kata

Where does the word "kata" come from? It comes from Japanese kata, and was adopted directly into English (20th century).

Kata’s story begins in Japanese: kata meant “a form; a set pattern of movements.” Named a fixed sequence of movements used to formally practice a martial art. It reached English by 20th century as kata. Borrowed alongside karate and judo instruction as they spread to the West. Today, kata means a formal, prescribed sequence of movements practiced in a martial art.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · medieval kata "a form; a set pattern of movements", named a fixed sequence of movements used to formally practice a martial art.
2. Stage 2 · English · 20th century kata "a prescribed sequence of martial-arts movements practiced solo", borrowed alongside karate and judo instruction as they spread to the West.