The Hidden Techniques in Kata

[kule_guy17]

im not sure if this would apply to everyone, but I am studying a form of karate called suzucho-shotokan karate-do, which is a branch off of shotokan (i think), and therefore we study shotokan's kata.

 

im sure many have already realized that kata isn't only a method of practicing proper structure and looking fancy. there are alot of hidden techniques and principals in kata that are revealed to you the more you practice your karate.

 

anyways, i thought i would make a topic and get some contributions on people's interpretations of kata and what it teaches. i'll begin, to show example:

 

all kata: first move is always a block. trains the mind and body in self-defense.

 

tai kyu ku sho dan (sp?) : basically one of the simplest kata, much resembling heian shodan. teaches the basics of movement and stance. also teaches turning, which is an extremely important part of fighting. some people can only fight if they are facing their opponent. this kata helps to overcome that weakness. if you have ever fought against some forms of kung fu in which disorienting and un-balancing the opponent is a key priority, you'll understand the importance of this kata.

 

the tekki kata's: not sure myself, someone mentioned it has the guard (grappling tech) hidden in it. i can't really say though, since i've only done this kata a few times. any comments on this?

 

kankusho: this must be my favourite kata. not only does it look nice, but it allows me to work on hip movement which is essential for power generation in techniques. alot of kata also require the use of hip movement, but for me, this one in particular allows me to easily practice it. if you perform this kata, i think you'll know what i mean.

 

anyone else care to contribute their interpretations/knowledge of kata?

 

-peace and respects.

[cross]

This is a very good post.

 

One of the best things about kata is that the application can be as simple or has complicated as the practisioner can handle.

[tommarker]

another philosophy..

 

first move is not a block, it is completely demolishing everything that lies in its path.

[kempocos]

these are not hidden techniques, rather the original intent of the OKINAWIAN creators of them. There is a saying that another board member uses ,

 

A BLOCK IS A STRIKE IS A LOCK IS A THROW

 

The KATA'S you mentioned the TAIKI- series is full of great grapppling techniques, and of the turn is indicating a possable throw. This BUNKI view opens up alot of vital point strikes / pressaure point strikes ( kyusho)and grappling / joint manipulation (TUITE).

 

When KARATE was brought from OKINAWA to JAPAN by Funakoshi much of this direction was changed to make it more vuisually appealing for compition.

 

If you read about another KARATE pioneer Choki Motobu you will read about some of the same style debates that still are around today. To this I would say keep an open mind look at each major movemnet on its own and not part of a sequence, apply it to many attacks and you will see all the differant things the movements can be ssuch as what is refered to as a down block can mean, example pulling the right hand to the hip while down block could mean the following attacker cross hand grabs your wrist, roll your wrist and regrab and pull arm to hip with left hand reach up and grab hair pulling head back on a 45 degree angle pulling it down as you turn pulling the attacker down.

[kule_guy17]

hm.. interesting. I've always taken the first move of each kata as a block.

 

by hidden techniques, i basically meant pplications of the kata that are not obvious.

 

the taiki series if full of grappling?? i always understood the turning to represent meeting another opponent. reasoning: after you block, you attack, then turn. although the turn could be throwing that same opponent, you have already striked that opponent, so it is also a possibility that you are attacking some other opponent.

 

hard to explain with words o_0

 

im probably going to discuss some more kata techniques more tomorrow, since the ones i wrote are jus basic things, nothing special. feel free to contribute everyone.

 

-peace and respects.

[kempocos]

I have seen that version, it is a very popular SHOTOKAN breakdown, and a valid one. My main point is that the movements have more than one meaning. If you look you will that the same KATA names in many styles , it is the breakdown that seperates the styles. Question during the breakdown you state you block , punch, turn to address second attacker my question is this DO YOU THINK A SINGLE PUNCH WILL END THE FIRST ATTACK?

 

Not what you have been told, but from hard sparring and watching boxing and fights. This leaves two options keep fighting and have the second person get in on you or you turn , but if the first is not done they will get you. Mulitple attackers it would be better to move around the first while fighting and put him between you and the next fighting one at a tiime.

[tommarker]

Kule_guy17,

 

I have a book at home that explains the entire naihanchi/tekki series as a two man joint lock form. I don't know the name of it offhand...

[tommarker]

That didn't take long..

 

"Barefoot Zen: The Shaolin Roots of Kung Fu and Karate." by Nathan Johnson

[kempocos]

Looks good , Thanks for the heads up on the book.

[aefibird]

One of the explanations that my instructor uses for Taikyouku Shodan (I can't spell it - we call it Kihon kata in my association!) is that it isn't a 'block then punch then turn to face another opponent' but that it is a series of moves that can be taken out and applied as separate techniques.

 

For example, the turns in T. Shodan could be explained as a possible throw or sweep.

 

Also my instructor feels that another explanation for T. Shodan is as a training kata to help beginners to get used to basic blocking and punching. He also says that the block-punch combination is the start of a series of other moves, not shown in the kata. The block could also be interpreted as a strike or the start of a grabbing technique.

 

He's got other explanations for the movements in T. Shodan, but I'll have to ask him the others, I can't quite remember them at the moment.

 

That was a very bad explanation; sometimes its really hard to put stuff that you know well into words.