Jion 慈恩 ("Mercy") is a representative kata in the Shotokan system because of the importance of the perfection of the basic stances it contains, notably zenkutsu dachi (front stance) and kiba dachi (horse stance).

This is the original name, and the character for it has appeared frequently in Chinese literature since ancient times. The Jion-ji is a famous old Buddhist temple, and there is a well-known Buddhist saint named Jion, The name suggests that the kata was introduced by someone identified with the Jion Temple, just as the name of the Shorin-ji Kempo is derived from its connection with the Shorin Temple.