Bunkai-Jutsu: The Practical Application of Karate Kata

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Introduction

The term ‘Bunkai-Jutsu’ is taken to mean ‘the application of the techniques and concepts of the katas in combat.’ The word ‘bunkai’ literally means ‘analysis’. Hence, when people talk about ‘kata bunkai’ they are referring to an analysis of the kata. However, throughout the karate community ‘bunkai’ is the common term used to describe the fighting techniques of the kata. The term ‘Jutsu’ means ‘method’ and is used in reference to the actual application of techniques in combat, e.g. ‘Kenjutsu’ – ‘The method of using the sword in combat.’ Hence ‘Bunkai-Jutsu’ can be taken to mean ‘the application of the techniques and concepts of the katas in combat.’ This book will essentially cover two areas. The first area is the analysis of the katas so that the reader can understand the combative techniques and concepts upon which the katas are based. The second area is the actual application of those techniques and concepts in real combat. It is difficult to discuss both areas separately due to their interdependence. Hence, I decided upon the title of ‘Bunkai-Jutsu’ for this book as the single term captures both areas of discussion.

The practice of kata is common to the majority of karate styles, and yet kata is without doubt the most misunderstood area of karate practice. Many people practice the katas but most, if they were honest, would be at a loss to tell you why. In the vast majority of today’s karate dojos, katas are begrudgingly learnt and practised simply to satisfy grading requirements. When you study the writings of the past masters, you cannot fail to be impressed by the importance they placed upon kata. The founders of karate insisted that kata was the most important part of the art. Today, the karate world is predominately split into two camps. Those that believe kata is an archaic waste of time that should be abandoned, and those that stress the importance of kata, but when asked to justify that importance often resort to simply stating, “It’s traditional.”

The purpose of this book is to help karateka, who wish to practice karate as an effective and complete system of fighting, to extract the frighteningly potent techniques contained within the katas. It is hoped that this book will help the reader to understand why the past masters placed so much emphasis on kata training. The katas should not be abandoned or slighted, but embraced, because it is within the katas that you will find some of the most effective unarmed fighting techniques ever developed. The katas are a living record of the art’s original methods and it is within the katas you should look if you wish to practice karate in its purest and most potent form.

This book is not simply about showing you what various kata movements are for. Rather, it is hoped that this book will help you to extract the information contained within the katas for yourself. We will discuss the combative concepts associated with the katas so that you will be better equipped to understand the katas themselves. The katas are, after all, nothing but a physical manifestation of these concepts. With an understanding of the combative concepts upon which the katas are based, you will be able to determine the purpose of individual kata movements for yourself. Everything you need to be able to understand and apply the original fighting techniques of karate is recorded within the katas. You just need to be able to access that information.

The amount of information within the katas is vast. All the katas contain strikes, punches, kicks, throws, takedowns, arm-locks, chokes, attacks to weak points, strangles, wrist-locks, leg-locks, neck-cranks, ground-fighting, weapon-defences, footwork, strategy, etc. In the past, it was common for a whole style to revolve around a singe kata. The old masters would know, at the most, two or three katas. However, they fully understood that within those katas was all the information they would ever need. Every single kata is a complete system of fighting in its own right! It is hoped that this book will help you to better understand the works of genius that are the katas.

Before we move on to discuss the history and evolution of kata, I’d like to conclude this introduction by offering you my sincere thanks for purchasing this book and for taking the time to read it. I’d also like to thank you for your interest in the application of the katas in real combat. I sincerely hope that this book is of some help to you in your quest to develop your own unique understanding of Bunkai-Jutsu.

Cost: £21.00 including UK Postage and Packing
(ROI & Europe + £1.50, Rest of World + £3.00)

Note: US Dollar prices are displayed in the shopping section of this website (click on "order"). Also see "terms & conditions".

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