"Standards For the Performance of Patters"

[sensei8]

Shotokan's Chinte has three little hops at the end. There used to be a forum called e-budo where there was a thread that went on for about two years regarding the Chinte hops. It's a strange move because if you just wanted to get back to the start point you could simply step back, but the three hops have become standard. There is some bunkai for the move, but I think they are pretty far-fetched.

From my research, certain Chinese and Okinawan forms have always ended on the same spot, but some did not. So it's not a Shotokan invention to end where you start. It IS however a Shotokan invention for EVERY kata to start and end at the same place.

As far as the three hops in Chinte...

I've never given much credit to the Bunkai's found and preached about; some were, imho, laughable. I'm on the opinion that the three hops are there so that one can return to the starting point.

[Kusotare]

So it's not a Shotokan invention to end where you start. It IS however a Shotokan invention for EVERY kata to start and end at the same place.

I think that's a fair assumption.

Personally, I'm not bothered that I practice kata that doesn't start and finish on the same spot. I agree that it is probably easier to learn and perhaps teach (as it is a kind of measurement that can be monitored) but, what’s going on within the form is far more important imo.

It's a bit like stances; in the west we try our best to teach students in a very objective (black and white) way. The stance is this long (shin and two fists for example) and this wide. Train with a Japanese instructor and ask him how long a stance are and he will say "This long" and just perform the stance.

K.

[Dobbersky]

It's been a great thread, this is definitely forms/patterns for gradings and competition as opposed to using them for what they were created for.

Thanks guys

[sensei8]

Kata for competitions is more theatrical. Longer pauses, kiai often, movements for show, and ever so slight changes to said kata. I don't fault them nor do I ridicule them, and that's mainly because I use to do whatever it took to gain the advantage over my fellow competitors.

For kata, I would even wet the very bottom of my gi pants, and at the end of each gi sleeve top, just to get that extra snap from each technique in the quest to garner more points.

Edited February 9, 2013 by sensei8

[DWx]

It's been a great thread, this is definitely forms/patterns for gradings and competition as opposed to using them for what they were created for.

Thanks guys

I don't think it's just for that. I even if you aren't competing or grading shouldn't you be doing the techniques with realism and correct posture, breathing, tension etc.? Otherwise you might as well be flailing your arms and legs around any old how.

[bushido_man96]

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions so far, everyone. Great input!