By Barron Shepherd
The Japanese concept of kata in the martial arts is as ancient as Japan itself. Kata are the fire in which the martial arts are forged. Kata is the epitome of the principles that under line the martial arts. The meaning of kata can not be expressed by words. Under standing comes only through experience and performance of the kata. We will expand on this in an later article, as for now I will express it with words. Within the broad scope of the martial arts kata and other formalized techniques, lies a basis for variations and modifications of technique that each martial artist may perhaps utilize as an expression of his own individuality.
Kata is the primary method by which a martial artist fine tunes his technique. How many times as a student of the martial arts have we found ourselves performing our techniques in front of a mirror, in a corner of our dojos, shadow boxing or simply training n the privacy of our homes. They are to be used as a training method or a manner of practice.
Kata is not an acronism, even though designed and established many years ago, it has been modified, reexamined, and improved upon, giving it new life bringing it in to harmony with the modern world. In other words kata is not stagnate, it is a moving living breathing thing. Kata is alive and it is practical in ancient times and today.
Jigoro Kano the founder of judo saw that kata had a lot to offer and that it could be applied to modern times. Shinken-shobu-no-kata or kata of combat dates back to the 15th century. Jigoro Kano kept the 15th century kata Shinken-shobu-no-kata or kime-no-kata as it is also called in his judo system. In this 15th century old kata there are unarmed techniques against armed opponents who wield knives and sword. Jigoro Kano once said “study the kata and you will arrive at the truth.” Kano in 1956 added a new kata to compliment the more ancient one. This kata consists of 21 techniques. The Kodokan Goshin jutsu included unarmed technigues against assailants armed with a variety of weapons including the gun. Kano saw the importance of kata, and that the principles of the kata could be utilized in modern times.
This article is not implying that kata alone is the best way to train. Kata should have an intregal part in our training and should be considered in the same light as randori or competition, it should not be omitted or its practice diminished. There are benefits from regular practice of kata other than simply performing one to pass a test. Kata is the way to preserve ancient technique, it is deliberate, practical, physical and mental. Kata helps us understand the theory of attack and defense in self defense with out injury and lets us experiment and practice. So “study the kata and you will arrive at the truth.”
