SHOTOKAN KATA

[cathal]

I agree with alsey, I too find the whole "night kata" to be somewhat interesting, to say the least.

Why would you want to get on the ground in the first place? Surely that is an easy way for your attacker to take advantage of you....

In many applications the drop is to avoid a bo or edged weapon attack, assuming you didn't have enough time to shift out of range, or parry.

[ps1]

I agree with alsey, I too find the whole "night kata" to be somewhat interesting, to say the least.

Why would you want to get on the ground in the first place? Surely that is an easy way for your attacker to take advantage of you....

Again I preface this by saying I've never seen this bunkai before.

That said, moving closer to the ground moves the horizon to eye level. This allows you to identify sillouettes (targets). This is used all the time in the military. It also makes you less likely to be a target of projectile weapons (arrows, and nowadays...bullets). Additionally, for an opponent who is standing in a low light environment, it's more difficult to find an opponent that is in a low profile. It seems to me that anyone who's ever served in a war time environment should be able to respect that.

This is not to say that the kata can only be done at night...just that it also has application for fighting at night/ low light.

[GOM]

I agree with alsey, I too find the whole "night kata" to be somewhat interesting, to say the least.

Why would you want to get on the ground in the first place? Surely that is an easy way for your attacker to take advantage of you....

In many applications the drop is to avoid a bo or edged weapon attack, assuming you didn't have enough time to shift out of range, or parry.

Ok, when would someone attack you with a bo or an edged weapon?

Applications (bunkai, oyo) of kata are for self-defense, when there is no other alternative than to defend yourself or our loved one/s. Applications are meant for the street, in street situations, not against trained fighters or kobudo practitioners.

[GOM]

I agree with alsey, I too find the whole "night kata" to be somewhat interesting, to say the least.

Why would you want to get on the ground in the first place? Surely that is an easy way for your attacker to take advantage of you....

Again I preface this by saying I've never seen this bunkai before.

That said, moving closer to the ground moves the horizon to eye level. This allows you to identify sillouettes (targets). This is used all the time in the military. It also makes you less likely to be a target of projectile weapons (arrows, and nowadays...bullets). Additionally, for an opponent who is standing in a low light environment, it's more difficult to find an opponent that is in a low profile. It seems to me that anyone who's ever served in a war time environment should be able to respect that.

Self-defense is not war. As I said in my previous post, applications of kata are for self preservation, not fighting.

[Yasutsune Makoto]

for the same motion, maybe it isn't a technique to be used in a fight, but something to be practiced as an idea...

What if the focus isn't on the drop, but on the quickness of raising up. In this case, it might be that the focus of that motion is to quickly ready yourself for the next technique, even when you are knocked down.

However, I always thought of the drop as a manner to take someone down to the ground while escaping someone else...and then returning right to the battle.

[alsey]

Applications (bunkai, oyo) of kata are for self-defense, when there is no other alternative than to defend yourself or our loved one/s. Applications are meant for the street, in street situations, not against trained fighters or kobudo practitioners.

very good point. however, it probably wouldn't have been that uncommon for a street thug in okinawa to carry a staff of some sort.

[ps1]

I agree with alsey, I too find the whole "night kata" to be somewhat interesting, to say the least.

Why would you want to get on the ground in the first place? Surely that is an easy way for your attacker to take advantage of you....

Again I preface this by saying I've never seen this bunkai before.

That said, moving closer to the ground moves the horizon to eye level. This allows you to identify sillouettes (targets). This is used all the time in the military. It also makes you less likely to be a target of projectile weapons (arrows, and nowadays...bullets). Additionally, for an opponent who is standing in a low light environment, it's more difficult to find an opponent that is in a low profile. It seems to me that anyone who's ever served in a war time environment should be able to respect that.

Self-defense is not war. As I said in my previous post, applications of kata are for self preservation, not fighting.

Uhh...Yeah. They certianly come from the ancient warriors of Japan (among others). They are taught to militaries all over the world. The word Martial translates to "of or pertaining to war." Why would you think it's only for self defense for your average person?

[ps1]

for the same motion, maybe it isn't a technique to be used in a fight, but something to be practiced as an idea...

What if the focus isn't on the drop, but on the quickness of raising up. In this case, it might be that the focus of that motion is to quickly ready yourself for the next technique, even when you are knocked down.

However, I always thought of the drop as a manner to take someone down to the ground while escaping someone else...and then returning right to the battle.

Good points.

[GOM]

I agree with alsey, I too find the whole "night kata" to be somewhat interesting, to say the least.

Why would you want to get on the ground in the first place? Surely that is an easy way for your attacker to take advantage of you....

Again I preface this by saying I've never seen this bunkai before.

That said, moving closer to the ground moves the horizon to eye level. This allows you to identify sillouettes (targets). This is used all the time in the military. It also makes you less likely to be a target of projectile weapons (arrows, and nowadays...bullets). Additionally, for an opponent who is standing in a low light environment, it's more difficult to find an opponent that is in a low profile. It seems to me that anyone who's ever served in a war time environment should be able to respect that.

Self-defense is not war. As I said in my previous post, applications of kata are for self preservation, not fighting.

Uhh...Yeah. They certianly come from the ancient warriors of Japan (among others). They are taught to militaries all over the world. The word Martial translates to "of or pertaining to war." Why would you think it's only for self defense for your average person?

We are talking about karate and kata applications. The kata applications found in every kata are to be used for self-defense, not war.

[ps1]

We are talking about karate and kata applications. The kata applications found in every kata are to be used for self-defense, not war.

What do you think they were used for? Centuries prior to the Meiji restoration, the same techniques were utilized and developed in and for war. This is fact that is backed up by historical documents. Funakoshi's family and teachers were all of the warrior class, they killed for more than just self defense. You don't have to like it, but it's true.

Your system is listed as karate-jutsu. This is the art of the empty hand. The switch from "do" to "jutsu" usually indicates that a system is geared more toward the warrior methonds. In ancient times, that's exactly what it indicated. Jutsu, as you know, meaning "art," pointed out that all facets of the prefix were studied. Whereas do, meaning way (again I'm sure you know this all too well) means "path" or "way." The "jutsu" arts were those practiced by the warriors for war time use. The "do" arts were practiced by others and were infused with Confusian and Shinto thought.

While, in the ideal world, Karate's purpose would be to soothe the soul, find peace and only be used in self defense, this is not that ideal world. You don't have to like it, but Karate is very much used in war Sadly.