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Literal Kata!!


sensei8

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Very interesting topic and discussions!

I agree with Sojobo, in that in-depth understanding of any given kata requires in-depth understanding of the Art itself.

Than there is also schools which require higher level students to come up with their own bunkai for kata... Thus application is down to the individual and how well it will work for them.

OSU!

"We did not inherit this earth from our parents.

We are borrowing it from our children."

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I agree with Sojobo, in that in-depth understanding of any given kata requires in-depth understanding of the Art itself.

In a sense, aren't they one and the same?

Matsubayashi Ryu

CMMACC (Certified Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach)

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Possible using the word "literal" was incorrect on my part. So...

When I say LITERAL within this thread/topic, I'm speaking about...

A block is just that...it's a block

A strike is just that...it's a strike

A punch is just that...it's a punch

ETC...ETC...ETC...

Nothing hidden/secret in it's application.

:)

**Proof is on the floor!!!

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Possible using the word "literal" was incorrect on my part. So...

When I say LITERAL within this thread/topic, I'm speaking about...

A block is just that...it's a block

A strike is just that...it's a strike

A punch is just that...it's a punch

ETC...ETC...ETC...

Nothing hidden/secret in it's application.

:)

There is nothing hidden in "Kata" per-se, the form is the form - you perform it exactly as you sensei tells you to.

Application, Oyo, Bunkai etc., is something else.

It's where Shu-ha-ri comes in.

Very important part of realising "kata".

Sojobo

I know violence isn't the answer... I got it wrong on purpose!!!


http://www.karatedo.co.jp/wado/w_eng/e_index.htm

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And, my take on Kata, has been that perhaps at one point, all the movements were based on something that was used in that exact fashion in combat...but if I, personally, ever executed most of the motions the way they are in a kata, I'd be promptly beat up, killed, and stuffed in a shallow grave.

As far as interpreting kata literally - as in, applying them to what you do today- I think you've got to find out what that specific kata was made to do, and who it was made for. If there were a kata made for huge white guys to defend themselves in a street fight or bar...I imagine it wouldn't look like most others.

Out of interest, what style of Karate do you train in?

sojobo

I know violence isn't the answer... I got it wrong on purpose!!!


http://www.karatedo.co.jp/wado/w_eng/e_index.htm

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Possible using the word "literal" was incorrect on my part. So...

When I say LITERAL within this thread/topic, I'm speaking about...

A block is just that...it's a block

A strike is just that...it's a strike

A punch is just that...it's a punch

ETC...ETC...ETC...

Nothing hidden/secret in it's application.

:)

A punch can be both a punch and a block. A block can also be a strike. There are no hard and fast rules in karate and most techniques you train in kata have direct application in a fight and often times they are multiple.

Matsubayashi Ryu

CMMACC (Certified Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach)

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Possible using the word "literal" was incorrect on my part. So...

When I say LITERAL within this thread/topic, I'm speaking about...

A block is just that...it's a block

A strike is just that...it's a strike

A punch is just that...it's a punch

ETC...ETC...ETC...

Nothing hidden/secret in it's application.

:)

A punch can be both a punch and a block. A block can also be a strike. There are no hard and fast rules in karate and most techniques you train in kata have direct application in a fight and often times they are multiple.

Very true!

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Possible using the word "literal" was incorrect on my part. So...

When I say LITERAL within this thread/topic, I'm speaking about...

A block is just that...it's a block

A strike is just that...it's a strike

A punch is just that...it's a punch

ETC...ETC...ETC...

Nothing hidden/secret in it's application.

:)

A punch can be both a punch and a block. A block can also be a strike. There are no hard and fast rules in karate and most techniques you train in kata have direct application in a fight and often times they are multiple.

I understand your point, but I am struggling with it a bit.

In Kata, a punch “IS” a punch.

In Bunkai/Oyo there may be extrapolations.

My instructor often says "Kata is Kata and Kumite is Kumite".

Oyo / Bunkai is the bridge between the two, but when learning and performing kata a punch should be done as a punch.

Again this is where “Shu-ha-ri” comes in.

Shu - Embrace the kata (ie do it exactly as it says on the box).

Ha - Diverge from the Kata

Ri - Discard the Kata

Through this process, the practitioner uses the kata to evolve - the result (hopefully) being automatic/instinctive Kumite.

But throughout the process the Kata remains constant, it is the blue print of the Ryu as it were that is ready to be picked up by the next student and so on.

Sojobo

I know violence isn't the answer... I got it wrong on purpose!!!


http://www.karatedo.co.jp/wado/w_eng/e_index.htm

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I have 3 kata in my syllabus which are "Literal Kata", the first 3 kata that are taught in the children's syllabus. They're just training kata, every technique in the first 3 kata are exactly what is done - strikes are strikes, blocks are blocks etc. From there all kata are taught literally within this syllabus whereas in the Adult syllabus this is where the Bunkai/Application/Hidden techniques comes to life.

Excellent topic and excellent responses

Osu!

"Challenge is a Dragon with a Gift in its mouth....Tame the Dragon and the Gift is Yours....." Noela Evans (author)

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