The Kata of Ryusui-Ryu Martial Art Schools

What are Kata

Kata are the libraries or repositories of a Ryu’s (schools) knowledge base condensed into flowing sequences of techniques. They are not to be considered as complete choreographed sequences depicting a complete fight from beginning to end, fighting many people in different directions. They are more like a book of short stories with each sequence being a story that is designed to stand alone. Kata only contain the key principles of the school otherwise they would become to long and cumbersome to learn. Kata are the essence of a Ryu’s fighting system; they are encrypted information that allows them to be taught to anyone – But only the chosen few are ever given the password.

What is the purpose of Kata

The purpose of kata is to preserve the main principles of a Ryu’s fighting system in a form that is easily transmitted from person to person. They are designed to teach those principles via the application of selected techniques. At a basic level of understanding they are a method of training; a means to become skilled in effective technique. At a very advanced level they enable the practitioner to transcend the form reaching a state of Mushin (No mind), becoming moving zen.

What does Kata Teach the Student - At a physical/practical level kata teaches the student about:

□       Body movement, weight distribution and how to change direction.

□       Angles

□       How to turn

□       Balance and co-ordination

□       Spatial and mental awareness

□       Correct posture, timing and biomechanics

□       Power of relaxed movement

□       Correct timing and technique delivery

□       The ability to flow from one application or technique to another

□       How to calm the mind whilst in rapid motion

□       Reflex responses to attack In addition performance of the kata helps to develop a student’s strength and power along with muscle memory.

The 10 Elements of Kata.

1.  YOI-NO-KISIN - This is the spirit of preparation or getting ready. A preliminary step to the movements of the kata; where the will and mind are concentrated against your opponents. The preliminary step it is still very important and sets the scene for the activities that follow.

2.  INYO - One should always bear in mind both the attack and defence.  The active and passive

3.  CHIKARA-NO-KYOJAKU - The force of the power used whether weak or strong. This is the way in which the student uses strength in the kata; how much power is used for each movement and position. The power of a technique derives from the correct balance between strength and relaxation.

4.  WAZA-NO-KANKYU - The degree of speed used for each movement and position in the kata. The tempo applied to the techniques. The tempo of kata varies; some techniques are done slow while others are performed more quickly.

5.  TAI-NO-SHINSHUKU - The degree of expansion or contraction of the body that's used in each movement of the kata

6.  IKI NO CHOSEI - Breath control and how it is related to the persons movements and posture.

7.  TYAKUGAN The target areas or points.  One must bear in mind the purpose of each movement in the kata and correct interpretation will be reflected in Tyakugan.

8.  KIAI - Load shout at key points during the kata.  Kiai is a way of showing good spirit during the execution of a kata.

9.  KEITAI-NO-HOJI The correct positioning in the movement and stances.

10.  ZANSHIN - The ability to demonstrating complete awareness through out the kata especially at the start and end.  Being on guard.

Four Stages of Kata Training

Solo practice – This is the solo performance of your kata. Unfortunately most people never progress beyond this point

Bunkai - These are the partner application of kata. Moves are adjusted to suit the changing dynamic event experienced when training in a moving situation with another person. While practising bunkai you must bear in mind that kata was never designed for defence against another practitioner but against untrained attackers in a civilian situation. Thus the application of kata should be simple, close range and not dependant on an attacker performing certain actions in certain ways

Variation Training – This is the practice of kata techniques with as many variations as possible while maintaining the underlying principle of the form.

Live practice – This is the application of kata into live practice/kumitai. Live training and solo kata may look radically different but they are essentially exactly the same.

Please remember regardless of how many kata you may know, if your training in each of them is insufficient they will be useless. Too often we go for quantity not quality which is a potential weakness that we should all bear in mind. Kata are not the ultimate goal of training. They are a means of achieving that goal.

A Budoka should start his martial arts career with kata and when he ages he will end it with kata; this is why kata practice is so important.

Sensei Waters Founder Ryusui – Ryu Martial Art Schools