[What we do part one]

.: What we teach

The importance of Kata

Basics Kata Uke Waza Uke Tski Waza Empi Waza Sanshin Tensho Naihanchi Kushanku Seishan Chinto Pairs work

Kata is thought of in many ways; from the mystical to impractical. With this range of though, it is no wonder that kata is so misunderstood. Kata is seen as a form of mental exercise or meditation in which the practitioner seeks to better themselves by seeking perfection. It is also seen as a form of physical exercise by building a strong and healthy body through constant practice. While these things can be gained through the practice of kata, it is not their full intention. Kata is technique! By practicing kata and studying the underlying meanings, a better understanding of true technique can be realized. Kata techniques can be divided into two categories; obvious and hidden. Obvious techniques are those that are easily recognizable and duplicated: blocks, kicks and punches. These things are easily obtainable without practicing kata and this is why many think that kata is not needed.

The hidden techniques are well refined pure karate. It does not make sense that we can learn ten to twelve katas in a few years when one kata represents a lifetime of study and work for its originator. These were his techniques and he would not have given them away easily. Different versions of the same kata are a result of another man's interpretation of the techniques or the addition of his own techniques.

Kata is all of the things that have been described. It is an excellent mental and physical exercise. The techniques from kata are both simple and intricate. All techniques are worth while if you can make them work. The kata is a lifetime of work rolled into a few moves. It takes another lifetime to discover all of the meanings.

About The Bunkai of Karate

Bunkai is the interpretation of the uses of the movement of the techniques in the kata. Many operate from the angle of block, kick and punch. This is operating the kata at the base or primary level. The other extreme is that all the kata techniques are knockouts, both are correct but that is not what Karate is about. Look at all the history of Karate and the other pugilistic arts, the masters are all old and cannot operate from the angle of power and speed. Karate is a complete art in itself if one knows how to decipher the forms. Locks, throws, punches, kicks and pressure point techniques are all present. Only with proper understanding of the whole picture can the art be appreciated.

Most of the modern systems of Karate have in them the Heian/pinan Katas .These were abridged from the Kata Kushanku, by Master Itosu .Techniques were toned down and watered down for the elementary school system. What is not known by many Karate people is that RoRoKu (Kushanku) and his top student taught many of the Okinawan masters that came over to Fuchou province in China, White Crane (Hakusuru). Not only White Crane but female White Crane, Ro Roku.

This was told to me by my colleague Charles Wee. We are all students of Master Yek Sing Ong based in New Zealand. Master Yek's teacher for 30 years was Master Huang Shyan Shen. He was the top student of Ro Roku and also the top student of the famous Taichi master Cheng Man Ching. For years he kept the earlier part of his life in check for reasons of his own. What does all this have to do with Karate? I believe, from my understanding, that Karate is a "soft art".

Wille Chong Lee Lim

Shizendo instructors have been training with Willie Chong Lee Lim for 17 years studying under him the bunkai to kata. Shizendo uses both the Tegumi hand drills to develop the bunkai and the usual student attack response bunkai.