Okinawan Goju Ryu Kenkyu Kai
Kata

Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni use the same kanji (Chinese language calligraphy) for the first three characters of the name. The difference in the names of the kata are found only in that one is number one and the other is number two. These kata were developed before 1940 and their relative simplicity was to help spread goju to the public.  The literal meaning is to "attack and smash."

Saifa kata uses the same kanji found in gekisai kata. The second portion of the name is traditionally pronounced "ha." but due to the Okinawan influence, it is pronounced "fa," giving us saifa. It means to "smash or beat."  There are several bottom-fist and back-fist strikes in saifa, which is a more aggressive kata.

Seiyunchin kata once again uses the "chin" of Sanchin kata. In this case it is combined with sei and yun (also pronounced "in") to form the name seiyunchin. It means "to pull off balance and fight."

Shisochin also uses the same kanji for "chin" as in Sanchin. In this case it is combined with the kanji shi (four) and so redirection) to form shisochin or "four-face battle."

Sanseiru represents the number thirty-six (6x6=36). The first six represents the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and spirit;  the second six represents color, voice, taste, smell, touch, and justice.  Sanseru develops low kicks and double hand techniques. (nidan level)

Sepai represents the number eighteen (3x6=18).   The six in this case is the same as the second six in sanseru (color, voice, taste, smell, touch,  and justice) , while the three represents good, bad and peace. Sepai is made up of a variety of unusual hand, foot and body techniques. (sandan level)

Kururunfa was handed down to us from Ryu Ryu Ko Sensei to Higaonna Kanryo Sensei, but the original creator of this kata is unknown. Kururunfa contains a wide variety of open-hand techniques and especially hand/hip coordination techniques. (yondan level)

Sesan represents the number thirteen. Thirteen is a prime number, and in China is a number representing good luck and prosperity. Sesan is an aesthetic kata epitomizing the ideals of goju-ryu by utilizing a number of hard and soft techniques. (godan level)

Suparinpei represents the number 108 (3x36=108) and has special significance in Buddhism. It is believed that man has 108 evil passions and so in Buddhist temples on December 31, at the stroke of midnight, a bell is rung 108 times to drive away those spirits. The number 108 is calculated from 36 x 3. The symbolism of the number 36 is the same as in sanseru (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and spirit; color, voice, taste, smell, touch, and justice). Suparinpei is goju-ryu's longest kata. It utilizes a large number of techniques, including breath control, and it contains the greatest number of applications and depth of meaning. (rokudan level)

Sanchin. The first kanji  is san and means three. The second kanji is chin and today it means "battle."  Higaonna Morio Sensei once explained that the original meaning of chin in reference to goju-ryu kata meant "spear hand or spear head." As we know, the three battles-sanchin-are of the mind, the body and the spirit.  Combined in sanchin kata, we find peace of mind, body and spirit only if worked properly and under proper instruction. To amplify the kata Sanchin, it should be noted that there are, in fact, two forms used in Okinawan Goju. The oldest is that taught by Higaonna Kanryo Sensei which includes a turning method as well as a slightly different breathing pattern. The second version was developed by Miyagi Chojun Sensei and it is performed while facing forward only. The breathing, both inhalation and exhalation, are slower as are the individual movements within the kata.

Tensho is a relatively new kata and was created by Miyagi Chojun Sensei. The name "tensho" literally means "rotating palms" and is also know as "rokkisho" (six-machine-palm). It is a high level breath control and hand technique kata. (sandan level)

Following are the Kata and references to them, as interpreted by O'Hara Sensei:

Sanchin- Three Battles

Tensho- Rotating palms

Gekisai dai ichi- To attack and subdue with closed hands.

Gekisai dai ni- To attack and subdue with open hands.

Saifa- To smash into pieces and destroy. Evidence from other Chinese disciplines shows Saifa to be one of the oldest of the classical kata.

Seiyunchin- To grab and pull off balance toward the defender. This kata develops low stances and strong legs.

Shisochin- To defeat attacks from four sides (defender is surrounded).

Sanseiru- 36 hand positions.

Sepai- 18 hand positions.

Seisan- 13 hand positions.

Kururunfa- To remain still, then quickly attack and destroy.

Suparenpei- This kata represents the 108 evil passions of man and his effort to conquer them.

Because of the disagreement concerning the meaning of the Chinese characters (Kanji), exact translations are difficult. Furthermore, these characters may differ in meaning according to variable syntax. Only those kata with numbers can be specifically defined and at that, only as the numbers exist and any esoteric references with these numbers can only be conjecture.

It can be said that only at the time of the creation of the kata could the true meaning be known. Time, translation and personal opinion have probably caused the exact meaning to be lost for us in our time. It can also be said , with some degree of confidence, that there are other, more complex kata that are not included in the body of knowledge expressed in the thirteen extant kata of Goju Ryu. It is likely that the very length and complexity of these "lost" kata were not included because they would make the system far more intricate and difficult to learn, or perhaps they contained material meant to be secret and guarded from the general public.
The kata, to be fulfilling, begs that the performer perform with the meaning in mind.