The three Tekki kata were introduced by Anko Itosu who derrived them from from an older kata which he learned from a Chinaman from the village of Tomari.

The Tekki kata are all performed along a straight horizontal line using sideways stepping movements and entirely based in "kiba dachi" or horse-riding stance. It is partly from the use of this stance that the kata's name is derrived. "Tekki" is the japanese transcription of the okinawan name "Naihanchi" which can be best translated from the kanji characters as "iron horseman".

Tekki Nidan has some resemblance to Tekki Shodan, and includes some of the same techniques, but used in a different manner. It also includes a few other techniques such as an augmented sweeping block, augmented backfist and grapple, and roundhouse elbow strike.

There are two "Bassai" kata in Shotokan, and indeed in the Shotokai and Shito-Ryu systems of karate; a major (dai) and minor (sho). (Wadu Ryu practices a single form of Bassai). The Dai form of the kata probably originated in China and appears to have similar origins to Jion, Jiin, Empi, Jitte, and Chinte from the techniques used and especially the "yoi" or ready position (and variations of the position). This version, however, appears to have been created much later, probably by Anko Itosu.

The usual translation of "Bassai" is "to storm a fortress". The "Sho" form of the kata contains many smaller intricate movements and flowing techniques which form a sharp contrast with the force and power displayed in the "Dai"; form.