#75 Kata Concepts

As I alluded to in the previous Random post, Master Choi taught us some points about Kata.  While it really isn't possible to write or describe about it on my blog, what I can do is replicate some written material he gave us in regards to the first 7 kata.  The source appears to be from Kendo, by Jinich Tokeshi.

Benefits of Studying Kata

1) Body and Appearance

• Refine your composure and mannerisms
• Imrpove good and proper posture
• Cultivate grace, refined character and dignity

2) Mind and Mental

• Become agile - mind and brain action
• Become aware of the thoughts and actions of others
• Develop spirit and energy

3) Kendo Techniques

• Lose undersirable technical habits and get proper or right skills
• Understand the proper ma'ai
• Develop attack and defense skills
• Learn opportunity and moment

As a basis of shinai keiko, Kata practice is valuable for learning the various waza, such as the nuki, suriage, kaeshi and ukenagashi.

Comprehend the principles of Kendo.

There are five stances to understand

• Chudan no kamae
• Jodan no kamae
• Gedan no kamae
• Hasso no kamae
• Wakikamae

The ponme

Ipponme

Ipponme teaches gi (honestry, virtue, conviction, faith, justice, truth and power) and sen (fore).  Therefore ipponme is performed with large all out waza without apprehension.

Nihonme

Nihonme teaches jin (benvolence, endurance, and practice).  Thus, although the shidachi is capable of fatally striking the uhcidachi, he strikes the kote instead and spares the uchidachi's life.

Sanbonme

Sanbonme teaches yu (courage) and how the win without injuring the opponent (kuraizume)

Yonhonmen

The hasso no kamae (eight-faceted stance) represents wood or trees.  The wakigame (hip stance) represents gold or metal, which can smash wood.  Yonhome teaches large auichi waza (simultaneous striking technique).  Kirimusubi (chaffing) relates to a sense of proper tsubazeuiai (hand guard fight) in shinai kendo.

Gohonme

Jodan no kamae represents fire.  Chudan no kamae represents water, which can put out the fire.

Ropponme

Chudan represents water and gedan represents earth, which can cover up the water.  When the uchidachi takes the Jodan (fire) stance, the shidachi responds with the chudan stance.

Nanahonme

(blank)

How to improve Kata

• Keep eyes on each other from start to finish
• Uchidachi always iniates the movement, from front foot and retreat from the back foot.  Shidachi is always the follower and the same as uchidachi.
• Do together - finish by a nice harmony
• Open Kiai and Close Kiai [Opening kiai is Yaaaah, close Kiai is Tooooh!, so that it becomes Yaaahtoooh! so that the Toh follows as soon as possible and finishes strongly]
• Use your body when walking - suriashi (abdominal) and ayumiashi (shoulder)
• Show zanshin
• Back foot up to the proper distance after a datotsu so that the feet are not wide apart
• On datotsu, strike through the datotsubui with the monouchi (cutting zone)
• Em lyu kyo jaku (slow fast strong weak) [e.g., a fast cut is not necessarily stronger]
• Abdominal breathing
• Consider the opportunity and right moment for attack
• Ma'ai