The Katas of Karate Kid & Cobra Kai | ART OF ONE DOJO 

The Karate Kid movie just never stops giving... So much to revel in and learn from after so many years 😃

I remember watching the training montage for Sam and Robby in Season 2, and my mum was like the Leonardo DiCaprio meme where he's pointing at the tv, saying "that's kankudai!"

It's amazing how much more authentic (while retaining its fantastical elements for the sake of story) the Karate Kid is compared to many similar movies

In KK3 tournament, It would make more sense if Daniel started the kata before they started the fight. So he would be ready as soon as they start.

Interesting video. I agree with the Korean influences, especially in the fighting sequences in Karate Kid 1, which was primarily Tang Soo Do. I think that what is missing in the analysis is Shito Ryu. Goju Ryu katas are also seen in Shito Ryu but they didn’t come from Goju. The founder of Goju (Chōjun Miyagi) and the founder of Shito Ryu (Kenwa Mabuni) had both studied with Higaonna Kanryō, who practiced Naha-Te. Kenwa Mabuni also studied with others and incorporated their katas as well and he also developed his own. Shito Ryu has the most Kata of any of the karate styles. And while the writer of the Karate Kid (Robert Kamen) did indeed study Goju Ryu, the stunt double for Pat Morita in the film was Fumio Demura, who brought Shito Ryu to the US in the early 1960s and based himself in Santa Ana, California. I think what you’re seeing are Seunchin, Tensho and Kasunkan Dai as done in Shito Ryu rather than Goju Ryu, which performs these katas more robustly and with a heavier hand than in Shito Ryu. Demura would have taken a different approach when teaching some moves from these Kata to Morita and Ralph Macchio.

I actually learned Seiunchin for an Okinawan cultural festival -- our style was Okinawa Kenpo, but a lot of karateka from all styles in Hawaii participated, so we all learned this kata. When I saw it in KK3, I immediately recognized it!

Light contact, but you can hit hard.. yep pretty much what happens here in japan

The kata Miyagi and Daniel was doing was based on real Goju ryu kata, Seiyuuchin!

I am a 4th Dan in Hayashi-Ha Shito Ryu and despite some differences in the way every kata is done these are the very kata I recognized when rewatching these films, so I agree. Also, I feel you left out a kata. In the Cobra Kai series season 2, I believe Robby and Samantha are also practicing a version of Kosokun Dai in addition to Seinchin. I know the kata Tensho, but I never made that connection so I thought that was an “Oh yeah huh” moment for me lol

Pat Johnson was the fight choreographer on the set of the first Karate Kid movie and he appears as the referee in the final scenes of the movie. His background is in Tang Soo Do and it likely you see his influence on some of the techniques used in the movie. Pat Morita struck up a friendship with Fumio Demura on the set of the first Karate Kid. Demura was Pat Morita's stunt double in the movie. He was also Morita's stunt double in the 3rd and 4th movie in the series. Its likely that the karate techniques and forms Miyagi teaches Russo may come from Shito Ryu Karate as a result of Morita and Demura working together on the film. Demura holds a 9th Degree in Shito Ryu and Morita has always held is friendship with Demura in high esteem and has even said he based his portrayal of Miyagi on Demura.

One thing I do want to add regarding the version of Koryo that was in KK3 is that it was also in "Best of the Best 2". Not the part Terry Silver is shown doing, but the first half of the form. The Rhee brothers are students of Jun Chong.

As a karate practitioner (Kyokushin), I enjoy seeing katas in the Karate Kid series and seiyunchin is one of the katas used and I've been practicing for over a decade. There's so much to learn behind the techniques within the kata. Also, koryo was at the time when I took TKD years ago a prerequisite for brown belts with stripe to go for 1st degree black belt as I was part of the WTF affiliated dojang, but that was long ago before I took Karate. Each katas regardless of art that you may practice have its use and must be revised to no end!! Excellent video.

As a former TKD practitioner its kind of nice to see the art that i love get some love from the martial arts community ☺ thanks for the vid.

Goju Ryu practitioner here... we have many styles of Goju Ryu. I am under both the IOGKF and Meibukan goju ryu styles. I had to learn 5 additional ones when I started doing Meibukan goju ryu and I got to say I love the way my sensei teaches us katas. Now, like Terry silver I have been doing taekwondo since the 80s as a kid. I love both styles cos they both taught me some valuable experiences and lessons. Keep up the great work, my man! Also, this part 2 when you talked about Steve McQueen I didn't know that was his son. I love his dad's films.

