Kingstowne Karate Dojo June 2007 News Letter

Old Sensei Bunkai: was discussed last month and so important it is worth repeating. The meaning of the word is the “applications to Kata”. Which in The Martial Artist not only needed to learn and perform most proficiently the dance i.e. the Form or Kata (the kicks, blocks, punches, stances, with correct speed and power) but equally important they needed to know and understand the application of the movement or technique demonstrated in the Kata or Form. It was the Bunkai of the Kata or Form which was kept secret in the earlier years of Martial Arts training. The student needed to earn the Master’s trust and prove their loyalty first and then the student needed prove himself worthy of knowing the secret application of the techniques. Some Martial Artist trained a lifetime and never learned or understood the Bunkai. Thus the term ‘dance’ was used because that is what it looked like to the untrained.

The late Sensei, Peter Urban, would say “you need to know and understand when to come out of the dance” meaning when to utilize the application of the technique. There are also various degrees (skill levels) of the Bunkai. Once a student could perform the basic dance (and proven trustworthy) they were explained and taught the basic application of the techniques. As the students mastered the dance and techniques, more advance techniques were shown and mastered. When teaching or training in Forms or Kata keep in mind “Kata is the Heart of Karate Do, and Bunkai is its Soul.” Put some heart and Soul into your Kata workouts and training. This explanation of Bunkai was the only thing that was actually groping in the dark. Today’s, quality of Japanese, Okinawan, Korean, and Chinese instructors are more readily available than they were thirty-five years ago. Additionally, many of these instructors are now more willing to share the “inner-secrets” of their systems’ Kata at seminars, via videos and books. This is a very important lesson and that is why it has been repeated!

<--BACK