Kata training is outdated...

Some people with very narrow perspectives dismiss the training and practice of kata. These people claim that in the 21st century “kata is outdated in various fighting arts”.

What they fail to recognize is that, in the bigger scheme of things, ‘martial arts without tools have been outdated for thousands of years’. Tools meaning 'forged weapons'.

 

That is, everyone in every culture across the world has fore-mostly focused on creating ‘ever more effective weapons’ and increasing skill in their usage (techniques, tactics etc). This ranges from clubs, blades, bows and projectiles, to the latest high-tech-weaponry in modern warfare. And, indeed this process continues and will keep continuing as long as humanity exists.

 

With these points in mind, it is clear that all ‘unarmed fighting techniques’ have been developed: (a) for when one is unarmed (obviously); (b) lost their weapon(s); (c) their weapon(s) is/are no longer useable or significantly nullified; (d) less lethality is the objective; or—in the case of contemporary karate—(e) the aim is “...self-defense for the average civilian in their daily life, as opposed to battlefield combat”.

 

From the last of these points, we can see what shaped Funakoshi Gichin Sensei’s karate, post-World War Two; and hence, even (for the most part) the removal weapons training in the Shotokan ‘style’. 

In addition to the aim of making Shotokan optimal for self-defense—for the average citizen—Funakoshi Sensei also saw karate as a means to strengthen the body, mind and spirit. The catalyst, at the heart of this, was/is ‘the art of karate’, which can be best attributed to the various kata. That is, kata not only 'preserves the traditional art of karate' but also 'evolves the karateka into an artist', which transcends mere unarmed combat.

 

Certainly, Master Funakoshi could have easily formulated a system of training excluding the kata (solo kata practice) and focused 100% on their respective oyo. However, unlike the narrow-minded people I referred to, in my opening statement, he saw karate from a bigger perspective. This bigger perspective gave kata not only its historical/preservation value, but also it’s incredible holistic strengthening capacity and simultaneous ability to make karate accessible irrespective of age; that is, lifetime budo—‘an art form’.

 

This means that when one is ‘past their prime’ they can still greatly benefit from training. Also, it means that one can practice the more brutal techniques in a solo form without harming others or being injured, which is imperative as the body ages (and recovery becomes a major issue). Needless to say, iriguchiwaza such as the ‘fish hooking’ in 雲手 (Unsu), 五十四歩大 (Gojushihodai), and other such classical kata applications, simply cannot be properly practiced on others, and certainly not with full speed and power; thus, on a pragmatic level, “...solo kata practice remains extremely valuable in the overall scheme of karate training”. So, here, we see safety from two perspectives.

 

From this realistic perspective, regardless of age and condition, kata practice provides rudimentary skills for self-protection; furthermore, physical training to build one up from where they currently are at any given stage in their life.

 

So no, solely practicing kata won’t prepare one for ten rounds of boxing, a cage fight, or a kickboxing match; however, when trained properly, it will enhance one’s ability in self-defense: and motivate training for a lifetime. 

Whilst the careers of competitive fighters are short lived, karateka—through the vehicle of kata (if practiced as bujutsu)—can keep developing their self-defense skills well into old age; moreover, enjoy a beautiful (budo) art, which has so many other life-long benefits.

 

I’d like to conclude by saying that I deeply respect all fighting arts and styles. That being said, I have very little respect for those with narrow perspectives about training/practice and application, that includes those in Shotokan.

  

In sum, there is no superior style or art, only what is optimal for each individual and their personal objectives. Furthermore, the capacity and efforts of each individual. Yes, please excuse the cliché: “it’s not the style but the person”. With this universal and productive perspective, time is not wasted ‘style bashing’ and, most importantly, one’s training time can be optimized! In my case, I’m not training to have a duel with anyone, compete in combat sports, nor am I preparing for the battlefield. My karate, application-wise, is purely for self-defense against an unprovoked attack as I go about my daily life. With these points in mind, KATA IS TIME VERY WELL WORTH SPENT! 

A very happy new year to everyone. AKEMASHITE OMEDETOU GOZAIMASU!

押忍!

 © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).