(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.
The kata/forms I hsve studied (Victor Smith)
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 foot soldiers 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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