How to interpret Kata

In recent years there has been lots of discoveries and advancements about how one should be reading kata.

Renowned Karate researchers and historians like Patrick McCarthy, Iain Abernethy, Jesse Enkamp, Mario McKenna to name a few, have all contributed extensively to provide the Karate world with a guide of how Kata should be read.

This guide that was built from discovered texts and clarifications from old time Karate masters like: (Seikichi Toguchi, Kenwa Mabuni, Gichin Funakoshi, Anko Itosu, Morinobu Itoman, etc…) that have been painstakingly translated by the efforts of the aforementioned researchers and historians, in order to offer us a time capsule of sorts of how Karate was practiced in days of old.

Theory

The theory is that originally Kata began as sets of paired drills or “sparring sets” practised by ancient martial artists. Over time large numbers of these drills became difficult to remember and so the defensive portion of the drills were assembled together into units and became the first Kata. It is worth noting that these would probably have been Chinese martial art forms. By the time Kata were created in Okinawa, the concept would have been well established.

The attacking methods were not recorded in the forms and are therefore unknown. However, they may be inferred from limb and body positioning and preceding and following movements through the process of bunkai. It has been theorised by Patrick McCarthy that the drills and defensive routines recorded were responses to Habitual Acts of Physical Violence (HAPV Theory).

This article will attempt to decipher how Karate was meant to be, by understanding how to interpret Kata. In order to do so I will do my best to list the guidelines, how I understand them to be and offer some personal insight on how they can be used.

So let’s begin.

The 4 Protocols (Iain Abernethy)

Protocols are in essence rules of conversation, they put a framework on how to properly converse in a given language (environment) in this case the language is Kata.

The 4 protocols read as such:

• Kata are only interpreted from the individual practitioner’s perspective. Meaning, don’t interpret the Kata based on what the opponent might be doing, but only from the practitioner’s perspective. i.e. if I turn to my left, that would represent the angle I have taken in relation to the opponent.
• Kata are thought in sequence, but don’t have to follow the sequence to be applied. What is meant here, is that Kata often contain options that can be used to overcome resistance or provide variable applications. You can’t predict what an opponent will do, therefore, the Kata can’t either.
• Kata never deal with multiple opponents. They are sequences for dealing with an individual, by presenting options and resolutions to overcome resistance from an attacker.
• Kata do not provide demonstration of techniques for dealing with long range punches and kicks, but rather detail movements at clinch range distance.

Kaisai no Genri (Seikichi Toguchi)

This is a theory and set of rules of thumb which were used by Gōjū-ryū karate master (Seikichi Toguchi) to extract the primary fighting applications of Kata.

Here are some rules from Kaisai no Genri that should be applied when interpreting Kata:

• Don’t be deceived by directional changes(embusen) in the Kata. Many Kata were modified to accommodate small spaces.
• Techniques applied while advancing = offence. Techniques applied while retreating = defence.
• There is only one enemy and he is in front of you.

Those listed above are the main three, however, Toguchi lists an additional 9 advanced rules:

• Every movement in Kata has a fighting application.
• A hand in a closed position usually has something in it or is a strike.
• Utilize the shortest distance to your opponent.
• If you control your opponent’s head you control your opponent.
• There are no blocks in Kata.
• Angles in Kata are important.
• Touching your own body, indicates you’re touching the opponent’s.
• Don’ attack hard targets of your opponent with hard parts of your body.
• There are no pauses in application.

Key Points for interpreting Kata (Iain Abernethy)

Iain Abernethy has also provided these additional 3 key points that assist with determining application of technique found within Kata. These are listed in order of importance.

• Angles, the direction that the motion appears in the Kata, Keep the enemy in front of you, but don’t stay in front of the enemy. Move toward what you know and away from what you don’t know. The line (position) you take relative to the opponent.
• Stance, the posture we see the motion being applied from. To and through. Karate has many stances it also has none (Genwa Nakasone). Where is the energy going? Weight distribution!
• Arm position, the passive hand is either telling you where the opponent is or clearing an obstruction out of the way. Kata is for close range, not long-range punches and kicks.

Another worthy note Iain makes is worth remembering “Fighting is consensual, Self Defence is not. Kata is Self Defence!

The Chinese connection

Many Chinese martial arts like to focus on Theories, Concepts and Principles that the movements are attempting to convey instead of focusing on application (bunkai).

In this way the movements relay information that can be transmitted to many other movements that contain the same Theories, Concepts and or Principles making the need for an excessive number of forms unnecessary. This method also empowers the practitioner with some creative license, allow them to build on the fly movements that share Theories, Concepts and or Principles (that otherwise might go undocumented).

Definition:

• Theory: A system of ideas that are independent. i.e., “The Centre Line Theory”.
• Concept: A plan or intention, these are tactics that aid in managing an encounter. i.e., Flanking the opponent.
• Principles: The foundation for a system of belief, techniques or movements can share principles.

Another tool the Chinese martial arts use to convey tactical knowledge to practitioners is the use of Idioms.

Idioms are a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (i.e., raining cats and dogs, see the light).

Idioms:

• Wing does not stop or stay: This is referring to techniques not being static, but continuous in nature.
• Punch comes from the heart: This is referring to striking or attacking with conviction, i.e., Punch from the soul.
• Simultaneous attack and defend: This refers to attacks occupying the centre line, or one hand arresting while the other attacking simultaneously. Can also reference (Best defence is a strong offence).
• He comes, I remain, he leaves, I pursue, thrust in as hand becomes free: This is a battle tactic, a formula for success, it refers to centre line control and pressuring the opponent.
• Move first to get the initiative: This refers to getting out of the way, or changing lines of attack, can be done while bridged.
• Two sticks make one sound: This refers to timing. Can also reference (Simultaneous attack and defend).
• Have shape hit shape, no shape hit impression, no impression cleave centre: This refers to maintaining and regaining your squareness (keep opponent in front of you).
• Best defence is a strong offence: This refers to pressuring the opponent to keep them on the defensive.

As you can see, by understanding all what is indicated above, one can begin to properly interpret Kata. By relying on protocols and rules of thumb and linking in theory, concepts and principles along with idioms (battle tactics) one has a much better chance of interpreting Kata in the way it was originally intended.

However, is it enough? I think not.

It may be enough to help interpret the Kata’s original message, but not necessarily the recommend application as per the individual practitioner.

This will require a more hands on experimental approach that can only come from live drilling with a resisting partner.

Live drilling in various situations i.e., bridging and bridge control, take downs and throwing, grappling and submissions, is the only way to connect ideas and understanding on how to work the techniques that Kata are trying to teach.

All drills can be done individually or united to form a more comprehensive drill. Live drilling can be done with a co-operative partner in order to teach the technique as well as against a resisting partner in order to discover solutions.

Which will bring to light how a technique is to be performed by the individual practitioner. You see not all practitioners share the same characteristics, what works for one might not work for another, Kata is not a one size fits all. It’s a way of reminding the practitioner of a structured solution that might have to be modified in order to work for the individual.

This goes a long way to explain the numerous bunkai per Kata technique!

Let me clarify, in applying the protocols, rules and idioms one can definitely eliminate many mis-constructed bunkai but many well-constructed bunkai will remain, can all the ones that remain be all right?

Yes, that’s were your personal Karate becomes clear, it will be your Karate, a style of self defence unique to the practitioner, discovered through live drilling and re-enforced by Kata.

Robert Teske