As soon as I saw this video with the katas, I definitely agree with your assessment. Seyunchin kata in KK3, Tensho movements and mr miyagi doing Shisochin

I learned Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and one of teachers I had took what I later learned were the 12 keywords and created 6 "hand forms." I incorporated that into my teaching. The first hand form was Gou Lou Cai, and it was basically Wax-On Wax-Off. I loved The Karate Kid because when students would ask "What's this for?" I could just tell them to get the movie and it was Wax-On Wax-Off. Students never questioned me again after that.

I was taught a hybrid of shotokan and kenpo so I appreciate Katas that are older but have been modified and even combined with others. Keep this up please. Your videos are always informative, educational, and entertaining.

Does anyone else think that at least the beginning of "the wheel technique" from S2 of Cobra Kai looks ALOT like the beginning of Kanku dai?

3:50 Aside from neither Macchio or Morita actually being martial artists, it should be noted that Seiyunchin or Seienchin is not a kata that the films' choreographer Pat Johnson practices. So he likely asked either the films' creator Robert Mark Kamen (Goju-ryu & Isshin-ryu) or Morita's stunt double Fumio Demura (Shito-ryu) to demonstrate it for him and he created the modified version we see. In season two of the show, there is a scene and it might be this same one 12:08 where Daniel's daughter and Johnny's son are performing the opening movements from the Kushanku/Kanku-Dai/Kong Sang Koon kata. Though, not a goju-ryu form, it is found in the show's head choreographer Hiro Koda's style as well as original movie choreography Pat Johnson's style. So there's one more kata or at least movements from one.

I study Issinryu Karate since I was 14 years old at the ( crane kick ) comes from the katas Chinto, and Kusanku and sanchin is also a breathing kata as well and if you remember in the first karate kid he speaks about breathing. I would have to say you were spot on with this video.

Good video. The Tensho Kata was created by Chojun Miyagi influenced by a White Crane Kata name Ryokushu. Miyagi took this kata and made a kind of a shorter version of it. Also he changed the Sanshin Kata by make it a little shorter, and using close fists as oppose to open Hands.

Great video as always, absolutely love it.

Amazing video keep up the great work( Seriously I and many people would be lost without you.)

I'm currently training in Goju Ryu and have been doing so now for 3.5 years, I came to the tentative conclusion of your 4th Kata to be Shisochin moments before you mentioned the name, so perhaps this is a good start to confirming your findings.

Terry silver just dit some renraku-waza, which also was a part of tkd kata. Seeing it, you feel that what he does, flows really well! Can understand why they used it.

I was always so curious what kata that was!!! And I want to learn that version of Koryo.... Thanks for posting.

Good call on all the katas. I have been practicing Shotokan and Gojo Ryu for over 20 years. I knew those katas you mentioned, but had to really look closely to see the resemblance. I agree on Seiunchin, Tensho and Shisochin. I like how they incorporated some real karate into the movies. But I love the comparison of the blueprint to the vehicle. That is why bunkai is important.

GoJu ryu guy here, I think you got it right! Well done going through all that effort on such a small portion of the movements to reach a very logical conclusion.

I enjoy the episodes well put together

This was a very good video and well researched and thought out. I have been a martial artist since 1977 and have not practiced Goju but do have a lot of respect for the system and I agree with you completely on the Goju origins of Miyagi's karate. Most of my training has been in the Chinese disciplines, but I have spent some time with Kempo and Shito-ryu. I never thought that the "Wax on" exercises could be based on a kata, and more understood them as an interesting way to practice the basics. Thank you for the work you did on this. it was interesting.

The "wax on" technique definitely exists in other arts too. We have it as wol gwan kwun (sun and moon switching techniques) and there are many ways to do it. Also can incorporate weights and stance work to get the hips and legs involved

I love the fact that the movie showcased Seienchin even if it was done incorrectly. It makes sense that they would practice this as Goju Ryu was founded by Chojun Miyagi and I believe they had already insinuated ancestral ties to Chojun.

Definitely Shisochin, so you passed! Badly done, but Shisochin, none the less. 😀

Great stuff! I think you nailed it! :)

Good work!

