Why Is Kata So Important
By Ric Light
There are three basic aspects of karate training which are kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite but in Jin Wu Koon karate we focus on kata. Kata places all kihon in context and connects it with other kihon. Kihon can be learned on its own to start with but makes more sense and has more meaning as part of a kata. It can be learned within the flow involved in kata, the changes of direction and focus, and the combinations in it, like a block followed by a punch. The constant maintenance of a low centre of gravity through movement also develops not only grounding but also strength in the lower body – in the hips and legs. As you move up the ranks in karate you will learn new kihon and new combinations, but which can only be done well on the strong foundations of what you learned in previous kata.
The first kata learned seems simple until you fully understand how important the basic movements and use of the body are for karate. In JWK, kata flows and is continuous. It is not static, and your kata should only briefly pause when there is a kiai. There should be snap, focus, sharpness and power in all moves that is generated from the ground up and movement, but it must be continuous movement with only a very brief pause at the point of imaginary impact for a block, kick, or strike. Continuity and building power also apply to each single movement and technique. For example, in Kihon Kata Ichi or Ten No Kata, the first block to the left makes impact after a complex sequence of movement from heiko dachi (parallel stance) through shiko dachi to zenkutsu dachi that generates power through hip rotation. First the lower body rotates the hip anti-clockwise with the right hand’s, initial block. Then as you pull your right hand back and release your left hand gedan barai (lower block) as the second block, the power is increased by snapping your hip and rotating the upper body a fraction of a second after the hip folds. Every move in kata should have this continuity that generates flow and power as you learn to use your body effectively.
You can learn the shape of the kata, the timing, pace, and combinations but you don’t start deeper learning how to move well until you are good enough at the kata to do it well without having to consciously think about each move. You start learning by trying to have your body do what your mind wants it to do and reducing the gap as you learn until there is no gap between mind and body. When you can do the kata with flow, precision, and power without thinking, you will begin to learn valuable lessons. In Japanese this is called mushin (no mind) and when you can practise like this your body will learn without you knowing it. This is very relevant for kumite and for combat when responses must be instant, and you don’t have time to think.
Kumite in competition or in the dojo is restricted to techniques that can be controlled to avoid injury like closed fist punching and kicking and is the sport side of karate. Bujutsu is technique used in combat where the aim is to hurt or injure someone such as in war or in real life self-defence. Kata contains many bujutsu techniques that you will learn to do effectively when you can do the kata well. They can also be practised in non-contact work with a partner or partners and by striking hit pads for some techniques. These techniques can never be used unless you find yourself in a life and death situation or one where you must defend yourself or someone else against a serious threat.
