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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. |
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