How do you imagine the actual self-defence in katas working?

Question

Do you view it as just moves against an opponent that just appears, different people attacking at separate times, or an attack from the same person/group of people?

Answer 1

Hi there

Katas are just like tools in a Workman's tool box. Its up to the workman to know how and when to use them. Kata teach principles that as a martial artist you need to extract yourself and apply in your free fighting (randori). If you perform what is known as Bunkai with multiple attackers all you are doing is the same kata but with 5 extra people. This was never the intention of the kata its just poor understanding by most westerners. You may have heard of the phrase painting by numbers. Sadly to most that's what kata practice has become. Don't fall victim to this way. Break them down piece by piece on your own. Analise the movement and think where would you apply the technique in a real life situation. By all means learn them for gradings etc but don't become a form collector. Understand the principles and the way of movement they are trying to teach. The more life experience you have and the more you train the more you will start to see in the forms.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 2

KATA was never meant to be a defence against multiple opponents but a personal library of defensive moves .
All moves in KATA are incomeplete because of secrecy their comepleteness was only revealed to uchi daeshi who would eventually inherite the leadership and only him.
There are rules for interpreting KATA properly developed by people both in the west and the orient after years of research of old documents.
Probably the best info you can find on this subject is in 2 books THE WAY OF KATA and BUNKAI JUTSU.
Most of the old masters knew at most 2 to 4 kata .This modern concept (after 1920)of teaching anywhere from 12 to 22 kata is designed only to keep the student interested and training.

Answer 3

I have to agree with the first two answers and some of their points-both are very good. I would also add that some techniques in kata have very little application in today's world. Take the spear hand thrust or nukite uchi. Most people now a days never train to be able to use this strike adequately and apply it yet katas are still taught that include it. A good instructor will relate those techniques that are relevant and as well as those that are not to his students along with their purpose and application when teaching a kata.