Excellent detective work, on deciphering the katas or forms, performed across the span of the Karate Kid films. I do agree that Sensei Terry Silver, was indeed performing a taekwondo or Tang Soo Do type of poomsae (kata/form), in the third Karate Kid film, when Daniel Larusso walks in and finally takes him up on his offer, to allegedly train him in preparation for the tournament, specifically against Mike Barnes. Those movements do look, too continuous and cohesively well organised in sequential order, like those of a regimented form/kata/poomsae, as opposed to random, shadow boxing, sparring techniques! I myself have wondered about the irony and seemingly hypocrisy of Sensei Terry Silver, when he scolded Daniel Larusso, for seeing him practice kata, before their training session at the Cobra Kai dojo. Dismissing it as a total waste of time, yet he himself was practicing his katas, when Daniel Larusso first went to see him at the Cobra Kai dojo. Even as a kid I always laughed at that scene as he wanted Daniel Larusso to do the complete opposite 😁. However your theory makes sense, he himself did not believe that forms or katas were useless, but perhaps instead Sensei Terry Silver wanted to disrup, as well as upset the established foundations of Mr. Miyagi's teachings, as a way to ensure that Mike Barnes would get the upper hand. Now reverting back to the first kata of Seienchin, we ourselves in Kyokushin Karate have this Goju-Ryu Karate kata, however for us it means (The Calm Before the Storm)! Regardless of that I myself once I came across it in Kyokushin Karate, fully recognised its movements in the Karate Kid 3 film, and indeed it was highly stylised and somewhat modified, to suit the film's cinematic, visual purposes. You did a phenomenal job in identifying all of the katas, plus breaking down and explaining its actual, possible, practical applications. The other kata that I recognise from the film, based on the movements, that Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel Larusso in the first film of wax on wax off, polishing the cars, painting the fence up and down, sanding the floors, painting the house and so forth, is the Goju-Ryu Karate kata of Tensho (Flowing Hands or Rolling Hands) in terms of its meaning for us in Kyokushin Karate. Overall I am also of the opinion that katas are the blue print of combat techniques, or an encyclopedia of techniques, where it is up to the individual to put it together, into practical and effective usage, when it comes to actual combat, through logical, as well as strategic, trial and error. Thank you once again for such an awesome Cobra Kai and Karate Kid films related, analogy video. These are some of my absolute favourites. Greetings as always to you and your team, at the Art of One Dojo, may you all keep safe and healthy, Osu!🇲🇽🇦🇺🥋🤟✌👍😊

I agree with you! Good job!

The style of karate I practice, Isshin-ryu, has Seiunchin kata as well. A dojo friend and I were binging the films and neither had seen the third since we were little kids. Our jaws hit the floor when we recognized Seiunchin.

Thanks so much for figuring out the kata Silver was doing!

I am a brown belt in Goju-Ryu and I immediately recognized my style! :D

Watched the movie so many times. Loved the moves in it. I like the circular Chinese styles.

Nice job!

Though it has to be pointed out that the TKD that Terry Silver does is WTF (Olympic style), it's not traditional TKD (ITF), which was founded first!

Nice analysis of the Kata.

You did a good job breaking them down

Awesome 😎 My core styles are TaeKwonDo, Tangsoodo and Hapkido. It’s funny because all my instructors were ex military. Maybe you can do a video on what styles former military members most often teach.

Very respectful description of Kata, I study USAGoju and practice kata extensively in my training; kata is the books of martial arts

I can definitely see some similarities between the third kata you mentioned and Tensho. However, I have learn two versions of this kata one from Okinawan meibukan goju ryu and another from Kenpo Karate. It is definitely more similar to the Kenpo Tensho. The Goju Ryu version is more aggressive and involves eye gouging. All the other forms I agree with you on. As far as the self defense technique shown to Jessica, that looks like the ten point blocking form which is practiced in both Kenpo Karate and Goju Ryu Karate.

Seinchin! Calm in the storm. My favorite kata :)

FYI, Robert's wise instructor was Kayo Ong. And yes, certain aspects of the character of Miagi were loosely based off of him.

Hey good job with the research!!, after seing the movements side by side id have to say yes you found tue corrects forms they were based from. As a kid these movies also imspired me to persue martial Arts

To answer your question, IMHO, no doubts Master Miyagi is performing the ending part of Shisochin in KK2. But the best discovery you did is definitely the korean kata performed by Terry Silver in KK3! That was truly unexpected 😱 BTW, nice video! Glad to see that Cobra Kai is putting Karate under the spotlight just like the original movie did back in the 80s.

And the Heron technique is in the Nipaipo kata by Shito Ryu and in the Kata Nijuhachi by SKIF's Shotokan.

I have no doubt that your analysis of the three Goju-Ryu katas are indeed - Seinchin (also called Seiyunchin), Tensho, and Shishochin. In my style Goju-Kai, the kata's are required for 1st kyu Brown Belt, not required but usually introduced at Brown Belt level, and 2nd Dan Black Belt. Well done on figuring this out.

