By Mitani Kazuya
8-6-2011
(Translated by Joe Swift, edited by
Bob McMahon)
I have written previously on Kihon for Kumite. If Kumite and Toride are the actual techniques, then kata is the Kihon. This is the theory of Karate practice as written in Itosu's 10 lessons, i.e. to learn Kumite through Kata and to practice on the Makiwara. I also learned this way, but I was interested in how styles other than Karate did things as well.
Especially
the competitive format as developed by the JKA. As I watched this format,
I believed that Karate could also be used in this arena, so I participated in
the modern arena. I believed that 70-80% of Karate techniques could be used
there. And, just as I thought, the athletes from my organization showed the
power of Karate. I also have interest in other styles fighting techniques.
Leaving
this alone for a while, I also hear that Karate is based on kata, or that it is
a Budo passed on through kata. I have believed this way of thinking was a bit
odd over the years. The different kinds of Te probably had this tendency, but the Te of Matsumura had to have been Kumite and
Tuite. The concept of "being in time" that Matsumura passed on shows
this. Karate uses Kumite and Tuite as its central practice as well, according
to Itosu's 10 precepts.
Hanashiro Chomo Sensei (Kinjo Sensei's teacher) wrote his
"Karate Kumite" in 1905, the year Karate was established, so Kumite
existed right from the very beginning. Leaving Toride alone for a while, this
means that Kumite was a central theme in Karate. Hanashiro Sensei was one of
the originators of Karate, and he learned Matsumura's Te, meaning that the same
was true of Matsumura's Te. Also, as we can see from the 10 Precepts, Tuite was
also used in Karate.
Karate
was practiced mainly solo, but it was not Kata practice. Even if you practice
kata every day you will not improve at Karate. This is also generally
misunderstood.
Itosu
Sensei distinguished between Kumite and Toride, but I believe this distinction
is comparatively recent. I believe that they were considered the same in the
past. On the "Oshima Hikki," Te is referred to as Kumiai-jutsu. The person who
was responsible for bringing it to Ryukyu was Koshankin. Thinking on the
existence of Kushanku Kata, then it must have been Koshankin who disseminated
the Kumiai-jutsu on which this kata is based. This Kumiai-jutsu may have been
dying out or lost by the time Matsumura came around (this is why Matsumura's Te
was created), but it was the first art transmitted.
This
Kumiai-jutsu, as we can see from the kata, must have considered Kumite and
Toride as the same thing. Looking at Motobu Sensei's "Watashi no
Karate-jutsu" and "Okinawa Kenpo Karate-jutsu" (he says Karate
but it is really Shuri-te), he shows many photos within grappling range,
showing that Kumite and Tuite were not clearly distinguished. (Comparing these
photos with the Kumite photos in later books, we can see that Motobu Sensei was
actually good at what he was showing). Kinjo Sensei is the same in this regard:
when facing him and exchanging blows, you are invariably grappled and tied up.
Thus, Kumite and Toride are actually one in the same, but they were broken up
for the purposes of analysis.
The
Ten Annotations (of Itosu) -
interpreted by Bob McMahon
1. Karate was created as a Physical Education program to provide
healthy exercise, personal self-defense, and to contribute towards turning out
good citizens for the future. Karate is to be used in self-defense only as a
last resort and not to be misused to harm others.
2. Karate primarily strengthens muscles and bones and forges a
body like iron. One’s arms and legs serve as weapons and one will automatically
develop a courageous spirit. If schoolchildren learn karate then it is an
excellent way to balance out their overall education.
3. It takes time to become skillful in karate so by practicing
industriously for an hour or two each day, after three or four years, one’s
bones will change from that of an ordinary person. The essence of karate is
revealed to those that put in the greater effort.
4. In karate, you should constantly train your weapons, i.e.
your fists and your feet, on the makiwara. Expand your chest, lower your
shoulders and harness your power. Adopt a firm stance and train to place your
power in your waist. Thrust with each hand a hundred times. Kata was not
intended to be solo practice as a makiwara is a convenient partner that caters
for the weak and the strong. Unlike a human partner, there is no inconvenience
in power or experience as the makiwara accepts the power of each individual.
Karate is built on a foundation of repetitive practice. There is generally
insufficient time to do so in the dojo. The dojo is for studying the method or
way to practice. The place to practice is home.
5. In your karate training maintain a straight back and abdomen,
lower the shoulders and brace the torso. Place your ki in the sekiatanden
(about 10cm below the umbilicus). It is important to position the head as if
the top part is drawn towards the sky. The lower half of the body is taut and
the legs, held firm, are positioned as if pulled down by an underground force.
6. Please practice your Kata many times. To do so, learn the
steps thoroughly, one at a time. You need to clearly understand the purpose of
each step and then practice the practical application carefully with a partner.
Please take into account the method of Iri (attack or entering), Uke (to block
or receive), Hazushi (to escape or release), and Toride (grappling such as
joint-locks and throws). There are taught by kuden (word of mouth) and there
are many kuden to explain the movements of kata.
It
is not useful to repeat our practice without understanding what it is we are
truly practicing. We must be able to train with true purpose If we study and
practice kata with the associated kuden, we will come to understand that the
very essence of kata (shinzui) is to know when to apply the techniques!
7. You need to clearly discern which techniques in Kata are for
physical education and which are effective techniques that should be practiced.
There are 3 categories of techniques in Kata:
1. Effective (waza)
2. Physical exercise
3. Connective (with no meaning)
Not
all steps in the kata have practical application.
1.
All kata contain kumite (striking) and toride (grappling).
2.
There are Kata that contain routines that are just for ‘show’.
3.
There are steps to connect one set of moves with the next and also to assist to
maintain the geometric configuration of a particular Kata.
8. The attitude you demonstrate in karate training should be the
same as if on the battlefield. Please lower your shoulders and brace your body.
If you train as if engaging the enemy in situations of both offense and
defense, then you will respond effectively in a real encounter. Please be very
careful in your training though.
9. You may ruin your health by training harder than your body
will allow. Although it is vital to train with realism in mind, it is not wise
to exceed your physical limitations. The right balance is important
10. It was thought that karate training increased physical
strength and health. In Okinawa at that time, when there was almost no sport,
if karate could be seen to be a great way to exercise then it would be adopted
far and wide. Itosu regarded karate as a most suitable physical exercise
program, particularly appropriate for inclusion in the school education system.
Bushi No
Te Isshinryu Kata Studies
Fyugata Sho
Okinawan
school kata Kyozai
Long
Annaku
Seisan
Savage Saifa
Seiunchin
Naifanchi
Wansu
Chinto
Sutrinso Nijushiho
Rothrock
Lung le Kuen supple dragon
Kusanku
Sunsu
Sanchin
The hidden Stick.1
Matzan Tildur
Sutrisno
Bassai Dai
Sutrisno
Bassai Sho
Sutrisno Gojushiho
Tomari
Rohai
Sip
Sau Jing
Matsumara
no Hakutsuru
Ueichi Sanchin
Ueichi Seisan
Goju Seipai
Goju
Suparinpei
The hidden stick.2
The horseman’s footsoldiers form
Tokumine
no kon
Urashie
no bo
Shi
shi no kon no bo
Kusanku
sai
Chantan
yara no sai
Wansu NO tonfa
Chia
fa – hama higa no tonfa
Tanto
Chosen no kama sho
Chosen no kama dai
Short stick
Yang Tai Chi Chaun 108
Yang Tai Chi Chaun
Sword
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