The following is a list of the twelve kata Taika Oyata learned from Shigeru Nakamura (1894-1969), the founder of Okinawan Kempo, and incorporated into Ryute® Karate.

Naihanchi (1-3) - "Fighting holding your ground"*. a.k.a. Tekki. 
Traditionally this kata is believed to be brought to Okinawa from China. It is also called Naifuanchin or Naihanchin. The original Naihanchi are believed to be several hundred years old. These kata are recognized by their use of the horse stance and lateral movement. They are also used to teach the fundamental techniques of karate. These kata were taught to Shigeru Nakamura by Chomo Hanashiro who learned them from "Bushi" Sokon Matsumura (1809-1901) and Yasutsune "Anko" Itosu (1830-1915).

Tomari** Seisan – "Thirteen". a.k.a. Hangetsu.
Like many kata practiced in the Ryukyu islands, it is impossible to tell where this particular kata originated. Probably the most credible history is that it was practiced by Ason, who it is said was a body guard for Chinese families or a military attaché. Ason taught this kata to Yoshihiro Sakiyama who taught it to Shinkichi Kuniyoshi who passed it on to Nakamura. This kata is good for developing fast and "heavy" hands as well as more aggressive footwork. This kata also makes use of the crane stance and side kicks. Versions of this kata are practiced in Shuri-te, Tomari-te and Naha-te.

Pinan (1-5) - "Peaceful mind". a.k.a Heian.
Created by Yasutsune "Anko" Itosu, a student of Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura, in the first decade of the 20th century to help teach martial arts to school children and larger groups of students than traditional instructors were accustomed. The kata Channan and Kusanku heavily influence the Pinan. It is said when Itosu had a student show a Pinan kata (probably Pinan Shodan) to Choki Motobu he said he knew the kata by the name Channan to which Itosu replied he had chosen to use the name Pinan. The five Pinan kata were taught to Nakamura by Chomo Hanashiro.

Passai – "To extract from a fortress"*. a.k.a Bassai. 
Nakamura learned this kata from Choyu Motobu (Choki Motobu’s older brother). Taika points out that Choyu Motobu practiced the Motobu family art which did not have kata in it. It is known, however, that Choyu Motobu also practiced with Itosu in his youth. Some also say he may have learned it from Hanashiro. He is likely to have had instruction is this kata from both masters. This kata is very old and practiced very widely in Okinawa. The name implies that you should develop an impenetrable defense against a formidable attacker or even a group of attackers.

Kusanku – a.k.a. Kosokun, Kanku, Kwanku.    This kata is named after a Chinese emissary, Kong Su Kung, who taught Quan Fa (Chinese boxing) to "To-te" Sakugawa and several others in the 1700’s. It is perhaps the most widely known kata in the world. This is the longest kata in the Ryute syllabus and has obvious Chinese influence. It is recognizable by its beginning when both hands form a large circle and also has a jumping kick at the end. Nakamura learned this kata from Hanashiro.

Niseishi -"Twenty-four". a.k.a Nijushiho.
Kitoku Arakaki (1840 – 1918) had trained in China for several years under Lau Loon Kon. He possibly learned Niseishi there or some say he created this kata over a span of about twenty years in the late 1800’s. Arakaki taught this kata to Kuniyoshi who was Nakamura’s instructor.

±  Taika also learned two kata from Wakinaguri-no-tanmei named Shiho Happo no Te and Shiho Miyo no Te.  Taika is the sole remaining source of these kata and providing pictures or video is strictly forbidden.

* Traditional translation. The original meaning has been lost to time.

** Kuniyoshi apparently considered himself to be a Tomari-te practitioner, which is why we call this Tomari Seisan.