Season 2 of Cobra Kai. They also made the beginning of Kanku Dai (japanese version of Kushanku) mixed with Seiyunchin.

You should do one on Sidekicks(staring Chuck Norris, Joe Piscopo, Jonathan Brandis, Mako, Beau Bridges, Julia Nickson)

The self-defense drill is the ending of seiyuchin funny enough. They also do a shitty kanku sho in the cobra kai series which isn't even a Goju kata lol

I studied tae kwon do for 7 yrs and instantly recognized when terry silver was throwing double round houses and spin kicks, of course this movie came out when i was about 8 or 9. But yes i recognized the kata terry was performing amd i believe it also came out in tekken 3. I agree with you on the katas as far as it not winning any comps or street fights but does building a base on how and when you can perform certain moves against attacking opponents as you have seen the difference in street fights and martial arts fights. Your opponents punches are not going to just go straight as you dodge so gota keep that in consideration as i learned that the hard way. 6th grade fight.... A kid out of nowhere jumps up from behind me. Now i was a striped orange belt at that time. So he yells as he forms this air attack like maneuver i quickly reacted by quick switching stance and round house to the knee while he was airborne. Then landed on face he got up i punched him in the stomach and he brings his hand up to punch at a diagonal angle i tried to duck thinking he would miss but he didnt instead i ducked in the direction he came down busting my nose . so instead i should of blocked or moved sideways. Lesson learned

Wow yeah I NEVER would have thought that was Koryo. Just goes to show you that even the things we know and love have major variations out there.

Some of Tekki/Naihanchi shows up in the much-reviled Next Karate Kid with Hilary Swank, too.

I love the analysis of the All Valley Tournament! "With minors" .... I lost it. 😂😂😂

I've never seen this version of Koryo in my life, and I've been doing Taekwondo for 17 years. But Tang Soo Do is an old school of Korean martial arts, so they probably have different and older versions of the forms. FYI, we call our forms "Poomsae," in Korean, as opposed to the Japanese "Kata." This is what the world standard Koryo looks like today: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZqzcqRk2XK0.html&ab_channel=MATTaekwondo

I think you did an excellent job researching and trying to match up the different katas! Did you happen to ever reach out to the writer of the story to see if he actually knows the katas ? That would be interesting to get his take on them as well. Great job!! I'm sure it took a lot of time to do.

I love your research sir.

Awesome shirt!!!!

Art Of One Dojo I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming, what I love most, is I learn things about the Martial Arts world! I love when you do classic video games and Martial Arts movies! Thanks for all you do!

very very cool

The one karate seminar i went to taught us Seiyunchin, funny, I had no idea. Unfortunately I don't remember it but I'll have to relearn it!

Great video as always. I believe you are correct in your assessment based on what you showed. I know that it is sort of separate from the other movies, but how about doing a review of The Karate Kid 4 with Hillary Swank. BTW I hope you are staying safe in Florida.

I'm late to the Cobra Kai series train but after seeing it on Netflix I can't get enough. I can't wait for Season 3. I was a fan of the original trilogy when I was a kid. I've loved seeing your videos on the type of Karate. I have always wondered where the name Cobra Kai came from? As far as I know there aren't any cobras in Japan or Korea. Could there be a clue in the name Cobra Kai? Per google search I found Kai in Korean means Victory, which seems to fit but no Cobras there. Just curious. Keep up the great content!

I really liked this video explaining the different Kata's that are either used or based on. Have a question does anyone know where I could get pictures showing a step by step for the Kata moves that Daniel uses in Karate Kid 3. If someone could let me know please.

Thanks a lot sensei Dan for finding the answer of my question..🙂 Oss!

I do believe the kata is based on Goju-ryu, but have some serious elements of Uechi-ryu concepts --They show the focus and breathing and linear movement of Goju-ryu, but more of a not as strong forced movements during basic kata, more similar to Uechi-ryus -Soft hard circular movement, But either way very similar systems over all and all very good in the directions they went.---Hey its Hollywood-they try to make everyone happy

Really nice and accurate video. In Cobra Kai S2 unfortunatly martial arts trainers didn't stay true to the Goju-Ryu-MiyagiDo style and Daniel Larusso performs and teachs Kusanku kata from other Okinawan styles and Shotokan japanese karate style, styles completly different from Goju-Ryu.

Without spoiling anything about season 3, we get a flashback that shows the foundation scenes how John Kresse learned his art.. The name is spoken...and I believe so was the master....

