swadoryu2000

I think the last moves (after the 3 soto uke's) could be striking with the last uke, bringing his head in for an elbow smash, then kneeing him in the head.

I have found an interesting section on the subject, in terms of kata. It is written by Kenwa Mabuni, but translated by Mark Tankosich. I liked this short discussion, as some of the things they talk about can be useful. http://seinenkai.com/articles/tankosich/tankosich3.html

Ok, I think this is really stupid. Mainly because it sounds to me it is giving the art of karate-do a bad name. This ''master'' seems to put his ego in front of everything, even his karate. This kind of attitude is disrespectful, and it shows he has no respect for karate-do. Another thing, the article mentions an '' ultimate form of karate''. This is also stupid, because any devoted, intelligent karateka would know there is no such thing. All styles have their own unique attributes to one another. Sure, it may be different, but that doesn't make it ''superior''. If he wanted to test his abilities, he can always go to a tournament. In my honest opinion, this said ''master'' needs to realize what he is doing is not only dangerous, but a idiotic way to ''attract more people to train Kenkyóturüy III –karatejutsu''.

I agree with both you and unknownstyle, especially about meaning on the kata. If you go by what your instructor says about a particualr kata verbatum, it isn't really that ''special''. You gotta find understanding on a different level on your own (bunkai-wise). That is what makes kata ''special'' (I guess it's a good way to put it) and unique. So we have gotten some pretty interesting bunkai for that move. So what about the next moves? For me, after we have finished in the Gyaku-neko-ashi-dachi, we would turn 45 degrees (facing the back left corner) into a short neiko ashi dachi (left foot foward) with a chudan soto uke with the left hand. Then, we progress with a mae geri and a double chudan tsuki. I can see this as a hip toss turning 45 degrees, kicking him on the ground, and holding him down with one hand, and punching him with the other. Or you coud be just blocking someone's middle punch, pulling it in as you kick, and double punching him. What do you all think?

Yeah, I can see how it can be a block and a grab. The next move for me (after I have done the same block/kick/strike on the right side) is basically what Fish said, but instead of a uraken, we teach it as a chudan soto uke (although I can see it as a uraken...kicking the opponent, then comming down on his head with an uraken). Or someone could be comming in with a jodan tsuki, then you could be kicking him, and pulling in his punch with your left and striking him with the right hand.

Interesting, tallgeese. I can't think of any other bunkai for that particular move, although I can see how it can be a strike to the neck area and along the nerves and stuff. Ok, how about the next series of moves? In Pinan Yodan, the move after the block/strike/call it whatever, you pull up with your left leg, and your right hand is in pullback position, and the left hand is over your right. The next three moves is one count (that's the way I do it). With your left, perform a gedan barai, mae geri with your left, step out in zenkutsu dachi (left leg foward, facing the left), with an empi uchi with your right. Describing it is a little hard for me, so I did the best I can. I have always seen this as blocking a kick, kicking them, and following up with an elbow strike. How do yall see it?

Yeah, I have attended some of Tatsuo Suzukis' seminars. Extremely talented man!

In my opinion, it's important to have a balance between kata and bunkai. I don't think one should do the kata unless they at least know what he/she is doing for some of the moves. And if he/she doesn't, he/she should ask. Kata itself is important becuase without karate training, all you have is tricks and atheletics and what-not. But this is just my opinion.

Well, I think everyone has their own reasons for performing kata, whether it be physical, or mental, or whatever. It is a good video Wa-No-Michi suggested...very insightful. It's good to have an open mind--not just for martial arts, but for other things too.

This is a great attitude to have overall. I think this displays the ''indomitable spirit'' within karate-do. I'm sure your sensei is proud to have you as his student!

Hmm...it would have to be Bassai. Very dynamic kata.

Cool. Interesting bunkai, DWx!

Cool! I see him in shiko dachi, although it is hard to tell from that angle. When I go to the dojo today, I'll ask some questions regarding why we do it differnently. But part of it is what Wa-No-Michi said, ''continually evolving''. But anyways, it is a great kata. I like it either way. OSU!

