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James Munn
James Munn's picture
Interpretation of Bunkai

Be-aware of Complex Interpretations of Kata

The application of self defence techniques which are interpreted from the kata need to be very simple and very quick for it to be of any use in the “real world”, the more complex the techniques or movements the less likely it is going to be successful.  

Against a compliant or even a semi-compliant attacker you maybe able to pull it off, however, against a totally non compliant attacker who is actually trying to hit and hurt you it is very difficult indeed. 

The techniques should be directed at instantaneous counter striking or pre-emptive striking with a focus on finding a way to escape the situation to safety as quick as possible, the techniques should not be interpreted as a way of winning a fight.    The longer you are engaged with the attacker the greater the chance of you getting seriously injured.

I recently saw a bunkai demonstration purporting to be self defence applications which was spectacular and exciting to watch, but later when put to the test, the defender was unable to do anything other than cover up and left to wonder what went wrong.

Maybe it is the interpretation of the word Bunkai that needs to be clarified?

Black Tiger
Black Tiger's picture

I agree, I love it where some styles have a one strike (UKE steps forward and Punches/Kicks from right hand/leg then just stays fixed in frontstance with left hand at the hip and the right hand just left out in mid air) and TORI is a striking Machine.

UKE (attacker) - attacks - from the left side

TORI (defender) - defends - turns to left side, blocks then applies 6 or 7 different strikes/locks whilst UKE "waits"

mike23
mike23's picture

For the sake of discussion, is it possible that some techniques are not used to win a fight or to escape? If someone believes the kata were learned by Shuri guards or "police" could many movements in kata be used against a drunk in the red light district who needs to be controled or thrown to the ground in a scuffle? Or a pesant who has simply broken the law or sorts?

Th0mas
Th0mas's picture

mike23 wrote:

For the sake of discussion, is it possible that some techniques are not used to win a fight or to escape? If someone believes the kata were learned by Shuri guards or "police" could many movements in kata be used against a drunk in the red light district who needs to be controled or thrown to the ground in a scuffle? Or a pesant who has simply broken the law or sorts?

Isn't it true that all techniques are context sensitive? I think it is a general truism that "come-along" or controlling techniques that rely on pain (of which there are a few examples of such in kata) have their effectiveness significantly reduced if your assailant is already in full "fight" mode - angry, emotional etc (and/or under the influence of drugs and alcohol). 

Those techiques work  well when your opponent has not had a chance to build up a head of steam or is surprised by your aggression- such as in a dojo or as part of a pre-emptive controlling tactic .

The former situation is much more likely to be an assault/Self-protection scenario, whilst the latter is likely to be used in situations where lethal force is not appropriate - Police action during crowd control, or immobilisation of someone trying to escape... or as a preemtive technique.. 

Interesting that the former is re-active (in the sense that de-escalation has failed)  whist the latter is pro-active,,,