Derby Karate Club

A long but comfortable flight to Tokyo, a walk round Yoyogi park and a little shopping before checking in to our hotel. Evening meal and a few beers at the Rugby club, No Side, followed by a few more beers at The Hub almost next door to the hotel. An excellent start to the trip.

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(Approx 1 minute 55 second read)

For many karate-ka, the allure of practicing an ‘original’ kata, untouched by time, is undeniable. But what if ‘original’ itself is a moving target?

Today, many instructors claim their kata are pure, unchanged, and passed down from a legendary master. Yet, what exactly constitutes ‘original’?

The truth is, we might never truly know the exact movements those ancient forms embodied.

Across styles, lineages, and families, variations of the same kata exist. Modification - both subtle and significant - has always been a reality, even if rarely acknowledged.

While following a respected lineage is important, clinging to the notion of performing an exact replica of a long-dead master's technique might be misleading.

Why the Changes?

Aesthetics could be one factor. The incorporation of flamboyant moves might enhance a kata's visual appeal for competitions. Another factor is cultural influence. Karate's integration into educational systems likely shaped its intent, with practical applications taking a backseat.

Perhaps diversification was also intentional. Masters might have taught different versions, each emphasizing specific concepts, allowing students to tailor the techniques to their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Body types may have played a role too. Adaptations could have been made to accommodate variations in height, build, or even limitations due to injury or disability.

Many practitioners focus on the ‘look’ for competition success, potentially diminishing the true essence of kata.

While some past and present masters advocated for kata preservation, the reality is every generation introduces changes. Memory lapses and differing interpretations can lead to unintentional deviations. Our understanding largely relies on oral traditions, which by nature are susceptible to alteration over time.

This can result in practitioners performing the same kata with discrepancies, either due to forgotten details, a misunderstanding of its purpose, or simply imperfect observation.

I remember when my own aging sensei, many years ago, a man who once seemed to embody these forms flawlessly, came to me to refresh his memory on specific kata. It was a humbling reminder that even the most dedicated practitioners grapple with the challenges of preserving tradition through memory alone.

Thankfully, the landscape is shifting. Today, with the advent of video recordings and social media, we have powerful tools to maintain a more consistent record of kata. These resources allow practitioners to compare variations, delve deeper into historical footage, and ensure a more accurate transmission of these forms to future generations.

The landscape is filled with a multitude of kata interpretations, each reflecting a different lineage or school. So, the question arises: are any truly ‘original’? Perhaps not. But that doesn't diminish the value of practicing them.

Understanding the history behind the variations can deepen your appreciation for karate as a whole and hopefully inspire you to explore its underlying principles.

Are your kata original?


Photo Credit: Kenwa Mabuni, Gichin Funakoshi, Choshin Chibana


*toryu

Father's day ride out on my new toy, the third triple I've bought in 40 years, I think I was due one.

An excellent, informative and indepth session with Lee Minion Sensei yesterday, every body came away with things to work on and as Sensei said 'We are only just scratching the surface' If you missed it, you missed a lot!

A little reminder that we have our kata course this Saturday with Lee Minion Sensei of Aiwakai England . 12.30 till 4.30 in one hour slots starting with all grades on Pinan katas. All Wado Ryu practitioners are welcome.

New club polo shirts, made to order.

An excellent afternoon session with Barry Tatlow Hanshi and Lee Fall Renshi, looking at Oyhu kumite and how to practice them in a free flowing almost sparring way. Brain cells fully fried.🙂

We have spaces in most of our classes for all ages from 6 years old.

Derby Karate Club Derby Karate Club has changed its name to Derby Genjitsuteki Karate.

An excellent open mat session this afternoon, some kata practice, a little bit of Nunchuck practice for a little visitor and some excellent Bo practice with our Bo Instructor Michael Brown. Next month's Saturday session is with Barry Tatlow Hanshi looking at the link between paired work and sparring, there will be a limited number of spaces available so get in touch asap to reserve your place.

Friday class is on as normal this week, next week Monday, Tuesday and Friday classes are all on as normal then back to a full week after that. 🙂

Important dates for your Karate calendar, IMAS course April 13th at Derby university, Barry Tatlow Sensei May 18th at West Park School (suitable for Adults of all grades and junior dan grades), Lee Minion 5th Dan (Kata course) June 15th at West Park School (suitable for blue belt and above of all ages). See me for more details.