A COMPLETE FIGHTING SYSTEM?

 By Phillip Starr

The next time you practice a given form, here's something to bear in mind...each (traditional) form is a complete fighting system in and of itself. That's what Master Seiyu Oyata (dec.) told me and it's true. This is perhaps why some Okinawan karate masters of days past primarily practiced only one kata. Certainly, they knew others but for their own personal daily training, they'd mainly practice only one. The famous Choki Motobu was known to practice the Naihanchi (in Japanese, Tekki) kata above all others.

I think that the fact that each form is a complete combative method is indicative that the various forms contain a considerable amount of information; much more than we often attribute to them. The key is to learn to “read between the lines” of the books (forms). And that requires a great deal of introspection and time. Just plodding your way through a form won't cut it. Each and every movement, as well as what appear to be “empty spaces” between the readily distinguishable techniques, must be studied carefully.

The meaning and application of numerous movements may very well change as you explore different rhythms/timings and once you find an application that you favor for a given action, remember that it isn't enough to simply know that it's there; you have to PRACTICE it over and over until you can apply it without having to think about it. This is what kata is for.

And remember that the Asian people are very pragmatic. There's no such thing as an “empty” movement; each and every movement is pregnant with meaning. They contain jewels that wait silently for you to dig them up.