analysis of kata for meaningful applications. Historically these were reputed to have been kept secret to prevent those without the rules from deciphering the meaning of the kata. The rule set used by Gōjū-ryū masters was known as Kaisai no genri. Similar but expanded and clarified rule sets have become available which are generally applicable to other styles of karate kata. Historical contention It has been claimed by martial arts historian Nathan Johnson that the few original antique kata found in karate were actually intended for weapons combat or (in one example) for grappling, as opposed to ballistic strikes. References Further reading Habersetzer, Roland. Shotokan Kata, Éditions Amphora, October 1990, Paris, France. Schmeisser, Elmar T. Bunkai: Secrets of Karate Kata - The Tekki Series, 2001, Tamashii Press. See also Karate kata Kihon External links Japanese martial arts terminology