Jion (Named for the Temple, Jion-Ji)

The Jion kata’s roots stretch back to the Jion Temple, where accomplished martial Buddhist monks lived. The opening movements of the kata and several of the motions and stances still seem similar to those used in Kung Fu styles.

Jion contains 47 moves, and it’s the second-longest Shotokan karate kata you’ll learn while you’re a brown belt. However, it’s important to master it since it may be one of your grading kata through to 3rd Dan.