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Wastelander
Wastelander's picture
Why Doesn't Kata Look Like Fighting?

Hello, everyone!

I realize that, in the context of this forum, my latest article is just preaching to the choir. That said, maybe it will give you something quick to refer people to when they don't understand, so you don't have to spend time explaining it, or maybe it will give you ideas for how to explain it? In any case, I hope you find some value in it!

http://www.karateobsession.com/2017/03/why-doesnt-kata-look-like-fightin...

Chikara Andrew
Chikara Andrew's picture

It's a good article Noah, sorry its taken me a couple of attempts to go through it all. As you say there are some useful bits in there for those of us that are trying to explain to others.

I don't always comment on your articles and posts but I really do appreciate you taking the time to post them here.

Andrew

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Thanks for sharing. Good article! The fact there is more than one type of “fighting” is a huge issue. People tend to talk from their own sphere and make the incorrect assumption that what works in one context will work just as well in another.

Just as there is more than one language, there is more than one type of violence / fighting. Fluency and good understanding of one, does not mean others are wrong … indeed, depending on where you are in the world, another language may be more effective. Just as how another type of “fighting” can be better depending on the environment you are in (boxing, MMA, self-defence, judo, police, etc, etc.). People are often “martially monolingual” though and therefore don’t appreciate this. It’s a little like me (as a monolingual Brit) going to Iceland and incorrectly believing they’ve never worked out how to talk because the sounds they make don’t make any sense to me.

We need more folks who can speak “kata” :-)

All the best,

Iain

Wastelander
Wastelander's picture

It's a bit of a dense article--sorry, Andrew! I do appreciate anyone taking the time to read through it, though. And thank you, Iain! It is definitely something that a lot of people lose sight of. I've noticed it more, lately, after being added to a particular karate group on Facebook ;)

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Wastelander wrote:
I've noticed it more, lately, after being added to a particular karate group on Facebook ;)

All we can do it keep making the point. The Rory Miller quote hits the nail on the head for me:

“When I look at their kata and kihon, they have possibly the best body mechanics for infighting that I’ve seen…then they choose to test it at sparring range, where it sucks.  Or, worse, point contact range where it sucks and it screws up everybody’s sense of distance and time.”

If only our fellow karateka were so observant and able to realise the value in using the right tool for the right job.

All the best,

Iain

Zach Zinn
Zach Zinn's picture

Cool article. I always find that kind of objection to be a bit of a red herring, usually put forth by someone who has decided Kata just isn't worth anything. The fact is, most training does not look like fighting. Someone who is a bit of a spring chicken, and maybe new to martial arts, might see the things that -do- look like fighting, maybe sparring and heavy bag work and think that is most of training. In reality though. all martial artists( including combat sport folk etc.) reguarly engage in training that looks nothing like fighting.