There is more to it, however than just fluidity and good technique. Katas have a long history and deep philosophy behind them as well. Read on if you are interested in learning more about the origin or use of these seemingly weird but very important Kata drills!
The interpretation and the process of analyzing, processing, and visualizing these techniques and their real-life use is called Bunkai. Without getting deep into linguistics, we will talk a little about how this analogy actually makes a lot of sense, especially for the Kata part. The average person is not a master of the language grammar. In order for one to be able to re-write a grammar book, they need to be aware of all that it already contains, and just interpret it a different way, which, in the case that it makes sense for the person making the changes and possibly people around them as well, can turn into a new branch of grammar, or perhaps reframe grammar as a whole.
This is exactly the same as Kata. First, when you start training Katas in karate class, it is the part that you will hate probably, just like grammar. However, when one becomes a master and has studied karate for a long enough time to understand what Katas are in-depth, they will see the beauty in it.
The whole concept of Bunkai which we mentioned earlier rests upon this; the individual analysis and interpretations of masters and practitioners. What Katas mean in karate and what they represent is both the past and the tradition of the art as well as the future and the means for innovation. Kihon means the basic, fundamental building blocks like hits, punches, kicks, and blocks, while Kumite is the use of all of these, in active engagement with an opponent.
Katas are what hold it together into art and create a platform for it to grow. There are multiple reasons why these almost ridiculous-looking to the layman choreographies are useful and essential for karate. A good case could be made that katas are actually the very heart and core of karate. First, it is the legacy and heritage. The reason Katas are and always have been so very important is that they are the perfect way to keep a sequence of techniques for generations, mostly the ones that worked.
If you teach your child to draw, just in general, they will develop a new style and the one you painted will probably be lost, at least the technique of it for sure. Katas are a strict and precise series of movements which were the best way to document movements of previous masters who wanted to pass on their knowledge.
Usually, this had to be done in secret, in order for other masters not to steal techniques or to hide them from oppressing tyrannical leaders or a variety of other reasons. There are a couple of books that have been passed down generation by generation, which were about karate and martial arts in general, and the philosophy behind it.
The problem is, however, that books cannot portray the motion as precisely as a documented Kata can. This is one of the reasons Katas have to be learned perfectly and precisely; to be able to pass on the knowledge.
Another reason that makes Katas very important is purely the technical part. This is the principle of Katas to some extent. The execution of a Kata will never be perfect, a Kata is a perfect ideal to tend towards and try to reach, but it is a constant inspiration for learning more and getting better and better at the given Kata, technique or move. Practicing the basic kicks, punches, or blocks hundreds and thousands of times through Kata training will help your body use the given technique in an automated fashion.
By the time you practiced it for the th time, you will have achieved such mastery of the given skill or technique that it will seem effortless yet be extremely powerful and precise. This is why, when you look at a newbie do Katas, they are unsure and nervous, while a master with lots of experience will do it as if it were one fluid motion, peacefully, with complete focus and near-perfect technique.
When practicing Karate, relaxation is a must, whether it is during kihon, kumite or kata practice. It is a false belief that muscular tension equals power.
Typical Western thinking. Actually, it's quite the opposite. The more relax you are, the more powerful you'll generate and the faster you strike will be. Start each movement or technique firmly but relaxed, tense up right at the moment of impact or when blocking, then relax right after. Of course practicing advanced kata like Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, and Empi is essential, but don't neglect to practice the basic ones too. Master them to perfection, it will have a considerable impact on the quality of your advanced kata as well as your overall Karate.
Training kata once or twice a week is not enough, you need to repeat them over and over again to develop muscle memory. The more often you'll do, the more likely you'll be to cultivate what we call "synchronized and precise muscle memory". If you can't go the dojo every day, which is quite difficult for most people, at least practice at home. You don't have to do a one-hour session, but 20 minutes or so every day will make a big difference. Katas are complex, most have around 30 to 60 moves, sometimes more.
Break down your kata into series of movements and practice each set until it becomes second nature. By breaking your kata into a small series of moves, you can concentrate on perfecting each part. Once you are happy with each "block of movements", put it all together and practice it as a whole. Practicing kata in front of a mirror is an excellent way to detect small technical errors and correct them before they set in as bad habits.
As the proverb says, "prevention is better than cure". Sometimes, even if you practice in front of a mirror or film yourself, it's hard to be aware of the finer technical points you must improve or also to see the bad habits you might have.
That's why it's important to have someone highly experience watching you perform kata. It's easier for another person to see our "faults" that it is for ourselves, so don't hesitate to ask for help. Filming yourself doing kata will allow you to pick up technical errors that you might make. It is beneficial to have an instructor or experienced practitioner to tell you about your mistakes, but also, it's also important to see it yourself.
