SKNSpatial Kata Notation

Guide

How to read SKN

A top-down flow of moves. Each branch is one action: turn or step, then stance, technique, and an optional note.

The idea

Spatial Kata Notation (SKN) is a plain-text tree. You read from top to bottom. The header names the kata and starting orientation. Each + branch is one beat of the kata.

Header

====================================================================================================
KATA: Pinan Nidan (Shito-Ryu)
START: [0,0] Face N (^) | Musubi-dachi → Reigi (Bow) → Yoi (Heisoku-dachi)
====================================================================================================
  • KATA: name and style/school reading
  • START: floor origin [0,0], initial facing, and opening etiquette

One move

+-- [STEP → N] -------------- (Face: N)
|   ├─ Stance : [R] Z-D
|   ├─ Action : Right Age-uke (J)
|   └─ Key: Rise under attack angle
  • Movement: [STEP → N],[MAWATTE → W], or [SLIDE → E]
  • Face: compass facing after the move (not floor coordinates)
  • Stance: lead side [L]/[R] plus stance code
  • Action: technique name and height (J/C/G)
  • Optional line: Note, Key,Target, Kiai, or Bunkai

Multi-beat moves

Some transitions are two actions under one turn or step. Nest them asBeat 1 / Beat 2 with their own Action lines:

+-- [MAWATTE → E] ----------- (Face: E)
|   ├─ Beat 1 : [R] Z-D
|   │   └─ Action : Right Gedan-barai (G)
|   ├─ Beat 2 : Pull back into [R] N-D
|   │   └─ Action : Right Tetsui Otoshi-uchi / Otoshi-uke (C)
|   └─ Note: Distinct two-part transition

Refinements from the first draft

The tree format stays. A few labels are tightened so humans (and future tools) read them the same way:

  • (Position: W) became (Face: W): it was always facing, not a grid cell
  • [TURN 90° W] became [MAWATTE → W]: destination facing first; depth/degrees only when useful (· deep, · 90°)
  • Freeform tags collapsed to a small set: Note, Key, Target, Kiai, Bunkai

Compass

Relative to the starting line of the kata: N is the opening forward direction. S is behind you at yoi. Diagonals use NE NW SE SW. Facing glyphs:^ N, v S, > E, < W.

Floor coordinates like [0,0] are optional markers forembusen discussion. Most sheets only need Face + STEP/MAWATTE.

Next: the full notation key, the completePinan Nidan example, or thepractice generator.