Yeah, the move after that is a kiai for me. I agree...that jump is hard to get it down right. I personally don't have a problem with it, but I did when first learning that kata. I land facing sideways too, but when I land, I keep by back straight.

Ha wow...I like this one. Truly living on ''the edge''!

Yeah. True, I guess. But either way, it is a good kata. I like it.

In Naihanchi and Pinan Sandan, we are taught to do kiba dachi with the feet pointing foward.

These are Wado-Ryu katas that I currently know: Kihon Kata Shodan Kihon Kata Nidan Kihon Kata Mae Geri Shodan Kihon Kata Sandan Pinan Nidan Pinan Shodan Pinan Sandan Pinan Yodan Pinan Godan Niahanchi Kushanku Bassai Wanshu Jion Gojushiho (it isn't a Wado-Ryu kata; I have a friend who takes Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu and taught me this kata.) OSU!

Ok, I'll ask next time I'm in the dojo. Wasn't aware about this, but I know a key aspect of Wado-Ryu is the concept of tai sabaki. We practice Ippon kumite, Ohyo kumite, and Jiyu kumite. Another Senpai and I of the dojo went to a karate camp and learned some Kihon kumite drills, but have not yet taught it to anyone in the classes.

I can see it as a jump, Wa-No-Michi. Someone could be leg sweeping you (not sure if that's what you call it), and you could be jumping over that and comming down and striking the opponent (lower juji uke in the kata). Interesting bunkai. Maybe after the throw, the next move (lower juji uke in the kata) can be striking him, making sure he doesn't get up, and the move after that is on to a new opponent. Good thing about kata there is no ''only one'' bunkai.

You have a point there, Wa-No-Michi about the shiko dachi. It doesn't put too mch pressure on the knees since the feet are at an angle, and the fact it may be smoother. I have not learned that stance in any of my kata's (yet), but kiba dachi, shiko dachi, however you do it, it is fine. Because if you apply a bunkai to the particular move with either stance (the middle part near the end in Pinan Sandan, for example), I would imagine a 45 degree angle of the feet would not make too much of a difference for it to be concerned. But I may be wrong on that part.

Sean, has this interfered at all with your kicking abililty? I don't think it affects punching, but I saw an MMA video in which the MM artist said he took a stance different from the boxer (a bit more of the body exposed) because he was concerned about his ability to kick, even though he exposed more of himself. (Big guy, too; made for a bigger target.) It does with a mae geri and the mawashi geri, because I would have to twist my body foward and my support leg cannot be at the side-stance position because I can injure it that way (for the mae geri). And for the mawashi geri I will not have the momentum and power to perform it if I was in a side stance.But the yoko geri and the ushiro geri, those kicks are fine. So yes, they do interfere with my kicking ability, but to an extent.

Cool! Never heard of that art, joesteph. I guess it isn't too well known where I live. But it sounds interesting. Aikido sounds very fun, bushido_man96. I have been looking at videos on Aikido, and I like the way they use the opponents' momentum and body movement instead of their own. If I start another martial art, it will be Aikido for sure.

Yes, I agree with you. I definately can see that as a throw. Training-wise, I guess we are taught to do a throw, but I was just scrapping up ideas as to what else can be done. For some reason, I always pick something out, find a bunkai, and say ''There has to be another way to do this move!'' heh. But I guess some moves has very limited bunkai as to what can be applied, and this particular jump may very well be one of them.

Yes! That is an excellent way to put it. It's a good way to visualize your opponent without worrying where a certain action is comming from. In terms of DWx's opinion about blinking: I got a story about that, matter of fact. One night I was sparring one of the taller Senpai's, and he came in with a jab-gyaku tsuki combination. It wasn't the jab that caught my eye, but his thumbnail nicked my eye. Ha I kick myself because I wasn't quite quick enough at the time to block it, but I was quick enough to blink and avoid being cut on my eyeball, but above my eyelid. So blinking can help, hehe. But I wouldn't advise to do too much, because your opponent might be quick enough to catch you doing it and attack you, and landing that attack.