Kata
From AKBAN-wiki, the Martial Arts Database
| Martial arts academical terms |
| Hoplology |
| Kata |
| Kata analysis |
| Methodical pyramid |
| Reverse kata analysis |
Kata (型 or 形) (literally: "form") is a Japanese word describing detailed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs.
Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater forms like kabuki and schools of tea ceremony (chadō), but are most commonly known for the presence in the martial arts. Kata are used by most traditional Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, such as aikido, iaidō, jōdō, judo, jujutsu, kendo and karate. Other arts such as t'ai chi ch'uan and taekwondo feature the same kind of training, but use the respective Chinese and Korean words instead.
Ancient Kata - fighting forms
| Kata | |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | |
| Kanji | 型 or 形 |
| Hiragana | かた |
Budo Ninjutsu Kata | |
Taken with permission from [1]
Kata in martial arts are predetermined sequences of movement. The majority of martial arts (those who originated in China or Japan's new age) practice these sequences against an imaginary opponent. This is not the case in the ancient martial arts.
In the ancient Japanese martial arts, Budo Ninjutsu included, those sequences, Kata, are practiced, almost always, with one or more opponents. The role of the opponent in the sequence is predetermined and an inherent part of the Kata.
The Kata preserve a multitude of fight scenarios. There are more then four hundred Kata from nine methods or “schools” that formulate the base of our knowledge at Bujinkan and many known variations (Henka), which add up to thousands of forms and techniques.
One might think that because Ninjutsu/Budo taijutsu has so many Kata, Ninjutsu has a technical solution to every situation. That is not true – there are no answers to every situation one might encounter. Fighting situations are complex and evolving, the diversity is endless. There is no way to prepare a response to everything. Pre-determined limited responses could be better fitted to situations in sport or for a ring fight. In these disciplines rules reduce the uncertainty. What Koryu Budo preserves is no sport; the basic assumption of many Koryu systems, be they Japanese , Chinese or other, is that there are no rules in a real fighting situation. This leads to the idea that Kata should be abandoned or "forgotten" after implementation.
Behind many of the Kata lies strategic thinking or fighting strategy of a "no rule" situation, this is the Kata's hidden layer of meaning. This layer is the insight out of which the Kata evolved, a strategy that is as important as the actual technique of the Kata itself.
An example of a koryu kata
| Techniques of the different Ryu in Takamazu-den schools |
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Looking at a simple Kata, Sui no Kata for example, one might find: a punch to the throat and then a diagonal jump backward. Behind the actual techniques the strategy is based on an ancient understanding arrived at after many fights – striking and withdrawing is a winning technique. There is also a hidden level of meaning or strategy behind most of the Koryu and martial arts Kata.
Understanding a Kata necessitates many years of practice. Academically understanding a Kata is of little use.
