Abernethy's interpretation of kata segment

[Shizentai]

TBH, it is pretty broadly recognised, that the whole "you must know Bunkai" thing has been driven by Shotokan practitioners - looking at traditional Okinawan styles like Goju-ryu - and trying to fill in the gaps.

no need to belittle other ryu. Funakoshi Gichin was an Okinawan too you know. He was also all for giving respect to all branches of karate equally, and learning from them what we can at all times.

What about that is not traditional, Okinawan or for that matter productive?

TBH, I say it hits all three points well.

Also, thanks for posting the video.

[joesteph]

Mr IA has conveniently plugged that gap, but at what cost?

I've profited from Iain Abernethy's interpretations/demonstrations. If others have different interpretations, sharing insights is welcome.

[Chitsu]

no need to belittle other ryu. Funakoshi Gichin was an Okinawan too you know. He was also all for giving respect to all branches of karate equally, and learning from them what we can at all times.

What about that is not traditional, Okinawan or for that matter productive?

TBH, I say it hits all three points well.

I wasn't belittling any other style of martial art - or at least it was not my intention.

I was simply reiterating what I thought was a fairly well recognised fact.

Shotokan is a great system, but it is my understanding that what is practiced today, is far removed from the karate that Funakoshi brought to mainland Japan. In the most part, the low dynamic techniques (for which Shotokan is famed) were largely introduced by his son Gigo.

The methods he introduced were quite "un-typical" of the Okinawan tode from which his fathers teachings evolved.

By modifying things as fundamental as stances, you inevitably change the approach and benefits of the movement. In doing so the original purpose behind the technique is often lost.

I am not saying that this is why Shotokan practitioners looked to older styles like Goju for answers, but perhaps they saw how the the Goju people incorporated the process of Bunkai into their training and felt they would benefit from it as well.

Remember, at the time (or shortly after) the likes of Gigo were incorporating technical changes into his fathers system, other aspects like Yakusoku Kumite, Jiyu kumite and Shiai were also being introduced. Maybe Bunkai is (was) seen as the missing link between these facets.

I've profited from Iain Abernethy's interpretations/demonstrations.

hehe - as has he no doubt.

[sensei8]

Bunkai isn't something that MUST be known, but, I believe that Bunkai is something that NEEDS to be known. I believe that Bunkai is something that practitioners of the martial arts WANTS to know the unknown and the many untold possibliites that might be encountered; Bunkai allows the practitioner to extrapolate the effectiveness that's in Bunkai. Bringing the muscle memory to bear is the side effect, which is good imho, of Bunkai.

When a supposed impossibility rears its ugly head; Bunkai is a beneficial training tool that allows the practitioner an entrance into what's effective/ineffective by having been introduced to 'it' and having 'experienced' something similar to 'it', therefore, our counter/escape/manipulation/etc has a far better chance at being more automatic, without any thought/pause/delay, in our actions.

Ed Parker said it best...

"He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position."

I'm very happy that I've had Bunkai as a training tool---I've no regrets! Bunkai is like a book, in that if I don't read it, then how can I know if it's good or bad?---I can't!

[joesteph]

We have him coming to do a clinic in March I think. He is known for picking apart the bunkai in kata. It should be a good clinic.

I just received an email today that says the following:

A PDF is now available for download from my website that includes all the details of my seminars in Australia in March 2010! The PDF also contains a booking form so you can secure your places. Please follow the link below to download the PDF:

http://www.iainabernethy.com/documents/Iain_Aber_Registration_Aus_2010.pdf

[Chitsu]

We have him coming to do a clinic in March I think. He is known for picking apart the bunkai in kata. It should be a good clinic.

I just received an email today that says the following:

A PDF is now available for download from my website that includes all the details of my seminars in Australia in March 2010! The PDF also contains a booking form so you can secure your places. Please follow the link below to download the PDF:

http://www.iainabernethy.com/documents/Iain_Aber_Registration_Aus_2010.pdf

Erm... don't you live in Canada Jeffrey?

Gary

[Jeffrey]

Ok Gary I got the month wrong. One of our other clubs tries to get Ian in at least once a year. They were taking about March and after checking I guess he is coming in May.

14th to 23rd of May - Canada

From the 14th to the 23rd of May I’ll be teaching a series of seminars in Canada! This will be my 3rd visit to Canada and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone again. More details will be released soon, but these are the dates and locations: Southern Ontario – May 14-16 / Edmonton – May 17-20 / Calgary – May 21-23. I hope to see you there!

Please find it in your heart to to forgive me

Jeffrey

[Chitsu]

Notyhing to forgive fella,

My point was that I thought Joesteph thinks you live in Australia.

Not about the dates.

Go spend your money.

Chitsu

[Blade96]

I was simply reiterating what I thought was a fairly well recognised fact.

Shotokan is a great system, but it is my understanding that what is practiced today, is far removed from the karate that Funakoshi brought to mainland Japan. In the most part, the low dynamic techniques (for which Shotokan is famed) were largely introduced by his son Gigo.

The methods he introduced were quite "un-typical" of the Okinawan tode from which his fathers teachings evolved.

By modifying things as fundamental as stances, you inevitably change the approach and benefits of the movement. In doing so the original purpose behind the technique is often lost.

I am not saying that this is why Shotokan practitioners looked to older styles like Goju for answers, but perhaps they saw how the the Goju people incorporated the process of Bunkai into their training and felt they would benefit from it as well.

Remember, at the time (or shortly after) the likes of Gigo were incorporating technical changes into his fathers system, other aspects like Yakusoku Kumite, Jiyu kumite and Shiai were also being introduced. Maybe Bunkai is (was) seen as the missing link between these facets.

your right about Funakoshi Gigo - he change the stances but he also inrtoduced such now common shotokanny things as yoko geri keage, yoko geri kekomi, and ushiro geri (side snap kick, side thrust kick and back kick)

[Chitsu]

your right about Funakoshi Gigo - he change the stances but he also inrtoduced such now common shotokanny things as yoko geri keage, yoko geri kekomi, and ushiro geri (side snap kick, side thrust kick and back kick)

I know