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Post by AngelaG on Mar 29, 2005 6:57:27 GMT
Would you say that you tend to use the bunkai told to you by your instructor etc. or do you look for your own applications?
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Post by charmin on Mar 29, 2005 13:14:07 GMT
Personally I only remember bunkai as long as necessary for grading.
I find extracting applications from kata slightly meaningless when it's easier to perform the same moves without the restrictions of calling them "bunkai". Bunkai consisting of sequences of moves I discard especially quickly, such as the backfist/low block/reverse punch bunkai from the gekisai kata.
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Post by Aefibird on Mar 29, 2005 15:41:36 GMT
Would you say that you tend to use the bunkai told to you by your instructor etc. or do you look for your own applications? A bit of both. I use my instructors teachings because he's sensei and he'll beat me up if I don't. ;D Seriously, I like to use what Sensei has taught us, because he is the instructor. He has miles more experience that I do and he knows what he's talking about. Now, that doesn't mean that he's infallible, it's just that he tends to know what he's on about... i also like to try and think up my own applications because my instructor often says to us "go and think about ..." and we have to go away and consider applications etc for what he's shown us. We're not here to be spoon-fed and he always likes it if we think about techniques for ourselves, rather than just relying on him to show us all the time. |
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Post by Sasori Te on Mar 30, 2005 0:51:30 GMT
I use the instructor's bunkai as a jumping off point. After I completely examine where they are coming from I start analyzing the movements for something that feels more natural for me. I will then run it by the instructors to get their input on my interpretation.
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Post by Shotoman on Apr 15, 2005 23:07:54 GMT
In the ESA, we study application and bunkai a lot with regards to kata. What is more important is that we are made to be aware of the "what if's?" of such applications and so you are less worried about what this or that block or attack is for but more are appreciative of the effects on the human body. While this block may stop that punch, where is the other danger at that point. If you strike your opponent in aparticular area, what is the resulting action to follow? It's when you look outside of the obvious that kata starts to get interesting. Take the first two opening moves of Heian Shodan. Just these two moves have so many applications, you could easily spend a whole lesson covering just that, and we have - I assure you. A recent class covered the opening moves of Heian Sandan - the actual applications of the whole kata went over a number of weeks. To some that might sound boringly impossible but when you forget the silly ideas of double blocking against simultaneous attacks, and break those Sandan moves down into individual techniques, you are truly presented with some very advanced and dark shotokan. I love it!  |
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Post by AngelaG on Apr 16, 2005 13:13:55 GMT
Nice post Shotoman.  The problem with learning kata for grading is that one tends to concentrate purely on the aesthetics of the kata and completely misses any of the more indepth purposes evident once you spend a bit of time studying it. However some people do karate just to fight, which I'm sure is great for them, but I do prefer to actually study my art. This is something I feel that separates the karateka from the average thug on the street looking for a rumble. regards Angela |
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Post by Aefibird on Apr 16, 2005 13:36:00 GMT
It's when you look outside of the obvious that kata starts to get interesting. Take the first two opening moves of Heian Shodan. Just these two moves have so many applications, you could easily spend a whole lesson covering just that, and we have - I assure you. A recent class covered the opening moves of Heian Sandan - the actual applications of the whole kata went over a number of weeks. To some that might sound boringly impossible but when you forget the silly ideas of double blocking against simultaneous attacks, and break those Sandan moves down into individual techniques, you are truly presented with some very advanced and dark shotokan. Yes, there's a lot of stuff out there in kata that many karateka don't realise. We once spent most of a lesson looking at the various scenarios and applications present in Kihon kata (also known as Taikyoku Shodan). If you can get hours and hours of material out of a 'basic' and 'simple' kata like that, think of the possibilities with a kata such as Gojushiho Sho!  You gotta love it... I think that it can be a shame for people to miss out on all this 'good stuff' that's there in kata. I know that some people are more interested in the fighting side of karate but from kata comes kumite and looking really in-depth at a kata might pass on a few tips for fighting... ;D |
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Post by Sionnagh on Apr 16, 2005 14:33:40 GMT
from kata comes kumite and looking really in-depth at a kata might pass on a few tips for fighting... ;D Yes! Especially if you get rid of those silly exaggerated stances found in the Shotokan stereotype  But everyone has their own ideas and opinions and nobody ever agrees with anyone else so...  Mick |
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Post by Aefibird on Apr 17, 2005 11:36:54 GMT
Especially if you get rid of those silly exaggerated stances found in the Shotokan stereotype Exaggerated stances? I can't think what you mean... Next you'll be telling me that I shouldn't chamber my fist on my hip when I'm fighting...  (speaking of silly stances, check out Chinese Martial Arts sometime. As well as cool [and slightly silly] names for techniques like Playing the Lute, Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg, Tiger Returns to Mountain etc etc they have some of the wierdest stances ever. Gotta love it! ) |
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Post by Sionnagh on Apr 25, 2005 2:50:57 GMT
Next you'll be telling me that I shouldn't chamber my fist on my hip when I'm fighting... Well....  Yeah but I guess silly stances is ok if they have cool-sounding names? Mick |
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Post by Aefibird on Apr 25, 2005 17:06:50 GMT
Yeah but I guess silly stances is ok if they have cool-sounding names? Yes, because Martial Arts is all about being cool. |
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James Drake
Newbie
Whats the sound of one hand clapping?
Posts: 5
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Post by James Drake on May 4, 2005 15:48:59 GMT
umm thats a good question! i tend to use different bunkai from every sensei take for example if im with some one alot bigger than me i will use stuff that sensei sonja taught me etc.
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Post by searcher2 on May 5, 2005 19:01:50 GMT
James,
THis board is open worldwide, and lovely though she is, most of them don't know Sensei Sonja, or why it's significant that you'd use her bunkai against people bigger than you.
Dig deep for those explanations, dude.
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James Drake
Newbie
Whats the sound of one hand clapping?
Posts: 5
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Post by James Drake on May 5, 2005 19:42:38 GMT
oh ok sorry  i feel a bit silly now  |
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Post by AngelaG on May 5, 2005 20:15:55 GMT
oh ok sorry i feel a bit silly now Don't worry about it James - it gave me a giggle if nothing else ;D Angela |
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i feel a bit silly now 