It consists of 21 techniques originally belonging to the Takenaka-ha [1] Kito School of jujutsu.

Jigoro Kano revised the techniques and incorporated them into a kata in order to preserve the historical source of judo.

The set of forms is antique and were intended for "Kumiuchi", the grappling of armored warriors in the feudal ages.

[2] The Koshiki-no-kata, together with Nage-no-kata, Katame-no-kata, Ju-no-kata, Kime-no-kata and Goshin-Jitsu, is recognised by the International Judo Federation (IJF.

Some striking demonstrations of it from the 1950s can be seen in the film "Classic Judo Kata," by Harold Sharp.