Twelve Golden Rules for Practical Kata Application

Hello and thanks for signing up to my mailing list, where every so often Ill be sending you free stuff including articles, training tips, video clips, special offers, recommendations and much more! Membership to my newsletter is completely voluntary and if at any time you no longer wish to receive any future information (I know I cant please everyone) then you'll have the option to unsubscribe in every email I send. To begin with and as promised, here is your free e-book that features my twelve golden rules for practical kata application. For more information about the content detailed here and to learn more about how these rules can be implemented into your current practice, then please check out my website, blog and video tutorial downloads for some great information that you can start incorporating into your current training regime today! For more information, just visit: http://www.chrisdenwood.com If like me you are fascinated by the functional application of traditional karate, then I think youll really benefit from reading the following report. Ive put the 'twelve golden rules' together based on my own experience, in order to provide a fundamental basis for all karate practitioners (regardless of style), so that they may begin to explore the combative applications of their own specific kata. Of course, theres no substitute for direct training under a suitably qualified and experienced bunkai teacher, but for those who have to take the journey alone then this will be an excellent place to start!

~2~

Due to the limitations of this report, I cannot go into too much detail, so what you'll read below is merely scratching the surface of what is a huge and enjoyable subject of study. Nevertheless, the information contained here will still provide you with plenty of food for thought and hopefully, ignite a spark for you to begin looking at your kata differently. After many years of research, Ive often found that the answers to my questions were always present in the kata - just waiting patiently for me to find them. No matter what you may have been led to believe, there are NO secrets in karate - it is simply a matter of patience, hard work and consistency until one's level of experience can come to uncover a deeper level of understanding. I hope that this e-book will help you on your path. So please dont waste any time in starting to implement these rules into your training and dont feel frustrated if you struggle a little at first. Remember that the traditional forms handed down to us were originally created to record key combative strategies and methodologies for self-protection and once you are able to align your level of thinking to suit this context, the applications will instantly start to reveal themselves. All the substance is there - all it requires is the openness to expand and an extra large portion of tenacity! Sometimes, it is difficult to build up a level of confidence to support whether or not the applications youve uncovered have any historical connection to the original intention of the techniques. however, kata has a much deeper purpose than to simply record a collection of 'combative tricks and since the study of karate does not come with a hearty supply of surviving historical evidence, then any work we do (so long as it is undertaken with honesty and the original aims of the art in mind) will in my opinion, be at the very least, a step in the right direction. So I hope you enjoy reading this e-book. Please feel free to send me your comments or questions - it will be nice to hear from you!

~3~

Rule 1:

Analyse all movements in context with a civilian self-protection model.

Regardless of the numerous drivers and benefits associated with taking up the study of karate, one cannot forget the fact that the art was originally designed to solve the significant problems associated with facing a physical threat in those times when (1) violence was commonplace, (2) protection of your family was a personal task and (3) effective self-defence was a very desirable goal indeed. The traditional forms found in karate have been passed on through generations from the early days of the art's development and so it stands to reason that to come to a proper understanding as to what the movements actually mean we must ensure that through our study and analysis (bunkai), we always equate to their original intent. Ask yourself the simple question: would I use this application to help assure my safety from a violent threat? If you have any significant doubts about saying YES then this can indicate that your analysis may be a little off the mark - providing of course that your knowledge and experience of selfprotection is accurate!

Rule 2:

Always equate the movements of kata to close combative ranges.

The modern day sporting approach to karate (albeit in many ways a very praiseworthy aspect of the art) is heavily based on exaggerated fighting ranges, skilled versus skilled types of engagement and often limited to nonattached combat strategies. It is important to remember that the traditional forms do not contain such approaches as they were designed to transmit practical lessons associated with developing skills for civilian self-protection. This means that all ~4~

applications should be considered at distances of and inside of arms length (i.e. typical conversation range), as well as tactics for reducing the risk associated with actively engaging so close to the opponent. Quite often, a simple re-adjustment of range in your mind can open up the kata for a more functional and pragmatic analysis. One thing I also recommend you to consider is the skill versus skill type of pre-arranged sparring (Yakusoku Gumite), as commonly performed in many styles. Look at what you currently practice and then simply close the distance to a more realistic range. You may be quite surprised with what you find and because of this, see these drills in a completely different light!

Rule 3:

Consider the possibility of both pre-emptive and reactive strategies.

In any close range altercation, action will always beat reaction. There is no way to escape this fact and for us to consider kata application in a practical way, we must appreciate that in addition to (flinch) reactive strategies, preemption is a vital component for civilian self-protection. In fact, a thorough study of the movements within kata reveals that many of the reactive applications are actually based on contingency situations whereby the opponent has managed to check your initial pre-emptive attack! In my opinion, the famous karate ni sente nashi (there is no first attack in karate) maxim, made famous by the legendary Gichin Funakoshi does not mean that we should never strike first, but instead eludes more to never being the instigator of violence. Waiting for an attack to be unleashed before being able to react (i.e. essentially becoming a 'sitting duck'), would be an extremely foolish strategy and indicates a deluded approach to the arts original objectives.

