Opinions on this kata delivery

[sensei8]

Are we addressing your question or are we comparing one Karateka to another?? Either way is an opinion!! The Karateka in the OP video link, imho, was quite affable in his execution of said Kata in question. The Karateka in your OP video link doesn't appear overly stiff, and the way that he executes said Kata is according to his style.

Kanazawa was great for his time, but he is no way comparable to the best kata performers of today. You just mentioned him because he is famous. Watch Mirces tsuki and stance age 55+. There is no comparision.

So, we are addressing one Karateka to another!! I misunderstood; I apologize!!

Forget about Kanazawa or any other Karateka. I didn't mention Kanazawa because he's famous, but for the reasons that I've already mentioned, and my reasons are my opinion.

Whatever my point might be, I don't mean to be disrespectful in any shape, way, and/or form; if I appear that way, please forgive me.

[barefoot-kohai]

Karate evolves with time... and kata practice also evolves.

These are some performances of Bassai Dai (including the two already mentioned"). You can see the evolution

Old one:

Enoeda and Nakayama Sensei: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhooy5dZ_1Q

I do not know the exact year of these films, but by the style they must be pre-seventies.

Kanazawa:

By the kind of performance must be eighties.

The following ones are "modern" performances :

Kurihara Kazuaki

Kazuaki 2017

Germany 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIAmfyHu1cQ

You can see the evolution.

You must take into account that performances evolve with time (and with performer's age). The requirements in tournament kata change with time.

As my sensei mentioned some time ago, Shotokan practitioners "adapt" to the new competition styles and aesthetics: compare, for example, Kanazawa (classic) with Luca Valdesi (Modern).

Sadly, evolution tends to competition, where the choice of kata, the rhythm and dynamics and even the wrinkles in the karategui affect.

If you search in youtube for Bassai Dai performances, for example, you won't find many Shotokan Bassai in championships. Even though is a disctintive kata, Shotokan performers must compete with karate-kas of all styles. You have "nothing to do" if your opponent goes with Suparimpei or Seienchin: they are long katas, fast and spectacular.

If you practice Shotokan you end up with Gojushiho(dai or sho),or Kanku(dai or sho), just for the sake of lenght, or Unsu, for complexity.

The mre or less exact thing that my teacher said about one of his competitors is that he "in performance, is Shito-ryu-izing itself"

Just compare Enpi: Nakayama (40s), Kanazawa 80s, Valdesi (2012)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6V-NIizD3g

Plus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSF91ojuhNc