"HAVE THREE KATA"

 Often, I'm asked the question "What's your favorite kata?" While this question may seem somewhat shallow, it's actually a very important question that everyone (who practices karate as budo) must constantly ask themselves.

This is not only asking oneself in their thoughts and reflections, but also in their physical training.

One system I use for myself and recommend to senior graded black belts and instructors is: 

"HAVE THREE KATA!" 

Of course, you can do more but at least have these three!

The FIRST KATA is the kata which is the BEST FIT for your physique, physical attributes and fighting style. Moreover, it will feel to be the most natural for you to execute. You might 'hate' this particular kata aesthetically, but it is the best for you.

For this kata, you will need to thoroughly investigate and train its KIHONWAZA (Fundamental Techniques); OYO (Applications); and its respective 'character'. In sum, you need to make a deep dive into it. It cannot merely be a 'solo technical form', but a FIGHTING FORM. 

The SECOND KATA is a kata YOU JUST REALLY LIKE. This kata might totally not suit you at all. This doesn't matter. What matters is that it motivates you -- as you think it's cool -- so you really enjoy practicing it. This is the metaphoric 'desert' of your karate training. Please have fun here!!

The THIRD KATA is RANDOM (INSTINCTIVE); that is. you work on something for any particular time, then change it. This can be going through all the kata you know, or perhaps 'secondary tokui-gata', etcetera. There are no rules here, you merely follow your instincts. This is important as it will most probably result in the discovery/establishment of a new 'FIRST KATA' over time. This can be fun but, even if not, it's refreshing and inquisitive. 

Following this simple formula, over time one will acquire high-level kata performance, deep understanding and highly effective functional application. Furthermore, these three kata will seamlessly produce better kihon and improve one's capacity in jiyu-kumite.

I wish you the very best in your training.

André 

 © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).