Kata in Modern Martial Arts

[Yamabushi]

Hey guys! I am doing a term paper on the significance of Kata in modern Martial Arts and i just need your opinions on the matter. The main inspiration for this study is the fact that there are a lot of Martial Artists who claim that practicing with pre-arranged techniques and motions is pointless because real combat is unpredictable and chaotic. These people prefer a more sparring-based training method as opposed to Kata. My purpose is to try to disprove them. Please answer the poll and post your thoughts!

Your posts are greatly appreciated!

P.S. if you guys have any suggestions on how to improve my research, i would really appreciate it!

[kitsuno]

[Yamabushi]

[kitsuno]

[Yamabushi]

Arigatou

[rikoseishin]

You have left this somewhat broad. Then again I guess mos polls are. Is your paper focused on gendai budo or koryu bujusu?

Search this section of the forum. I amd others have addressed this a few times.
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"The end of our Way of the sword is to be fearless when confronting our inner enemies and our outer enemies."
-Yamaoka Tesshu

Jonah Matheson

[msr.iaidoka]

Yamabushi,

Personally, I think it is just one of many tools to be used, but not relied upon. For some people kata are essential in helping them learn the techniques. For others, like me, the kata just never really stuck. I consider it more good exercise.
This is all based on my juujutsu experience and not my iaidou experience. For most iaidou styles the kata are all they have. Basically it can be argued either way on a style-by-style basis.


平和、

マット
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鋼鉄の海軍

[kitsuno]

I just re-read the question - is kata an essential part of the martial arts? Absolutely. Is it relevant to combat? probably not directly, but having perfected techniques and physical conditioning can't hurt.
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[Baian]

To add on what the others said:

To me, kata are the base/foundation (kiso). You need the basics to grow. Just like you started crawling on your belly, then on your 4 legs, then walked and finally ran. You can never practice basics too much. If the movement for your basic punch is excellent, chances that are that your movement for kenjutsu will be excellent also (according that your art has both or more).
Everything is linked.

Then again, it all depends on what type of art you refer to: koryû bujutsu or modern martial arts?

[kyushudan]

My Karate Sensei said everything in a kata has a purpose.

I would argue that of the many people who teach - even if there technique is excellent - that they may not know the significance of everything in a kata.

One example: neko ashi dachi features in many Karate katas. Why? Have you used that while sparring? I doubt it highly. I've heard you'll be able to do a speedy front leg kick. I can accept that. But, many years later I heard two more things that made me realize how how much I didn't realize. That simply training is neko-ashi dachi WILL strengthen your thighs which will give you powerful kicks & Strengthened legs will give you the ability to gain ground speedily on an opponent.

Also "real combat" was mentioned. Gichin Funakoshi only ever grabbed a would-be thief by the nuts in "real combat" (to which he was deeply ashamed) as mentioned in his book - Karate-do, my way of life.

Note: The nut-grab does feature in a kata.

Did I get off-topic?

[Yamabushi]

Hey Guys! Thanks for all the replies!!! Im really thankful for all your comments. Im also glad that the replies have a lot of variety! Oh and just to clarify, i think i posted this somewhere but then again... This topic is focused on Gendai Budo. Correct me if im wrong, but i think most Koryu Bujutsu use a lot of Kata for instruction and practice. What i want to find out is if modern martial arts training should still make use of Kata

Again, thanks for all your replies! Im really grateful! And please just keep posting your comments and experiences on the matter [/i]

[mr.miyagi]

[kendoka girl]

For me, it really improves my Kendo waza. All of the kata have techniques applicable to ji-geiko.