Kata is a Japanese word meaning "form", "pattern", "model", or "mold" (Kodansha, 1999). In karate terms, a kata is a prescribed sequence of techniques against imaginary opponents. These techniques vary widely depending on the particular kata being practiced, but may include elements such as blocks, punches, strikes, smashes, throws, joint manipulations, and kicks executed from a variety of different stances. All of these techniques are performed in a standardized order moving according to a set of predefined footwork.
Similar to the practice of kihon, the number of individual kata practiced and the manner in which they are performed varies widely from style to style. However, independent of the style one is practicing, it is often possible to classify the study of kata into one of two distinct approaches. One of these approaches treats the study of kata as a performance art while the other approach assumes that each of the movements cataloged in the kata has some application to a "real-world" situation. Like everything else, the approach, or combination of approaches, taken in any particular club depends on the teacher at that club.
Below are links for all 26 katas of the Shotokan system. You can download the katas for future reference. There are several other sites on the web that you can look up by entering shotokan katas in the search criteria. I also have all the katas on a disc that you can take home and copy onto your computer or print out. If you want a copy ask me.
http://www.unh.edu/shotokan/kata.html
http://www.i-clps.com/karate/kata.html
http://home7.swipnet.se/~w-72482/page3.html
http://www.shotokankarate.ca/katakiaipoints.htm
http://www.cambridgekarate.org.uk/kata/index.htm
http://www.keithgeyerkarate.com
Kimio Nelson's fightingtigersMA's Home Page