Filming yourself often will allow you to improve your kata and monitor your progress. I personally, do this often, and it helps me a lot. Try to regularly watching people perform kata or videos of people performing, it will help you to build a clear and precise mental picture of how kata should be executed and will help you learn new things.
Although it's an uncommon practice in karate circles, visualization is one of the main tools used in sports psychology and by world-class athletes. It's an incredibly powerful tool that will help you improving kata or any other aspect of your practice.
Visualization in sports or mental imagery is a way of conditioning for your brain for successful outcomes. Visualizing or purposely rehearsing a kata in your mind's eye or any other physical performance like kihon or kumite will program your body and your mind for success. It is proven by science that when athletes visualize or imagine a successful competition, they actually stimulate the same brain regions as they do when they physically perform that same action.
PS: For more information about sports visualization read this article. Literally meaning "analysis" or "disassembly" in Japanese, bunkai is a process of investigating and extracting the combat techniques from the movements of kata.
Bunkai is an aspect of Karate that is sadly often neglected. Many Karate schools don't even teach it at all. Some Karate schools teach Bunkai that are only suitable for demonstration and "sporting" purpose. Without an understanding of the knowledge and techniques included within kata, Karate is a very poor art.
There is a world of difference between being able to merely perform the movements of the kata and truly understanding them. I think it's important to understand that there is no official Bunkai for kata, the only applications that matters are those that actually work in real life.
I would suggest that you actively study the application of Bunkai and not just repeat what you have been taught, it's a great way to discover more about Karate. Bunkai is practiced with a partner or a group of partners which execute prearranged attacks, and the one performing the kata responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions, based on parts of the kata.
It's easy to practice a kata alone when you're not dealing with your partner's attacks, but it's an entirely different matter when you have someone in front of you. Every kata movements are intended to be used in battle. It is crucial that you understand this - every movement within the katas are designed to be used in real fights. This is not a dance. The primary function of every move is to disable or incapacitate an assailant in a self-defense situation.
When applying the kata's techniques, your primary concern should be the movement's effectiveness, not it's aesthetic. That's Hollywood. You should not be concerned by the "look" of a movement but by its practicality and efficiency against a living opponent. I'm in no way saying the practice of kata s "enough" to make a practitioner effective in real life self-defense. Kata is not an alternative to kumite or sparring, primarily because it doesn't involve the free-flowing exchange of blows between training partners.
As we saw, weapons ban imposed on the Okinawans at various points of their history profoundly influenced and refined the practice of karate and the kata as well. After reading this article, it should be evident that there is numerous reason why the practice of kata is essential for karate practitioners.
Because of all those reasons, please take the practice of kata seriously. Do every punch, every kick, every block, and every step wholeheartedly, without holding anything back. Honestly and sincerely give yourself to your kata. Please, actively study the application of kata techniques, and only then you'll realize by yourself, with experience, that the real purpose of Kata is to prepare both the body and the mind for actual combat. If you really want to improve your Karate, you should definitely check out this article I wrote about my favorite equipment for training Karate at home.
Thank you for reading! Hey, it's Martin, I hope you liked this article! Please read my bio , and follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Hi, my name is Martin Jutras. I've been studying and practicing Karate, practical self-defense and Zen Buddhism for more than 35 years. Privacy Policy Terms of Use. Lexicon About me Facebook Instagram. In this article, I will cover the following: Understanding kata throught it's origin and history What is kata? Why is kata important in karate?
How to do kata properly? Tips to improve kata Bunkai, the essence of kata Conclusion. Pssst, I've got more! Who Am I? Similar to using a kicking dummy, solo kata is seen as a way of practicing techniques without a live partner.
In contrast, there are many martial artists who feel that kata is a waste of time. They believe it is impractical because it does not teach students how to deal with a live and unpredictable opponent.
On Black Belt Wiki, we have a poll that asks about the utility of kata. What do you think about kata? Or somewhere in between? I started off in shotokan. You spent some time with him and learned many techniques. How would you remember what he has taught you you ask. He says to you within the katas I have taught you there are all the techniques you have learned from me. I leave you with this wisdom. I also leave you with one other bit of information every move you have learned has within it both defensive and offensive techniques.
All you have learned is contained within them. So keeping this in mind take a kata that you have learned and see how many self defense applications you can find. You will be amazed,. The great question of katas. There are techniques within katas that are very useful.
If we look at basic blocks such as a high defend open hand. We know that it is useful. Basic front kicks, side kicks and round house are useful as well.
These type of moves are incorporated into our katas, or at least some them.
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