Kata Practice and Bunkai
The practice of kata may be studied in a very in depth & narrow way, where your
main focus is on perfection and the blending of power with technical precision. You may
endevour to perfect these movements with fluidity & grace thinking that they are
fighting an imaginary opponent. Unfortunately many people misconceive the idea of kata,
and do infact believe that kata is a fight against an imaginary opponent, believing that
the bunkai for the kata can only have one finite definition.
This is a complete misunderstanding of the practice of kata. Consequently, in some cases,
this leads to people changing the fundamentals of the kata so that the bunkai applies to
their imaginary fight. This is far removed from the truth that kata should never be
changed.
The better way to approach karate kata practice, is to try and work it foremost with
Mushin then Exhaustively, Comprehensively, Carefully and Completely. I call this method ME
& 3 C's. Start from the basics first and work your way up. After all kata is simply a
collection of the basics put together systematically to serve a greater purpose.
When the kata is practiced in this thorough way it sprouts up like a tree; the basics are
the roots, the trunk is the practice of the basics in the form of kata and finally the
branches are the many bunkai's associated with the one trunk (the one kata).
What is being said here is that as you grow to understand the movements, the bunkai of the
kata will naturally and fully reveal itself to you. The more you grow, the more the
definition will become apparent, the more you will see the cross overs between the various
styles surrounding the true, pure way.
Like with the example of the tree; it has many branches so kata has many bunkai, non of
the techniques in the kata have only one application. When the storm comes, the tree will
stand firm because the basics (the roots) have been set firm in place. Likewise, when
combat presents itself, you will stand firm as the techniques from the kata will naturally
surface and become practical. After time these hidden bunkai will reveal themselves.
This process takes a long period of time & cannot be learnt over night, for this
reason the relentless practice of kata is essential for growth.
This practice is hard to begin with, at first you will attempt to learn the kata, then
secondly you attempt to perform the kata; Third you attempt to become the kata, much later
the kata actually becomes you and you the kata.
It is of extreme importance that we continue to preserve the knowledge past down to us by
the masters that have preserved the knowledge of their teachers. We must also do the same
by not changing or adapting what we have been given, so this knowledge can be put forward
for the future generations of practicioners.
Nathaniel Peat Sensei
United Kindom
January 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
