If you had only a choice between one tool that has many functions, versus one tool that has one function, you would surely choose the one tool with multiple functions. Given enough time someone on a mission to create and establish an effective self defense system that is easy to teach and covers all the essential elements needed to execute the skills learned, would eventually end up with something extremely similar to if not identical to Karate Kata. This is what I feel the originators of Karate were trying to do.
What are we really dealing with when it comes to Katas? It’s generally accepted now that a Kata is a catalog of techniques and not a pretend fight against invisible ninjas. And I agree. But what else is it? If kata is so integral to Karate then it should serve a greater purpose than just an encyclopedia of specific self defense techniques notated in dancelike format(one tool, one function). I believe the best Kata were meant to be a catalog of all the multi-tools of that Katas creator. Not only that but the multi-tools of footwork, calisthenics, and general fight strategy involved in executing that Katas techniques. Some Katas would also have a second set devised as a partner drill, or at least meant for the learned to create their own drills from their knowledge and study.
Look at the beginning of Kushanku/Kankudai where you punch and shift at the same time, both right and left, this indicates slipping and countering tactics. There are two movements where you crouch and one where you jump and turn landing on all fours, some systems with this kata don’t have the jump but still contain the drop to the ground. There are step in elbows, a jump kick, open and closed hand techniques, various turns and stance shifts. Compare this type of kata to Naihanchi/Tekki. Naihanchi is done all in horse stance, which is great for building leg strength, footwork is side to side, it teaches hip rotation and drop stepping to generate power, has hooks, uppercuts, hammer-fists sweeps, kicks, knees, and a clinch. As well as the footwork and body movement needed to off balance and throw. In application it would look more like judo with dirty boxing, much like Muay Thai. Basically a standing grappling style with powerful strikes and crude ground-fighting techniques. Whereas Kushanku would look more like Lyoto Machida who fights in the UFC. A slick kickboxing style with jumping kicks, quick knees and elbows, takedowns,trips, and open hand strikes, using and relying on movement to defend and attack.
Both of these kata contain the movements needed for self defense. But they also contain more than that. They have engineered within them the calisthenic movements needed to build the type of strength, endurance and agility required for the application of that particular Katas techniques. When understood in the proper way Kata become an extremely powerful tool. Gichin Funakoshi even hinted at this type of understanding when it came to Kata creation. He states in Karate-do Kyohan;
Because of its simplicity, the kata is easily learned by beginners. Nevertheless, as its name implies, this form is of the most profound character and one to which, upon mastery of the art of karate, an expert will return to select it as the ultimate training kata.
I completely agree with him. In this he was referring to the Taikyoku Kata, but as someone who trained with Azato, Itosu, and Matsumura, I think he would have some understanding of the intentions behind Kata creation, and expected those who study Kata to figure things out as well.
The sixth precept of Ankoh Itosus 10 precepts of Karate gives a direct explanation of how to learn and figure Karate out.
Practice each of the techniques of China Hand repeatedly, the use of which is passed by word of mouth. Learn the explanations well and decide when and in what manner to apply them when needed. Enter, counter, release is the rule of torite.
Here Itosu hints at the tradition of teaching the techniques where the explanation is transmitted verbally, they must be “learned well”, implying time and practice in understanding the explanation, presumably to build muscle memory and body awareness while fully comprehending the movement. To me this sounds more like teaching and learning dynamic principles rather than actual fine details of an individual technique. Then after-which the when and how to apply them is your decision. What we have here in my opinion is exactly how a self defense multi-tool would be taught and used. You learn the movement, the teacher explains the meaning of the movement to you verbally, you spend time learning these explanations by practicing the movements over and over so they are ingrained in your mind and body, then you figure out how to use those movements for self defense. That to me, is what Kata is.
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