~5~

Rule 4:

Use angles from the embusen to bring the opponent alive.

The embusen (lines of performance) of kata plays a crucial role in being able to understand the combative lessons that the movements are trying to impart. The spatial and angular relationship between combatants is just as important (if not more so) than the techniques themselves and can make all the difference between success and failure. Since the repetition of kata is at its core a solo training method, then the relationship between you and the opponent can only be accurately recorded and passed on through the associated embusen. Here's some advice - unless you regularly compete in kata competitions then you should forget about the typical karate master surrounded by a group of enemies type of bunkai. The embusen is not about turning to face the opponent, but instead, a record of the most optimum angles used to accentuate the effectiveness of the application. It is the angle you should strive for in relation to the opponent, in order to make the very best use of the movements.

Rule 5:

All applications must as a minimum, create an unquestionable advantage.

In contrast to what some may believe, all applications are not required (and were never intended) to end the fight there and then. Nevertheless, they should all as a minimum, provide an unquestionable advantage over the opponent so that you are able to continue exploiting the initiative in order to secure your safety. If an application sees you with the opponent off balance with both their arms trapped and unable to defend, then this should in my mind be considered effective. If you are unable to make full use of this clear advantage, then it is no fault of the kata and I would thoroughly recommend that you begin to ~6~

question your fundamental competence of basic training! On the other hand, if after you have performed an application your partner can still continue to fighting back with significant force, then there obviously lies a fundamental flaw in your analysis. Go back to the drawing board and start over. Here's some more advice - stop looking for five finger death moves and instead search for realistic methods of turning the tables quickly so that the deck can be firmly stacked in your favour.

Rule 6:

Always try to make use of the non-striking limb.

Coping with the chaos of live combat is difficult enough with two hands, let alone with one. So why on earth would any person ever consider pulling a hand back to the waist (with nothing in it) and place dependence entirely on a single striking limb? Of course, this strategy would be foolhardy to say the least and even a rudimentary understanding of kata will reveal that both hands are always live used together to create advantages and opportunities for effective control of the situation. In fact, the only time it may be worth holding a limb back would be to affect a passive guard. However this by definition means that you are in a reactive state (something that you should always try to avoid) and in reality, any form of reactive blocking simply does not work in such close range environments. Instead, the non-striking limb would be much better used to actively work in order to control the opponent. The best method of defence is always to apply pressure and dominate the situation swiftly, such that it becomes an impossible task for the opponent to attack back and for this, youll certainly require both hands! In kata, the non-striking limb can be used to control, disrupt balance, enhance the effects of strikes or set up potential follow up applications based on a predictive response. Consider also that the non-striking limb is not ~7~

always held at the waist. Think about other techniques where it may be positioned elsewhere and question the significance of this.

Rule 7:

Equate to principles and motion, rather conforming simply to technique.

Many modern day practitioner of karate would define kata as being a bunch of techniques stuck together that aim to simulate specific defences against specific attacks. However, this I believe to be only a very superficial way of thinking and although I agree that the movements do detail particular applications, they also represent far more for the karate-ka who is willing to be more open-minded and scratch below the surface. Kata is really a record of combative principles, strategies, tactics and themes that provide practitioners with essential skills for self-protection. Of course, the principles themselves have no form (theyre just principles) and since the best way to teach combat is through physical motion, the most appropriate way to express these principles in karate would be to use specific techniques, hence the generation of 'form'. In other words, the techniques themselves are only examples (i.e. a starter for ten) and we must transcend these movements so that we can uncover a more holistic view of the lessons held within and the wider teachings they may offer.

Rule 8:

Do not be bounded by form - aim to dissolve structure and order.

This may sound a little contradictive, but let me tell you - one of the biggest problems with the traditional kata is the almost obsessive dependency placed on the structure of the form itself. It is far too common for practitioners to pay excessive homage to the perfection and aesthetics of the form, without even considering for a moment what the movements may actually be trying to teach. ~8~

The solo form only really represents the very first stage in the process of kata study. It is merely the datum and benchmark from which everything else grows. It is the blueprint or map that serves to connect us to the very creator of the form, however its functional potential lies elsewhere. The responsibility lies with you to analyse, extract and apply the lessons held within, in the most effective way relevant to you as an individual. In this way, the study of karate becomes a very personal journey...and so it should. Even though the solo form is important for its own reasons, it certainly does not represent the whole puzzle of kata and if you cannot come to terms with the idea of breaking away from the limitations of such form, then in my view you will be missing a seriously large jigsaw piece!

Rule 9:

Create no waste - try to make use of every part of every movement.

