About This Kata
| Name | Jitte [十手] |
| Translation | Ten Hands |
| Style | Shotokan |
| History | Jitte is one of the three ‘Temple Kata’ in Shotokan alongside Jion and Jiin. The name means ‘Ten Hands’, combining jū (ten) and te (hands). Some also believe the name references the jitte weapon used by Edo-period police, and the kata’s open-handed techniques may symbolically evoke weapon control or defence against armed attackers. Like the other Temple Kata, its precise origins point to the Tomari-te tradition, influenced by both Shuri-te and Chinese Quanfa. The forms share similar opening salutations, related performance lines, and a tone of stillness, strength, and mental clarity. Itosu Ankō is credited with preserving or adapting the forms. |
| Lineage | Tomari-te School → Itosu Ankō (Shuri-te) → Gichin Funakoshi (Shōtōkan) |
Ten Hands (Shotokan Kata)
