Where online can I find a good detailed description of the bunkai of Empi & Jion?

Question

I am writing a thesis and am looking for resources for it. Any one have any good sites or information of these two? I know the kata, but I want to be very detailed in my thesis on the bunkai of them and not just what i already know as a Sandan. Thanks

YES I am familiar with Nakayama books. I was looking for the old way that you are speaking of. i am writing a thesis and comparison from old day to current day sport. So good info, but was hoping to find something deeper than a sport perspective, his books are great but i need to use both perspectives. Did Funokoshi ever have his bunkai written down for others to study? I know his book shows the kata's but I cannot remember if they have his bunkai.

I CAN"T ask my own Sensei's for this is my Sandan test and I can only use outside sources, I am not allowed to ask anyone from my system for assistance. So asking others is allowed as long as they are not in my Dojo. I already have a Godan in Parker Kenpo and this will make a Sandan in Shotokan if I pass all the thesis and essays. Im not worried about the physical part that is cake compared to this lol

Answer 1

It depends on what "bunkai" is to you.

Since these are Shotokan kata, the bunkai are sport-based. You can find that on videos by Nakayama Sensei if they are still available.

By sport based, I mean that they are not the intricate bunkai that you would see someone like Taika Seiyu Oyata or someone at his level, doing.

Keep in mind that Funakoshi was Okinawan and what he learned was Ryu Kyu Kenpo. The Masters got together and changed alot of what they taught the Japanese, who forced the Oki's to teach them their art. They sent Funakoshi, who was the most educated to teach this abbreviated art.

'Shoto' was his Pen Name as a poet and calligraphy master.

He knew all the bunkai, pressure points, everything.

So most of the deeper practical application was left out and given more of a sport structure.

So, just look for the Nakayama books. He was very good and also studied Tai Chi.

Answer 2

Great question Judomofo. I do believe many techniques were hidden. Now many of those techniques are lost because no one knows what they are today. Some of them have been passed down while other were forgotten. Today it leave for private interpretations. There are 1001 possibilities within any kata. Much like when you are working on self defense techniques separate from your kata. How many ways can you block a punch? How many different ways can you counter attack? How many way can you finish off the attacker? How many ways can you control the attacker or use them as a shield if there are multiple attackers? How do I respond to an attack without leaving myself open to a counter attack? As we can see it is an endless amount of possibilities. I believe something were taught by the old masters many years into a karateka studies. Some never completed the training and never learned. Some were never taught because the old masters past away without teaching them. The knowledge was left that there were hidden techniques. This left other with private interpretations. This also left other not teaching the art correctly simply because they do not know. Hence a kata being a dance for lack of a better term. Like Shihan J said the kata is your style. Id a person knows the style Shorin Ryu, they would know that the styles is made up of joint locks and pressure point strikes. It is very little kicking. The kicks are low kicks. But I dare you to go into most shorin ryu schools and you will find students practicing high kicks and jumping spinning kicks. Hmmmm. Many of those student will not be able to execute a simple wrist lock let alone a bent arm lock. I don't even need to mention a reverse bent arm lock

Answer 3

whell this is just my advise search on yahoo or ask .com and type in what your looking for