Although common sense implies that holding onto the idea that every movement in kata has a multitude of applications would be a little nave, if we initially study bunkai with this ideal in mind, then we will be able to perform a much better job in analysing the movements, plus of course, therell be less chance of missing anything of importance. Therefore, I recommend that you actively study even the most subtle movements. Look at the significance of preparation motions, salutation postures, retracting arms, the use of stances, head turns, timing and combinations, the significance between slow and fast movements, hand shapes and other unique characteristics no matter how small they may first appear to be. This approach will at the very least provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the kata motions, well over and above what 95% of practitioners could ever contemplate. Then you will start to see specific patterns emerging within kata and between kata. In most cases, these patterns will highlight key combative principles, identifying the places in ~9~

which to focus in more depth. Start by brainstorming all possibilities and then whittle your findings down based on the context of your analysis and the key features you find. The very nature of kata assumes that each form (or series of forms) will have their own particular themes based on who, where and when it was created. Therefore, it is important to experience a wide range of skills so that you stand a much better chance of finding substance within the form. With modern day technological advances such as the internet, we have a decisive advantage over our karate predecessors and by using these resources to expand our studies, then the process of kata investigation can become more thorough, enjoyable and rewarding.

Rule 10:

Combat is never static - apply stances in a dynamic way.

There is absolutely no potential in stillness. In order to create potential, a state of imbalance needs to be present. Think about the act of walking and you will understand that in order to move forwards, we have to be in control of our fall. The same is true of a pendulum on a large grandfather clock - you need to first lift it to a point of imbalance before letting go for it to succumb to the effects of gravity. All the stances in kata have three fundamental parts. There is the start point (static), the end point (also static) and for want of a better term, the bit in the middle (dynamic). It is only really this dynamic transition period that holds the potential within the posture, so rather than fixating on the visual snap shot image of the stance itself (i.e. the start or end points), you should instead investigate the functional part in between. Its also interesting to note that the most common time for a student's posture to be corrected is at the static end point, because the accurate performance of this position can provide a degree of confidence (although not guaranteed) that the transition into it was correct. Thus, when working to ~ 10 ~

apply the movements of kata, focus should always be placed on the dynamic element of the stances.

Rule 11:

Kata contains the heart of the application - it cant record everything.

The traditional forms in karate were designed for people who were skilled in combat. They were not created for the Tuesday After-School Club or to wow spectators at the local sports day, but instead were developed to become a valuable learning aid for martial practitioners. With this in mind, we have to accept that there will be some very common principles and strategies that may not be recorded in kata, simply due to the fact that its already taken for granted that practitioners should already know them! For instance, if a kata records a throwing technique then it is unlikely to also record a particular strike beforehand, even though the idea of blow before throw is an important principle to follow. These entrance techniques, along tactics such as pre-emptive striking are an uncommon occurrence in kata, as are finishing strikes or exit techniques. It is expected that you should know how to follow on from an advantage created by successful application of the kata movements. There are of course exceptions to the rule above - namely in situations where the kata is passing on a specific or specialist technique thats integral to the combative lessons expressed within the form. For instance, exit techniques such as the head smash from Neseishi (Nijushiho) Kata or the double eye gouge from Seishan (Hangetsu) Kata are fine examples of this. In addition, the reactive strategies found at the beginning of Kushanku (Kanku-dai) Kata and some versions of Naihanchi (Tekki Shodan) Kata aim to teach and solidify some very fundamental lessons for effective self-protection. Generally speaking though, specific application kata will always focus on the heart of the movements, so that they can be applied in an adaptable and free flowing way. ~ 11 ~

Rule 12:

Embrace the whole process of kata - learn, apply, expand and then evolve.

As the great karate teacher Chosin Chibana said - like a pond that requires a fresh supply of running water so that it does not become stagnant, the study of karate should be a continual process of exploration and development so that the art may evolve as it has done so continuously since its very conception. An interesting definition of the word tradition is "to align to the customs and beliefs of those who have gone before us". Thus, remaining in the past does not follow the original ethos of karate and although we should have deep respect for the history of this wonderful art, we should never become restricted because of it. The people of Okinawa are renowned for their ability to take something and make it their own and through this amazing adaptability and positive openness to change, the kata of karate were created, developed and progressed through the generations. Although the key principles of kata (i.e. the blueprint) should always remain unchanged, the interpretation of the movements should be 'living' to become a personal endeavor that lasts a lifetime. As soon as any traditional karate practitioner steps onto a dojo floor, they instantly become an integral part of its future development and this responsibility should never be taken lightly. Having an open, unrestricted and free-flowing view towards the study of karate will allow it to continue as an evolving art, void of the agonising binds of stagnancy that it is too often made to suffer from. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To find out more about Chris, his approach to karate and a selection of recommended products, please visit: http://www.chrisdenwood.com

~ 12 ~