But
you discover that what is incontrovertible truth for one art that produces
marvelous people, in not necessarily true for another art that also produces
marvelous people.
It
is a wide world after all, and there are many truths that still work, even
which hold to divergent principles.
I
would like to discuss one concept, that of Bunkai, from my experience.
When
I began there was no talk about bunkai in my instructors curricula. He followed
a different powerful paradigm for what he taught. Then when I went out to train
with many other friends the concept ‘bunkai’ was never mentioned or taught when
I was there. This was rouhgly between 1979 to the mid 1980s.
I
am not saying that it was not there, but I heard nothing about that ever.
The
one exception was when I began training with Tristan Sutrisno. Bunkai was not a
practice for kyu study, ever. Eventually he explained what it was, how it
worked from his father in Indonesia, and explained why it was a dan study.
Let
me make it clear I am not an adept of his system. He showed me some of his
students shodan bunkai studies. Explained in detail what the dan study of
bunkai entailed. How a different structure was used at each of the 5 dan
levels, and did explain a bit of the 3rd and 4th level
bunkai were, and one time he demonstrated a bit of what I surmise the 5th
level was.
There
was a reason it was not a kyu study. Not that his students studies were
incapable of doing the job. Rather the kyu more importantly was working on
power, technique, flow and speed firstmost. It was more important to prepare
that first.
Then
at dan began a lifetime of study; No student ever worked out how a technique
would be used. But each of the dan studies were explosive to eliminate a threat
if used. The driving force was not the kata technique, rather there were
movement points within the kata execution where each was a unique series of
responses flowed from the kata, Each unique and unknowable by anyone viewing
the kata. Then there was a 1st level bunkai version of the kata, and
other versions for each subsequent dan study.
For
me, his definition was the only definition I ever really accepted for ‘bunkai.’
About
the mid 1980s the concept of bunkai began to be written about in the magazines.
This was a bit before the Oyhata and Dillman stuff.
However
what was being shown as the bunkai was nothing like I had seen in the Sutrisno
system. In fact when YouTube began to show the entire world using bunkai, I
began an exhaustive review of almost everything I could find. To date I have
found no one in the world uses the same definition I had learned.
Now
I gathered many different ways karate technique could be used, then I began my
own study on how a technique could be used. Among the first studies was 50
different way the first technique from my Seisan kata could be used (with
variable definition as to what that technique was… a move, a series of moves,
etc). As I went I focused on the underlying principles behind those
applications.
As
my studies continued I also studied with Sherman Harrill for about a decade of
clinics. On his death I pulled my notes together and discovered he showed me
800 application possibilities for Isshinryu’s 8 kata. And that was only a part of his studies over 40
years.
However,
while I taught some of them, they gave me further impetus for my own
studies. Now I have no idea if they were
things he worked on, they were new to me.
I
also spent time with his senior student John Kerker, learning more what was
behind what Sherman taught.
Personally
for me the word ‘bunkai’ is the definition Tristan Sutrisno taught me. From
learned friends I got a number of different ways ‘bunkai’ could be used. But I
am not a Japanese scholar, and all those who shared with me did so in English,
so I developed my own terminology for the concept ‘bunkai.
As
I saw it there is movement and stillness forming kata. Those portions of
movement and stillness can be used to insert same into an attack (any attack).
Then there is the study as to how that movement fo stillness from any kata can
be used. To me that study is Application
Analysis. Then I realized in time that study of Application Analysis is only part of the study. For then the larger
study take hold, how to use that Application Analysis to reach Application Realization.
This
was a continual sharing with my adult students, over decades of work. These
experiences are what I bequeathed to them. Then my disabilities caused me to
move 2000 miles away from them. I continued to share my thoughts, etc. on my
blog and through continuing private memos.
Then
last week a discussion with Steve Williams made me think about so many hings,
and once I begin I rarely set that process aside.
So
with that introduction let me begin. And this is what I have written about
before, perhaps in a newer context.
As
I an now seeing what I was working toward was in fact a literal interpretation
of development of the Body, the Mind and the Spirit of my students.
The Body
Partially
based on the practice of kyu development found in Sutrisno Shotokan training,
my focus for the kyu was always on the development of technique, timing,
shifting then power and alignment. There were focused drills which could be
used for self defense, but they were supplemental to kata study. Correct kata
study is of course correct execution of the basics of the style. Without development of correct technique the
student had far less to work with in understanding how kata technique could be
used. Nothing was hidden from students
as to what karate would be used for, but that was clearly a focus of Dan
training. The kata of Isshinryu as well as supplemental kata from various
systems added to the students challenge. The supplemental drills taught were
all for preparation for the black belt initiation, working to develop skills
useful in later dan studies.
The Mind
The
study of the uses of kata technique or their use from Application Analysis
began after shodan. I thought it best to begin looking at 50 or so applications
to the first movement (s) of kata Seisan. The number was not the thing. It was
to realize that every possible application could enter any attack and conclude
that attack.. Along with the study the dan begins to experience the underlying
principles that make any application work.
Once
the dan completes that initial study then they experience how I randomly shared
such studies across the kata we worked with. This is an openended study that
continues for life.
There
supplemental studies that also continue for life. Some supplemental kata
studies, our kobudo studies which are another force enhancer that allowing
decades for work contribute to the effectiveness of the empty hand technique.
The
goal is not necessarily to understand the use of each movement of our kata. In
time that becomes possible as they learn more and more about the underlying
principles behind those applications. Until they eventually are capable of
their own Application Analysis of any technique.
The
study is unending once you truly understand every technique can conclude every
attack if you understand how it may be applied. The continuing never ending
study of kata, kobudo and applications is also a major component at keeping
one’s mind fresh and aware. By continually keeping learning you are in fact
keeping your focus ever growing, alert and retouching the beginners mind.
Another useful component for the long term martial artist.
For
you have also realized that Application Analysis is but a very small part of
the real challenge.
The Spirit
Understanding
even one potential use of a movement or stillness is only the first step. The
next step is working toward Application Realization. Where the initial stage of
study is against standard attacks at relatively slow speeds. Necessary because
every learning begins somewhere. Then you have to work against ever faster and
stronger attacks, over and over. To get to the point you fully trust that
technique to make it work. It is only then that your spirit drives you ability to
fully utilize the technique. And that is a much more difficult task to
accomplish. Having knowledge that a thing is possible is not enough. You have
to be skilled in actually trusting your technique, or you will instantly
abandon it for something you feel more comfortable with. While a reasonable
choice under stress to be able to succeed. You only really reach being
unpredictable by being able to drive your spirit behind whatever technique you
choose to use.
Conclusion
Only
when you are able to fully unite the Body, the Mind and the Spirit can you reach
towards full effectiveness. Making your response working and unpredictable. Flowing with the attack and ending it without thought,
without worry about what technique to use.
I
make no claim that I have accomplished all of this, but I have made some small steps
toward this. I hope my students take it further.
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