The complete Goju-ryu kata syllabus as codified by Chojun Miyagi (1888–1953) and preserved by the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF) and affiliated organisations.
The system comprises twelve kata divided into:
- Introductory (kihon): Gekisai Dai Ichi & Ni — created by Miyagi in 1940 for school physical education, now the universal entry point.
- Heishu (closed / contracted): Sanchin and Tensho — the meditative core of the style, performed with ibuki breathing and sustained muscular tension.
- Kaishu (open hand): Eight classical forms (Saifa through Suparinpei) inherited from the Fujian Chinese tradition via Kanryo Higashionna, arranged from intermediate kyu through senior Dan.
Together they express the defining principle of the style: go (hard) and ju (soft) combined — Goju-ryu.
- 1
Gekisai Dai Ichi
Attack and Smash – First
10th–9th Kyu - 2
Gekisai Dai Ni
Attack and Smash – Second
9th–8th Kyu - 3
Sanchin
Three Battles
Introduced early; deepened throughout - 4
Tensho
Revolving Palms
Dan (after Sanchin is established) - 5
Saifa
Smash and Tear
8th–7th Kyu - 6
Seiyunchin
Control, Pull and Unbalance in Battle
6th–5th Kyu - 7
Shisochin
Battle in Four Directions
4th–3rd Kyu - 8
Sanseru
Thirty-Six Hands
2nd–1st Kyu - 9
Sepai
Eighteen Hands
Shodan–Nidan - 10
Kururunfa
Holding Ground and Sudden Burst
Nidan–Sandan - 11
Seisan
Thirteen Hands
Sandan–Yondan - 12
Suparinpei
One Hundred and Eight Hands
Yondan and above