Techniques Hidden in Katas

[vantheman]

I had a discussion with another martial artist about this a couple days ago, and figured here would be a good place to expand upon this.

When you do katas, you run through a series of blocks, strikes, and other combos, often along with predetermined footwork. Every once in a while, you may see a technique that you have done outside of the form before (this often happens in Kempo with the numbered combinations). But have you ever looked deeper into what techniques were "hidden" in the form?

Even in forms such as Pinan 1, you can modify the moves slightly to turn blocking a kick and punching into a wrist lock and toss. In other forms, what looks like some strange Crane movements can be turned into a double-arm-breaking toss of sort, and simple waves of the hands are really grabbing your attacker and flipping him.

Hiding techniques seemed to be a useful practice for disguising techniques from beginners first learning the katas, as well as hiding moves from other schools that may "steal" the kata.

My instructors are always hesitant to modify katas because of this. It is also explains why forms are so much more than just going thru the movements.

What about your forms? Have any of you guys dissected a strange series of moves from you katas?

[Sheephead]

Hiding techniques seemed to be a useful practice for disguising techniques from beginners first learning the katas, as well as hiding moves from other schools that may "steal" the kata.

Typical western thinking. Nothing is "hidden" in kata. It's all there in plain sight. It is the lack of knowledge that has made people think that the contents of kata are hidden or seceret or whatever.

My instructors are always hesitant to modify katas because of this. It is also explains why forms are so much more than just going thru the movements.

What about your forms? Have any of you guys dissected a strange series of moves from you katas?

If you don't do this you are not doing karate.

[Harkon72]

The varied Bunkai is what makes Kata so exciting. You can study martial arts for 20 years and still realize something new in Kata every time you practice. My Sensei loves watching me do the Pinan Kata, because I have 20 years plus experience in two other Karate styles we find a new application almost every week. This is the main reason why we train.

[Wastelander]

I think that, for the most part, the techniques in kata aren't "hidden" so much as they are simply not understood. Given the history of karate, I suppose it is certainly possible that some things were hidden, but most likely they were simply hidden by the fact that it is hard to tell what someone is doing when they practice movements in the air, as well as through the use of "shorthand" in kata--the fist touching the arm of your gedan barrai in Passai, for example, can be an indicator of where you are applying the gedan barrai. To illustrate the difficulty of determining what movements mean, I like to perform a tight mawashi-uke and ask the beginners what I am doing with my hands. Most of them say I'm blocking, and I tell them that I was envisioning turning the steering wheel of my car, since the movement is virtually identical.

We do a lot of kata bunkai (analysis) to break down applications for the movements, and sometimes they can be simple enough for a new white belt to do and sometimes they are difficult enough that only the more experienced students can do them. The nice thing about breaking down kata is that it grows with you! While I agree with Sheephead, in principle, I think it's important to remember that not all instructors know or teach kata application because it isn't what they are interested in. We may think it is vital, but many people don't, and that's fine because it's their karate.

Normally, I take most of my kata application drills from the Naihanchi kata--they are simple, powerful and effective. That said, lately I have been playing around with our Passai Dai (Tawada Passai) and recently found an application from it that I can actually apply to nearly any attack originating from my attacker's upper body. The funny thing is that this versatile application comes from a section of the kata that a lot of people think is there to just look pretty

[ps1]

I think that, for the most part, the techniques in kata aren't "hidden" so much as they are simply not understood. Given the history of karate, I suppose it is certainly possible that some things were hidden, but most likely they were simply hidden by the fact that it is hard to tell what someone is doing when they practice movements in the air, as well as through the use of "shorthand" in kata

I largely agree with this. Kata are composed of large, gross motor skills. Many of the movements can be a multitude of techniques. Exactly what they are is often at the discression of the head of your particular system.

I take the kata bunkai and use that to make the ippon kumite techniques. In this way, the meaning is always understood and the essense of kata is understood. In doing this, Kata=Kumite=Kihon. Imagine that!

[brickshooter]

Personally, I do think that the techniques are intentionally hidden by instructors. Just as in Judo or Aikido, the more that Karate is taught to the public, the more it is dumb down for the interest of safety.

For example, one can't teach children how to break necks, so we teach them to do a spear hand instead; instead of a hammer fist to the back of the neck, it's an attack to the wrist to escape a hold; and so on and so on. When it comes to Kata, instructors often teach just enough to defend oneself. Not enough to kill.

[Harkon72]

My Sensei teaches Bunkai as appropriate to the student. Even some Dan grades are not ready for the techniques hidden in the most simple looking Kata. There are three consecutive terminations in Pinan Sandan; my Sensei discusses them with me one to one as he breaks down the Bunkai for me. Even his 2nd Dan Sempai is unaware of them, and as a 16 year old this is as it should be.

[MasterPain]

My Sensei teaches Bunkai as appropriate to the student. Even some Dan grades are not ready for the techniques hidden in the most simple looking Kata. There are three consecutive terminations in Pinan Sandan; my Sensei discusses them with me one to one as he breaks down the Bunkai for me. Even his 2nd Dan Sempai is unaware of them, and as a 16 year old this is as it should be.

I have a different view on this. Personally, if I couldn't hand a 16 year old a rifle and expect them not to shoot anyone, I refuse to teach them anything.

[ps1]

For example, one can't teach children how to break necks, so we teach them to do a spear hand instead; instead of a hammer fist to the back of the neck, it's an attack to the wrist to escape a hold; and so on and so on. When it comes to Kata, instructors often teach just enough to defend oneself. Not enough to kill.

Why? It makes no sense to me to lie about what you're supposed to be doing. Instead of dumbing it down for a child, why not tell them the truth. "Those particular portions of the kata represent techniques I don't feel should be taught to children, or even people I don't trust. For that reason, I don't teach that until you reach age X and rank Y."

Making something is disingenuous. How does that help anyone? I propose it doesn't.

[sensei8]

I've just two words...Oyo and Shu Ha Ri