Mekata

 

 https://ameblo.jp/motoburyu/

 

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. 

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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.