I'm interested mostly to find out if there are any other like minded karate practioners who are also dedicated to a single kata.
I've been practicing what is basically the Seibukan/ Seidokan version of Seisan for two years, and I've yet to find someone who also practices only a single kata. I've heard of people having a main kata while practicing their style's other kata, but I've yet to find a single kata practioner.
Anyone here do this?
I don't, but there's an excellent book by somebody, who has done it.
"Five Years - One Kata" by Bill Burgar, ISBN 0954446607
It's worth a read!
I’m not sure about people on this forum, but there are certainly other karateka who have a similar approach. Bill Buger’s book “Five Years, One Kata” is an interesting read on his experience of making Gojushiho his only kata;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Years-One-Kata-Putting/dp/0954446607
You may find that of interest?
All the best,
Iain
PS Welcome to the forum!
You beat me to it Marc! :-)
Practicing only a single kata is quite difficult to do, these days. The vast majority of karateka are part of organizations, which have set curriculum that must be taught and maintained. It's really only the independent dojo, or the students whose Sensei are willing to ignore the curriculum, that can do this, it would seem. For that reason, I think you'll find many more people who practice a larger set of kata (our style has 18, for example), but focus on a handful (Naihanchi, Passai, Kusanku, and Seiyunchin, for me).
I don't come from a traditional karate background, so I only know two katas and I haven't practiced them for a while. Im gonna try this
Thanks for the responses.
In response to chao2, Go for it! The most difficult part is finding a training partner. Luckily, my wife is onboard with this craziness. I think she enjoys knowing how to hurt me.
In response to Wastelander, it is difficult not to be part of an organization. I have no teachers, so everything is independent study, experimentation and practice. I have some pretty haggard copies of The Way of Kata, the Bubishi, Karate-do kyohan, and the Essence of Okinawan Karate-do. If Iain Abernethy's videos were on vhs instead of online they would have worn out a long time ago. I have no organization to legitamize what I do, no rank, no belt, no certificates.
I've been meaning to read Five Years One Kata, for some reason I keep forgetting about it. A lack of money is also a reason I practice only one kata. It's very cheap.