You're right with all the Goju Kata - Seiyunchin, Tensho, Shisochin.

I have performed some variations of the katas your mentioned as part of my Shotokan curriculum, and I agree with the video.

There is also a connection to Hakutsuru Kempo. The crane kick Daniel uses is from that system. Also, the posture is found in the Okinawa kata Rohai and the Shotokan kata Mekiyo.

In the 60's, 70's, and early 80's prior to John Rhee's popularization of sparing equipment usage in tournaments; what you see in the All Valley is how tournaments used to go.

Daniel: Does kata but then proceeds to do an aikido/judo throw XD

Great video! Can you do a similar one explaining the 'drum technique ' used at the end of Karate Kid II? I still can't quite figure it out!

Just finished watching Karate Kid Part III and this was in my recommended😂

I study Goju Ryu and agree that the first two kata are definitely Seinchun and Tensho. As for the last done by Miyagi, I believe we can’t really say for sure. Its a poor imitation and, Don’t forget, it may have been edited and be out of order. I did think ‘Shisochin’, but it also reminds me of the ending to ‘Saifa’ (which comes before Seinchun) since he is turning and reaching forward. After this step, some schools position their palms facing together at to the left at waist level while in mine we hold them at armpit level, elbows pointing front and back. It finishes with a circular block which could have easily been left out in the switch in camera angle. His waving arms might also point to a rare advanced kata, although I doubt that it is. Another interesting point to include is that in the second movie, Sato’s student has a Goju Ryu emblem on his gi when he comes in from the storm

4th Dan Okinawan Goju Ryu here.. the last one is from Shisochin. At first, it appears to be from Saifa, but looking closer, I noticed the rear grab that appears to be an elbow. Also, the kata Daniel has his Daughter and Robbie practicing on the round raft, is from Shorin Ryu and it's called Kusanku.

Pls cover the Cobra Kai katas too :D I mean there was only the pond one which is the Kanku Dai in Shotokan Karate (I don't know what it's called in Goju-Ryu)

Saw the original Karate Kid 17 times in the theaters!

You are definitely right. The turn and cover with the long hand before you nukitie jogi uke is definitely Shisochin.

What about looking at some of the military hand/hand styles WW2 soldier used to do

Thank you.

Nice!!! The last movement of self defense from the third movement comes from Saifa!

G’day. I think you’re guess of Shisōchin as the third kata is a good one based on the two videos shown. I performed the kata for my 4th Dan grading and recognise the sequence from it. Kind regards, Shihan Glen Archer (5th Dan Black Belt, Anderson Bushi Kai Karate)

You bring up a great point about the "wax on, wax off" (and by this, I'm referring to all the moves he teaches him) techniques coming from the Tensho kata. And yes, this isn't the exact way I learned it and there are a few versions, I can definitely see its roots. Has you considered that some of the "wax on, wax off" come from the kata Urban Han? I couldn't find a good video representation of how I learned it. The one I know opens to a bensoku dachi with "crane hands" to the sides. In the next move forward, there are six kakeye strikes that very closely resemble those that Miyagi Sensei teaches to Daniel.

The patch on Chozen's karategi is from Goju kai, is a mainland Japan Goju ryu style, the okinawan Goju ryu came first obviosly.

What a great video !!! Sisochin, tensho and that versión or Koryo I have never know!!! In karate kid 4 you can see Julie performing the kata Naihanchi In cobra kai season 2 Daniel teaches a versión of Kanku Dai( kushanku) mixed with seienchin...

COBRA Kai is actually a really good show can't wait for #3 to come out

I’ve seen the first Karate Kid movie but I never got to the second or third one. Definitely need to check out Cobra Kai! I’ve seen videos of it on RU-vid but haven’t fully seen the show.

I would love to see you guys going through the original Power Rangers cos there's definitely some real karate in there (and katas) but it would take a lot of digging to find each scene where it's used

Uechiryu Karate do is another Okinawan style. Im a 2nd degree black belt in Uechiryu I started my training when Karate kid started. When use wax on wax off. And paint the fence. They are basis of circle blocks. Look up Kanchin or Seinseiryu.

The "wheel technique" kata that Sam and robbie did in the second episode of season 2 actually looks influenced by the shotokan kata KWANKU, it looks seriously chopped up, but I when I was watching it, I seriously thought it was pieces of KWANKU.

I enjoyed watching these movies a lot as a kid. As an adult I end up doing Wing Chun instead of Karate. Maybe Karate will be next on the list.