Comments on: Changes in karate and its kata

By: Black Belt at 50

Black Belt at 50 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:09:08 +0000

I would agree entirely that traditions need to be judiciously, not slavishly, followed. Here’s my question: in the last decade in the martial arts, we’ve seen some big trends with growth in MMA, XMA, & Muy Thai to name a few. What do you think is coming over the next ten years?

By: Dave Oddy

Dave Oddy — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:36:04 +0000

Very nice post… BTW – What happened to your podcast? I miss it…

Dave

By: Will Goodwin

Will Goodwin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:42:40 +0000

I’m inclined to agree. I have my own analysis dealing with this topic at.

http://gojulife.blogspot.com/2008/06/by-any-other-name.html

By: Noah

Noah — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:29:37 +0000

I agree whole-heartedly that styles must adapt and change over time, and that kata may be reviewed and changed as well. My instructor (an 8th degree and one of the Chief Instructors of the style) has recently had us make a change to the way we perform a specific technique in Naihanchi Shodan and another technique in Seienchin because he determined that the original techniques of the kata were not able to be practically applied in the same way that they were performed. Likewise, we continue to include new methods of moving, defending, and disarming in our training as we learn new methods. If a style remains exactly the same since its creation, it will stagnate and it’s inflexibility will most certainly be its downfall, in my opinion. Very good post, sir!

By: David Chapman (ZenHG)

David Chapman (ZenHG) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:42:37 +0000

Thank you very much for reading and commenting on my post. I couldn’t agree more with everything you said. A person is not really qualified to change anything or even formulate a new art unless they understand the fundamentals of the art as a whole.

Change and evolution should happen naturally, not forcefully, it should take a long period of time through diligent study and hard work.
I look at each Kata as a system unto itself, so a person needs to know those systems inside and out, then they need to decide where THEY want to go with it, what aspects do they want to stress based on their understanding and what works for them?

Ultimately they will blend well in live-fire situations and Randori if the person does, indeed, posess such understanding and utilizes their insights to suit their strengths.
You have to have a starting point, however, I think this is a good reason for standardization, you use it as a spring board from which to gain insight, then you go from there.

Again, excellent post! Nice to come across a like-minded individual.