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IN
KATA LESS IS MORE
Keeping
it simple
While
watching a grading recently, I noticed that a common
theme was starting to appear in the various katas that
were being performed by some of the more senior brown
belts.
What
I had noticed made no difference of course to those who
watched with an untrained eye, but to me all of the tell
tale signs were clearly evident.
There
was no doubt about it.
As
I watched their individual kata "bunkai" was
beginning to appear in a variety of different places.
It
was apparent that at the next class, a clear reminder of
what is appropriate in individual kata, and what is not,
was definitely needed in order to ensure that this theme
did not start to become a trend.
While
"kata bunkai" certainly has it's place in the
overall development and understanding of the many
intricacies that make up the katas found within the
modern Shotokan Karate system, problems can arise when
students start to get what I call, "bunkai happy".
This
most often occurs when a student gets into believing that
their individual kata will benefit if they show "purpose"
in everything that they are doing.
The
result of this line of thought is that the student begins
to add unnecessary “stuff” to many of their
most fundamental kata movements. This “stuff”
was of course never meant to displayed in the kata in the
first place, and in fact it does nothing to enhance the
kata technically, or for that matter it's outward
appearance.
In
fact quite the opposite is true.
The
addition of this extra "stuff" in reality only
does one thing, it makes the performance of any kata far
more complex than it needs to be, or was ever meant to be.
Now
the first step for a student down the "bunkai happy
road" can often occur as early as white belt.
In
order to help new students begin to get the proper “feel”
for a kata, it is not uncommon for lower ranks to be told
to try and "visualize an imaginary opponent"
whenever they are practicing their various katas.
One
of the reasons behind this methodology is that
visualization can be very helpful to students, especially
when they are learning anything new, or complex, such as
seeking to understand just how the various punches,
kicks, and blocks, fit within the scope of a particular
kata.
At
times this concept of "visualization" will
often be aided by a physical demonstration of some of the
more practical applications for the various techniques
found in the kata under review.
These
partner based applications of technique, are the format
by which most students will obtain a clearer
understanding of the concept, or "purpose" for
the various movements they are learning. It is this type
of partner based movement that we commonly referred to
today in karate terminology as, " kata bunkai".
I
for one would describe "kata bunkai" as, "the
visual inclusion, placement, and proper application of
those movements, missing or not immediately apparent, in
a non-partner based demonstration of kata".
While
being able to understand what "bunkai" means is
a very important part of a students karate training, many
students make the mistake of carrying the concepts
learned from their practice of bunkai over into the
physical performance of their various katas, instead of
simply practicing the katas as they were mean to be.
Make
no mistake I firmly believe in teaching bunkai to all
grade levels, not just to senior ranks, but there is a
time and a place when bunkai is appropriate, and a time
and a place when it is not.
A
group demonstration where the fundamental purpose is to
give a clear picture to those present of the rationale
behind the kihon in the various katas is indeed a proper
place for this type of application, but not, I repeat
not, in an individual performance of kata. Here the
requirements for the presentation of individual kata is
completely the opposite. In this instance the ultimate
goal should lies in seeking to perfect the katas
movements and techniques, not in displaying their purpose.
The
difficulty lies in trying to get student to understand
the difference, and then to separate themselves
accordingly when the time comes to do bunkai or kata.
In
an individual kata as I mentioned, your goal is to
perform the required techniques and movements at they
were laid down by past Masters without any visual attempt
at an explanation of what the applications might be used
for, instead your kata should be a reflection of the
"Do" or "Way" of the kata, not the
underlying "why" in the kata.
One
performance show others “what you are trying to
accomplish on the exterior", while the other method
without all of the false tension, overly loud kime, and
screams from the throat, shows others “what you we
trying to accomplish on the inside".
Over
time, and with proper training, a more practiced and
mature approach to kata will hopefully evolve, and in the
end produce a kata that is far more relaxed and fluid,
free of tension, while at the same time demonstrating
balance, posture, timing, rhythm, as well as co-ordination,
and proper breathing.
This
is the type of kata that should begin to be grasped,
understood, and displayed at the senior brown belt level.
So
when doing individual kata, remember, for the best
results, less is more, just keep it simple, because in
the end a good kata will teach you a lot about yourself
than a poor kata will.
- Remember:
- A
kata without the body, mind, and spirit
- attempting
to work in perfect harmony ,
- is
an empty, and hollow thing indeed.
- Part
the clouds - see the way.
-
- "The
objective of karate-do is to contribute to the evolution
- of
the human spirit through physical and mental training."
- Sensei
Peter Lindsay
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