I am saying it is like dance, in the sense that it is a set of movements that are to be practiced to perfection. Yes, I spent many a time at a competition, and I experienced a lot, but I am by no means saying that Karate or Kata is useless! I have spent many hours convincing others that there is more to Kata than meets the eye. However from my experience Kata has never been applied as much as it could be and I feel this emphasis has been lost.
Dear Jamboni - after 40+ yrs of Shotokan practice and 20 yrs as a doorman, may I respectfully suggest that you wasted 8yrs in a Culdesac and not on the Shotokan way. I would also suggest that you, for example, go tell Terry O'neil, Dave Hazard, Aidan Trimble, Frank Brennan, Elwyn Hall, ( the list is long - take your pick) that they practice a Karate that is only for scoring points ! Or if you in UK please come as my free of charge Guest to a Class and I would be pleased to enlighten you
@jamboni@jamboni - take a look at The Art of War clips, also on this site and perhaps you'll have a different opinion. All the Shotokan fighters you'll see in these clips practice kata as much as kumite, with equal dedication, and these men and women are real world class Shotokan fighters who can certainly deal with 'real life' fighting.
@200374 I saw that video, and I am not saying kata is completely useless, I have 8 years of experience practicing kata! And from that experience I know that a lot of competition, particularly KUGB, the emphasis is all about scoring points and not realistic techniques, in kata or kumite, and kata has almost become like dance than sequenced defence. Which is fine if you are wanting to strengthen your mind by perfecting demonstrative technique.
@jamboni I'm not clear on your point here - are you saying that the techniques you've seen in The Art of War are 'like a dance'..? I and many more Shotokan practioners have had many years training in Shotokan, and all, I feel sure, would state that kata is a fundamental part of Shotokan. You say that your 8 years of kata experience has told you a lot about the competition, particularly KUGB and their 'emphasis is on scoring points'...! A KUGB squad session would quickly change your mind.
@jamboni Thanks for the aggressive response. I am not asking for a fight, I am explaining my point of view and experience to gain an understanding of other's interpretation of kata. I have trained with Bob Poynton, the late Charles Naylor and Andy Sherry and I am by no means discrediting their abilities. What I am saying is that how they originally trained kata does not come across in the KUGB competitions anymore. I myself emphasise the importance of bunkai and application.
Exsellent video best of the best jka masters ,
fredkarat 3 weeks ago
Great the power and dynamic and total control of technic shotokan karate,The are always welcome to try it out Thnx and all the best oss.!!!
fredkarat 9 months ago
I am saying it is like dance, in the sense that it is a set of movements that are to be practiced to perfection. Yes, I spent many a time at a competition, and I experienced a lot, but I am by no means saying that Karate or Kata is useless! I have spent many hours convincing others that there is more to Kata than meets the eye. However from my experience Kata has never been applied as much as it could be and I feel this emphasis has been lost.
jamboni 9 months ago
Dear Jamboni - after 40+ yrs of Shotokan practice and 20 yrs as a doorman, may I respectfully suggest that you wasted 8yrs in a Culdesac and not on the Shotokan way. I would also suggest that you, for example, go tell Terry O'neil, Dave Hazard, Aidan Trimble, Frank Brennan, Elwyn Hall, ( the list is long - take your pick) that they practice a Karate that is only for scoring points ! Or if you in UK please come as my free of charge Guest to a Class and I would be pleased to enlighten you
fujicolt 9 months ago
@fujicolt well spoken ,oss
fredkarat 9 months ago
@jamboni @jamboni - take a look at The Art of War clips, also on this site and perhaps you'll have a different opinion. All the Shotokan fighters you'll see in these clips practice kata as much as kumite, with equal dedication, and these men and women are real world class Shotokan fighters who can certainly deal with 'real life' fighting.
200374 9 months ago
@200374 I saw that video, and I am not saying kata is completely useless, I have 8 years of experience practicing kata! And from that experience I know that a lot of competition, particularly KUGB, the emphasis is all about scoring points and not realistic techniques, in kata or kumite, and kata has almost become like dance than sequenced defence. Which is fine if you are wanting to strengthen your mind by perfecting demonstrative technique.
jamboni 9 months ago
@jamboni I'm not clear on your point here - are you saying that the techniques you've seen in The Art of War are 'like a dance'..? I and many more Shotokan practioners have had many years training in Shotokan, and all, I feel sure, would state that kata is a fundamental part of Shotokan. You say that your 8 years of kata experience has told you a lot about the competition, particularly KUGB and their 'emphasis is on scoring points'...! A KUGB squad session would quickly change your mind.
200374 9 months ago
@200374 ...But if one wants to defend oneself there is no better practicality than with an opponent.
jamboni 9 months ago
@jamboni Thanks for the aggressive response. I am not asking for a fight, I am explaining my point of view and experience to gain an understanding of other's interpretation of kata. I have trained with Bob Poynton, the late Charles Naylor and Andy Sherry and I am by no means discrediting their abilities. What I am saying is that how they originally trained kata does not come across in the KUGB competitions anymore. I myself emphasise the importance of bunkai and application.
jamboni 9 months ago
@jamboni And some dojos "Shotokan" only reflects competition! Oss...
Sundome1 9 months ago
Yes i admit i could have written that better.
jamboni 9 months ago
Very nice! :) thanks for sharing.
shotokankjs 9 months ago