The Nature of Kata

In the 11th century, Shinra Saburo Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, a samurai commander and relative to the emperor of Japan made detailed studies of human anatomy and physiology by the dissection of battlefield dead, convicts and prisoners of war. The purpose, of course, was to gain a better understanding of the mechanics of movement and the ways to which any weaknesses in the bodies anatomy or physiology could be exploited on the battlefield. To take advantage of this new found information and to be able to test theories of movement, new techniques and the best way to apply them, the samurai developed prearranged forms, or kata, which allowed them to practice, using a wide array of weapons, without being seriously wounded or killed.

Each Samurai family (clan) developed kata to teach their particular style (ryu) of weaponry. These family movements and techniques were protected and kept as secrets, taught only to those within the clan. The theory being that if someone had never seen your particular movements, attacks, counters or techniques they would be at a loss or disadvantage in defending themselves from them. Thus, the original purpose of kata was to teach men how to kill, and how to become skilled enough not to be killed. Kata was designed to demonstrate how to attack, where to attack, and when to attack. It teaches how to protect your self from an attack and how to counter an attack. As both sides (uke and tori )know and eventually understand both the attack and its defense, kata provides an invaluable teaching tool and the foundation of all martial arts. The design and practice of kata will protect and forgive the mistakes of both the attacker and defender. As each side practices both attack and defense, they learn the strengths and weaknesses of each technique, as well as each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Because kata allows an individual to practice the same movement or technique multiple times with people of all ages, sizes and weights, kata gives the practitioner the ability to experience how those different variables influence both the attack and their own ability to respond to those differences.

Kata is taught though a series of instructions divided by levels of both experience and knowledge. The relationship between student and teacher (sensei), between those who are more advanced and those who have just begun, builds both respect and humility. By teaching the simpler and less complex movements first, kata slowly conditions and changes the way its practitioners move and think. In this method of training, where each new technique or movement is built upon the accumulated knowledge and skills of the previous technique, kata builds concentration and focus. Over time the reflexes and understanding of movement needed to complete each technique is developed. Through this constant repetition of movement, kata builds confidence and the calmness which allows the practitioner to attack or respond to any attack without thought or reflection, without hesitation or fear, with focus and determination.

Through kata we learn the essence of each technique, we refine our own movements, and learn how to apply the principles of distance(ma-ai), balance(kuzushi) and body position(tai sabaki) to our own techniques. It is only through constant practice and attention that our bodies learn and internalize the many different variables that come into play each time we are confronted or attacked and how to respond to them.