Variety of Kata Practice

 

Speed and power will come with form and exactness of movement.
-Tatsuo Shimabuku

 

 

 Anko Azato interview, Ryukyu Shimbun (1914)
Translated by George Alexander and Scot Mertz

 

"Once you have learned karate all around, you might want to break it apart and study its individual techniques. When you practice for the very first time, just relax and try to learn the movements. Once you know what to do, then do it with 70 to 80% of your power. Do not do it with a lot of power from the beginning because you will not be able to develop your body strength instantly. Give it some time. Go with 20 to 50% of your power sometimes and when you perform in front of people, I recommend you go with 70 to 80% of your power."

 

(Photo of Tatsuo Shimabuku performing Seiunchin kata, 1966)