This series of articles explores the basics of "bunkai" (kata application). Over the last six parts we've been discussing the fundamentals of this vitally important aspect of karate. We've seen how the most common kata movements can be applied at close-range. We've also examined the key concepts of bunkai which, when understood, will allow you to understand kata.

In this series of articles we've been looking at the basics of "bunkai" (kata application). The purpose of these articles is to introduce the fundamentals of this vitally important aspect of karate to those relatively new to the martial arts or bunkai study.

In this series of articles we've been looking at the basics of "bunkai" (kata application). The purpose of these articles is to introduce the basics of this important aspect of karate to those relatively new to the martial arts or bunkai study.

Welcome to the fourth part of the basic bunkai series. "Bunkai" refers to the analysis and the practical application of the techniques of traditional kata. In previous articles we've looked at some of the basic applications for common kata movements such as age-uke, shuto-uke and gedan-juji-uke. We've also looked at some of the fundamental concepts of bunkai which are the keys to this area of martial study.

In this series of articles we are exploring the basics of kata application (bunkai). The aim of these articles is to open up this fascinating area of martial study for those who are relatively new to karate and similar arts, or who are new to bunkai study.

Earlier in this series, we established that at close-range blocking is highly unlikely to work (too close and too fast). We also covered that the kata motions now labelled as "blocks" in modern dojos, were never originally intended to be used as blocks.

Kata (formal forms) were regarded as the cornerstone of martial arts training by the past masters. However, many modern karate practitioners question the value of kata. Some have even stopped the practise of kata altogether. So what is the point of kata and why did the past masters place so much store in them? The answers to these questions are revealed by "bunkai" (the analysis and practical application of the movements of kata).