provincial Kata Committee will be offering instructions in Katame no kata to anyone interested in this kata (but especially for sandan and yondan candidates).  This in-person session will also be broadcast and recorded on Google Meet (please mute): 

  • When: Tuesdays on January 7, 14, 21 starting at 6:00pm MST sharp and ending at 7:25pm. Each session will build on the previous one.
  • Where: Tokugawa Dojo, 9647-62 Avenue, Edmonton or online here.
  • Contents: Introductory level.
  • Presented by: Gord Okamura, National Kata Coach and Provincial Grading and Kata Committee member

Contact: Gord Okamura email address: gyokamura@gmail.com

Edmonton International Kata and Judges’ Certification Clinic

Date: Thursday March 6, 2025 
Kata presented: AM – Katame no kata, PM – Kodokan Goshin Jutsu 
Clinician: Gerald Poirier 
Location: Tokugawa Judo Club, 9647-62 Avenue NW, Edmonton 
Time: Clinic: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Evaluation Tests: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm 
Cost:
Clinic Only (no evaluation): $40 
Evaluation Katame-no-Kata: +$25 
Evaluation Kodokan Goshin Jutsu: +$25 

Registration: https://registration.judocanada.org/event/2025-edmonton-international-kata clinic-judge-certification/1001214/  

Contact Gord Okamura at gyokamura@gmail.com if any questions. 

Eligibility: Member in good standing with your provincial association. Please note that this clinic is directed to individuals wanting to become certified kata judges in  Canada. However, you may choose to attend for development only, or choose to write the  Evaluation Tests for one or both kata to be certified. If you are being evaluated, you are assumed to some basic knowledge of the kata. The following  links will assist you in preparing yourself in advance: 

Official Kodokan Videos: 

Katame no kata
IJF Kata Evaluation Jan 2024

Kodokan Kata Textbooks: 

Katame no kata
Goshin Jutsu

Kata Video Library

Kata Tuesdays, October 2024 – Kodokan Goshin Jutsu

Kata Tuesdays – Kodokan Goshin Jutsu
The Provincial Kata Committee offered instructions in Kodokan Goshin Jutsu to anyone interested in the kata. This in-person session was recorded and available for you to rewatch.

Kata Tuesdays, November 2024 – Kime no kata

The Provincial Kata Committee offered instructions in Kime no kata to anyone interested in the kata. This in-person session was recorded and available for you to rewatch.

Kata Tuesdays, January 2025 – Katame no kata

The Provincial Kata Committee offered instructions in Katame no kata to anyone interested in this kata.  This in-person session was recorded.

What is Kata?

Jigoro Kano Shihan, the founder of judo, explains there are essentially two ways of practicing judo: randori (with its variant in competition) and kata. Kata literally means “form”. Kata is practiced according to a pre-established system of codified movements, while randori is practiced freely.

The goal of kata is therefore to learn and practice the fundamental principals and techniques of judo. It is important for the student and teacher to incorporate kata in their training.

For more information, please consult the VETERAN & KATA HANDBOOK

Kata Selection Criteria – World Kata Championships (Sept 13/14, 2021 Krakow, Poland)

Judging Kata

If you are interested in judging Kata events, know that Judo Canada uses the same Kata Evaluation rules as the International Judo Federation. Judo Canada also offers training and evaluation clinics for potential Kata judges. For further information, go to https://judocanada.org/kata-judging/

Alberta Certified Kata Judges

Judges-Active-List-November-2022

Kata Resources

The International Judo Federation  (IJF) has released the new Kata competition criteria for evaluation. Please refer to the 2024 Kata Competition handbook for more details.

IJF_KATA_EVALUATION_Jan_2024-E-1706106369

To download the handbook please click here.

Kata Resources

Kodomo No Kata Resources:

Ju No Kata Resources:

Katame No Kata Resources:

Nage No Kata Resources:

Kodokan Goshin Jutsu Resources:  

Kime No Kata Resources:  

Itsutsu No Kata

Koshiki No Kata

Kodokan 2022 All Japan Kata Championships

Alberta Sport ConnectionNCCPOur Sponsors