Is the practice of kata, or more specifically its fighting applications, an out-dated relic of a training method that can be replaced with a philosophy of “more sweat, less thought” or even discarded altogether? Or, is it possible that in many cases in the modern dojo (or dojang) there is a lack of the collective instructional knowledge/experience to teach the mechanics and (especially) the underlying philosophy and mindset that made kata training, at one time, an extremely effective combat teaching tool? Well…strap yourselves in because this one gets people fired up every time.
Having covered the historical aspect of kata applications and their authenticity in Part 1 of this series, I don’t think we need to go over old ground. Suffice it to say that it would be an extreme stretch (given the near total lack of written texts or records) to say that any of the “original” intended applications for the movements of any one kata, or even the specific movements themselves would have survived intact until today. However, this is where the question must be asked that would make the historical argument (including the age of the training methodology) a moot point. That question being simply: “Does it matter?” Does it truly matter if the first movement in Shoto-kan’s Heian Shodan (Gedan Barai) was originally intended (for example) to block an incoming kick? Or, maybe it was meant to represent as a joint lock (possibly arm break) to an attacking Oi Zuki. And yet again, it could have even been intended as a break-away from a grab to the left arm of the karate-ka. I have seen all 3 applications taught as if each were an irrefutable fact…and, they all (including many other genuine possibilities) have merit. The first is the simplest and most obvious use of the technique itself hinting at an “Occam’s Razor” line of thinking. The second is a bit more complicated and requires much better timing and precision to pull off… but, seems more combat realistic in that the movement is carried out while stepping forward into the attack (not common with this waza if used as a block). The last seems more likely from a “real world” perspective in that many attacks begin with the victim being grabbed in some way.
Take a look and notice that certain points in the kata the application of Gedan Barai and Shuto Uke (downward block and knifehand block) changes. This happens even though the attacks they are defending against are the same as the previous ones. More proof that the bunkai of any one kata does not have to be (and really CAN’T be) a concrete, unchangeable thing.
Now, back to answering to the prevailing question: I would have to say NO, it does not matter what the original intention of the kata’s creator MIGHT have been long ago. And, therefore it does not matter that the methodology of kata training is “old school”. What IS important is how the form is taught today. As well, what is even more vital is how the karate-ka is interpreting it as a whole and how it relates to the other elements of his/her training. This seems to be the element of kata application training that has been lost more than any forgotten techniques or ancient bunkai. The key to successful, relevant kata training is not how you apply the techniques of the kata…but, in how the kata is applied to your training.
No Pain = No Gain, Try Or Die…(You Get The Idea)
This is not to say that a hard workout is not neccessary, far from it! If you are dancing through Jion, for instance, and do not work at perfecting the physical techniques, they will never work for you in a fight. BUT, likewise, if you are not mentally applying the form to different potential combat scenarios as you execute…then, you will never get any benefit from it. This is obvious in all schools of fight training. Boxers would not improve their ring performance in the least if they half-heartedly tapped the heavy bag, barely broke a sweat in the sparring ring and did not go all-out in their endurance/conditioning workouts. HOWEVER, no matter how hard they worked, if all the while they were thinking about what they were going to do later that day, that weekend, the next time they see their girlfriend, etc…, they would never be ready for the fight and would panic/collapse under the pressure. As with anything else, it is HOW (not if) you train kata application that brings its relevance and effectiveness to the forefront. Here is a clip of Jion executed by Hirokazu Kanazawa (10th Dan Shoto-kan) to show you what I mean about training for effectiveness (note the intensity and focus of the techniques) …
Bringing It All Together
This leads us to the basic elements (or layers) of kata training: form (correct body position), movement (smooth transitioning from one technique to another), rhythm (correct breathing, muscle contraction/relaxation and timing), balance (keeping your center throughout the form), mindset (keeping your mind focused on the potential applications of the techniques as you execute them) and mushin (the point in training when all the others become one and you just do without thinking). These layers can be further broken down but, I’m not going to go into more detailed explanations of each. That is a little off topic and a whole new discussion of its own. But, the fact that these elements were developed and are there to be studied is what also tells us that the relevancy of kata application is not lost with age, but, (once again) is all in our hands as the next generation training.
In Part 3 we will finally decide if kata application practice is a good basis for modern self-defense training…OUS!
Marc G.
