Amanogawa 天の川 is an intermediate kata that introduces single blade techniques for weapons use, especially daito, shoto and tanto. Its name means literally, "River of Heaven". As its name suggests, the kata is focused on developing a continuous flow (nagare) of technique that runs like a river. Amanogawa can also be done barehand, but this is less common. The kata has a secondary use as a platform for introducing various footwork variations (different alternative footwork patterns applied with a single technique).

Ayumite Shodan 歩み手初段 is a foundational footwork kata, and is typically the first kata that new practitioners learn. The Shodan version does not have any techniques in it, but the same footwork is used in the Nidan and Sandan versions, which do. Ayumite Shodan is often described as the "unlocking kata" since it is like a key that unlocks the hidden bunkai of most of the other kata.

Ayumite Nidan 歩み手弐段 is a foundational kata that combines the footwork from Ayumite Shodan with punching techniques, especially Toridashi (straights) and Dagekite (hooks). There are also numerous hidden techniques in the form that practitioners learn the bunkai for at more advanced levels.

Ayumite Sandan 歩み手参段 is an intermediate kata that combines the footwork from Ayumite Shodan with Samatage methods from Hikiko. It is the first kata that shows something approaching realistic usage of samatage.

Ayumite Yondan 歩み手四段 is an intermediate to advanced kata that introduces a range of escaping footwork and body positional work that are used to get out of throws/takedowns etc. By itself it has no offensive techniques, but is intended to be combined with other things in practical application.

Bunkai 分解 are the practical applications of techniques from the kata. Bunkai are extremely important in Mishima Kempo to the extent that a practitioner is not considered to "know" any given kata until they can demonstrate complete bunkai for every movement in it. In many respects the bunkai are the kata, and the solo form is secondary.

Dagekite 打撃手 is one of the six basic striking techniques and is the most representative technique of Mishima Kempo. It appears in many different forms in the majority of the kata.

Daito 大刀 is the Japanese long sword, more commonly called a "katana".

Hikiko 秘鬼鬨 is an intermediate kata that includes techniques focused around the principle of Samatage, or hindering. The kata's name means something like "Hidden Demon's War Cry", and it is considered one of Mishima Kempo's best and most representative kata.

Kishute 奇襲手 is the distinctive "whipping front kick/knee strike" of Mishima Kempo. Its name means something like "surprise attack".

Kunisazuchi 国狭槌 is an advanced double blade and barehand kata. The name of the form refers to a kami that was associated in ancient times with Mt. Kongo in Yoshino in Yamato province (present-day Nara Prefecture).

Kunitokotachi 国常立 is an advanced kata, and is the primary staff (rokushakubo) and spear (yari) kata of Mishima Kempo.

Muchi 鞭 is the name of both a technique and a traditional weapon. It literally means "whip". The technique is common in the intermediate/advanced kata and bunkai, and is therefore a characteristic of Mishima Kempo.

Oyamazumi 大山積神 is a modern beginners kata. Also known as the "white belt kata", it includes basic Kempo movements in an open, un-obscured fashion (unlike the traditional kata which tend to hide the true bunkai of movements in the interests of secrecy).

Reishiken 黎髭拳 is an advanced kata as well as a whole self-contained Kempo style in its own right. It is a longer range fighting style than most Kempo systems which tend to work at middle to close range. Reishiken is learned by advanced practitioners to pick up a different way of fighting that gives a contrast to the rest of Mishima Kempo. Despite having only one (long) kata the system is extensive and makes use of short/heavy traditional weapons like the jutte, sai, ishi-sashi, sui, ryusei, zokyo and tessen - it also has its own staff techniques that are different from those found in the rest of Mishima Kempo.

Samatage 妨げ is one of the foundational principles of Mishima Kempo - it means "hindering" and refers to limiting the opponent's scope of action.

Sashi 刺し is one of the six basic techniques of Mishima Kempo. Like Dagekite, it is a very versatile method that can be done as a punch, chop, hammer fist, elbow, forearm strike, shoulder barge or headbutt. It is also used to break through the opponent's guard using indirect force.

Sengen 先源 is a foundational kata that contains the three basic hand techniques (toridashi, sashi and dagekite) and three basic kicks (kishute, gaisoku and kaite-moguri). The kata also introduces hikidashi as an attacking technique. Sengen is focused on developing striking ability and is intended to be combined with the footwork from Ayumite Shodan in practical applicaiton. Sengen means the "source of a stream".

Shizumi 沈み Sinking/body-drop/ducking.

Shoto 小刀 is the Japanese short sword, more commonly called a "wakazashi".

Shudatte 手脱手 is one of the sparring systems of Mishima Kempo. It is related to Sumo and develops defences against throws, take-downs and locks. Shudatte means "Hand Disengagement Techniques". There are various armed variants including Todatte - tanto, Kendatte - sword, Sodatte - spear and Bodatte - staff.

Tanto 短刀 is a short bladed weapon, shorter than a Shoto. Tanto skill is a strong theme of Mishima Kempo, and a lot of effort is devoted to mastering the use of this traditional weapon. Note that Mishima Kempo focuses on the use of Tanto against Tanto - the practice of "knife disarms", while included, is not a big focus as they are not considered effective or realistic in general. This is because in reality it is virtually impossible to defend barehand against a skilled practitioner who is using a Tanto, though there is some slight possibility in situations with a large skill level mismatch.

Tengei 天芸 is a rare and somewhat secretive style of Kempo that is taught to advanced students above 5th Dan. Tengei is a vast subject and has application in many areas that go far outside of what would be typically understood as "martial arts".

Toridashi 取り出し is one of the six basic striking techniques of Mishima Kempo. It is usually, but not always done as a punch. The full name is "Shinju-no-Toridashi" (真珠の取り出し), which means "pulling out a pearl" , but is usually abbreviated to "Toridashi".