The relationship
between karate and Ryukyuan classical dance (ryūkyū buyō) has been often
mentioned in the books of karate.
In the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom, there was actually a genre called mēkata that was a blend of karate and Ryukyuan classical dance.
It seems that Uehara sensei also saw Motobu Choyu sensei's mēkata (Aji-kata no mēkata). Unfortunately, it seems that very few karate researchers are interest in mēkata, but mēkata is very important for the solution of the history of karate
Mekata
is an Okinawan description of a very specific kata performance, not a concept
tied to a system. Quite a while ago, George Donahue described Mekata to me as
an ‘Eye kata’, meaning a performance for those watching.
It
could be where a Senior Instructor made changes to a form, so those watching
would not understand the original There
are many performances by seniors which fit that example. Or it could be changes made to a kata for a
stronger appeal for those watching the performance. This would probably cover
most of the kata done for tournaments, where changes to the original have been
made for current standards as well as those custom built forms to showcase the
individuals strengths. So appearing to
be kata, what is happening is something else.
There
are also stories of Okinawan instructors teaching at two different dojo. One
for American students, one for Okinawan students, and the kata were different
for each dojo. As I only got it third hand, I don’t feel right sharing which
instructor. But the idea is that the Okinawans were being trained in kata, and the Americans in Mekata if this is
true.
That
makes the idea of Mekata having a relation to dance.
Today
where YouTube has thousands of kata of all types instantly available, it was
not too long ago that even movies were not readily available. Much that was available were the magazines.
Many of those showing kata, there, also made changes intentionally different
from the original. So they would know if someone learned the kata from the
magazine. There was non intent in sharing the exact original, as most of the
readers were just interested in being entertained.
Jim
Keenan’s comments:
Yes. Instead of using the japanese term,
though, i talk about "performance art". Doing kata as performance art
(which, in my opinion, is the main way people do it now) is not the true kata.
funakoshi himself conributed hugely to this and admits in his autobiography
that the karate he teaches is not karate as he learned it.
Even when you, yourself, would talk
about "selling" at technique...this is the essence of megata. My
perception of your practice is you've drawn much closer to the reality of a
martial practice since your illness. You've discovered the real difference
between use and useless.
眼型
(megata), in case you wanted to know. Kata that's done just for looks. Those
screaming kids at tournaments are this idea carried ad absurdum.
By this same token, you can take a
fairly true kata and "look" it up so it actually becomes meaningless
while looking like it's full of meaning. There's a reason what's underneath is
called kakushite (hidden hand).
Mekata
a Karate Tradition
When I ran across the description of
Mekata on the Motobu- Ryu facebook page it brought memories of that description
George Donahue gave to me long ago. Well I’ve been kicking around all day, and
something has occurred to me.
Traditionally there was a relationship
between kata, mekata and dance.
It seems like for dance and mekata
public performances there were no rules, just pleasing the crowd perhaps.
Not we often discuss how much many of us
dislike what today’s completion has become. From exaggerated breathing and
dynamic pauses after each movement of a performance kata, to new kata creations
to highlite the performer ability or greater dramatic effect.
I know for me, it was reason to move my
program away from competition over 20 years ago.
But I am just realizing that what is
happening might well be within the
guidelines of traditional karate. But not so much as kata, but as mekata, just
misnamed. For in the tournament mekata way there are no rules, as we think of
them regarding the older way of kata.
So in a sense perhaps we could embrace
these mekata as traditional values, too.
Not that I am changing my opinion, but
just a consideration.
Angel Lemus Mekata were popular at village
ceremonies for example to wish for a good agricultural harvest or a good
fishing season, and also to celebrate afterwards. Of course the real Kata from
the real style of that village or region were never put on display. This is one
reason why you see also so much variety in kata forms, mostly in the Bo forms
which were one of the primary weapons to be used in these Mekata "village
dances".
Romney Taylor I remember the dark ages of
american karate, Myth, truth , half truth , obfuscation, pictures were valuable
, video was coveted . I'll bet that there are stillold films, of masters and
even Tatsuo Shimabuku that are lost on a shelf somewhere, and may never be seen
again. youtube is great , but , the tip of the Ice berg. most people do not
convert film and tape to video, they salt it away and forget.
Victor
Donald Smith I understand James Murabeto, from one of his students
who trained with us, that he had extensive movies of Shimabuku Sensei from his
time in Pittsburgh as he was the host, but they were not to be shared with
anyone. of course because of Isshinryu politics.
It is said that in Okinawa dance there
are hidden techniques of karate.
“Many Okinawan dance use movements of karate.
Pay attention to the feet and swift movement.” ~ Okinawa dancer explaining
Okinawan dance at the Isshin-kai Enbukai 2015
I said, “I told you”.
Okinawan dance and Kusanku movements.
The right photo is Nakazato Joen Sensei, 10 Dan, Shorinji-ryu karate.
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