Usually training time in the dojo is divided into several parts. When looking at kata it is obvious that a single one, even the shortest contains enough material for an entire lesson. Some of the longer kata might have enough for two or three.

The last time I was in the dojo, the whole two hours was spent on Naihanchi shodan. The entire lesson on a single kata. Has anyone else ever done this before and what is the longest time ever spent on practising material from a single kata?

In all honesty, I could teach a weeks worth of classes (that's 3 - 2 hour classes/week) on any kata, starting with Pinan Shodan and going up from there.

Lesson 1: Just teaching the kata itself, without putting much time into what the movements/bunkai means.

Lesson 2: Bunkai...bunkai...bunkai...plus fixing what the students are not gettign right in the kata.

Lesson 3: More bunkai..and fixing more issues as they arise.

Then for the next 30 years or so..continuing to improve that kata and make it better.

We do this a 2-3 times per month and often each of those times it is for 2 hours per time. So each month we might spend 4-6 hours each month on it.

With our 'Mixed' Adults class which is meant to be only for white - red belts (9th - 6th Kyu) but is normally all ranks. Sensei and the senpais will take different groups to do different kata (and test people if required).

The one kata lesson is probably closer to the training method used by the Okinawans before karate gained popularity. Testimony and records of several Okinawan karateka attest to this. Hohan Soken of orthodox Shorin ryu comes to mind. Training in that way is the first step towards developing applicable skills and intimate in depth knowledge of karate techniques.

Unfortunately, most students come with a consumer mentality requiring instant or short-term results. If two hours spent on a single kata seems long and boring, such students would likely quit if asked to continue at the same pace every single day for just one year, let alone ten.

That is surely the most challenging aspect of the one-kata lesson: keeping it interesting for the average student.

Has anyone else ever done this before and what is the longest time ever spent on practising material from a single kata?

How long...50 years; I've just only scratched the surface...of no particular Kata. They're all still requiring a life time of studying!!

Has anyone else ever done this before and what is the longest time ever spent on practising material from a single kata?

How long...50 years; I've just only scratched the surface...of no particular Kata. They're all still requiring a life time of studying!!

I know I'm not an instructor yet I love the ideas that comes out of these discussions. This right here reminds me of a poster we have up. I wish I could remember the exact words it used yet the lesson is that if karate is done correctly it will be done for life.