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Black Tiger
Black Tiger's picture
Kata - Which one is best?

All I'm at a dillema.

I wish to have at least 1 (2 maximum) traditional kata in my syllabus, but don't know which one. I practice Ashihara karate as you all know, I've studied other arts as style of Karate also but I don't feel Bassai and Niseishi (Nijushiho) are on par with my style. I'm not going to consider Pinan/Heian kata series at all. I practice Chil Sung Ee Ro Hyung as part of the cooldown but its not a Syllabus kata.

I looked at others to replacing them with "Chinto (Gankaku)" as Otsuka Sensei was quoted that "..all kata lead the Chinto..." but wondered if this would fit into my syllabus and also "Kushanku (Kanku Dai)" as a Shotokan specialist (I appologise his name is not mentioned, I forgot it) states that Kanku Dai is the most important kata in Shotokan because all oter Kata can find itselt within Kushanku.

I also looked at the most commonly practiced kata being Sanchin and Seisan but thought it would take me many many years to learn these kata before i myself could teach them out. Rohai and Wanshu were kata that gave a mention in the most common Kata.

Then I thought "what about the least common kata?" but which one I want a single Kata that is quite long, has many Applications and one that would be enjoyed throughout one's lifetime with doubting it. Always I trust my Ashihara kata so want the same feeling. I ask for your Guidance OSU

Mark B
Mark B's picture

Hi

I think the question " which kata is best" is impossible to answer as choice of kata is very much a personal thing.  

You mention Passai and Niseishi- two great kata with loads of excellent applications. What is it about these forms that fails to meet your needs?

As each kata is a "system" in itself they will all contain pretty much the same info, it's just a question of approach- yours , and the different Kata. 

I don't believe there is a best kata-only lousy interpretation. 

Regards

Mark

Black Tiger
Black Tiger's picture

Mark B wrote:

Hi

I think the question " which kata is best" is impossible to answer as choice of kata is very much a personal thing.  

You mention Passai and Niseishi- two great kata with loads of excellent applications. What is it about these forms that fails to meet your needs?

As each kata is a "system" in itself they will all contain pretty much the same info, it's just a question of approach- yours , and the different Kata. 

I don't believe there is a best kata-only lousy interpretation. 

Regards

Mark

Agreed, I too do not think there is a good kata or bad kata, jsut what is best for the individual

i think what I was trying to make clear was i don't feel they fit into the style as it is. the 2 kata are awesome kata nad have a lifetime of application and study each but for me my goal is to reduce the kata list but still hold all the essence of what is being taught in my school

I have looked int Seipai Kata, as this seems to tick all the boxes and I can see elements of both Bassai and of Niseishi within this one kata, I think its been mentioned before and there is a book available on the kata (in Japanese Kanji)

but if this was the kata, what version as with every other kata it has many versions.

clouviere
clouviere's picture

To echo Mark, your question really depends on your end goal.  I think that you may be starting at the cart though.  No judgement, just an observation wholey based on your question.  The kata is nothing but a collection of techniques and strategies.  So, what my question to you would be, if you want to use one kata, based on your experience and your goals, what techniques and strategies do think best define your goals?

Based on that work or discovery period, you may very likely find that one kata you want to use.  If I was trying to get a syllabus down to one kata, I would probably use Kusanku (Kanku Dai) because it fits the majority of my applications, tecnhiques and strategies.  But I'd be hard pressed to only use one kata as part of a teaching syllabus, I'd like to have at least Kusanku, Naihanchi and Passai.  But that's just me.

At any rate, I'd say you should spend a little time asking a different question of yourself.  What applications, tecniques, strategies and principles do you think are most important.  And go from there, if you don't find a kata that you feel exemplifies that, then make one.

Chris

Zach_MB
Zach_MB's picture

If I had to boil it down I could get to three. Chinto, Kankudai, and Bassai. Chinto has some solid throws, limb destruction, and locks. Kankudai has most of the motions out of the Pinans as well as a few unique motions. And Bassai takes care of your close range, multiple opponent situations.

deltabluesman
deltabluesman's picture

So I am going to echo Chris on this one.  I think you should make your own kata.  Emphasize distilling your style into as few techniques as possible.  Which techniques are essential?  How can you best fit the core principles into minimal motion? 

Once you finish this process, you can take the kata you have made and compare it to others.  You will then know if Rohai, Seipai, or Wanshu is truly a better choice.

Who knows?  You might even create a kata that you like more than any of those.

                

shoshinkanuk
shoshinkanuk's picture

Why bother with classical kata?

From what I have seen and read re Ashihara Karate there's alot of effort to move away from classical kata, and IMO the 'fighting' kata are really good etc.

Putting that to oneside if you wanted a specific 'training' kata to add in, I would choose Sanchin for it's internal and external chigung and realted benefits etc.