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Along with Kihon or repetition of the basics, Kata is a fundamental training tool for learning Kobudo. The Kata trains the mind and the body to envision and react in certain sequences preserving the art of using the weapon and the body. Only through strict training of Kihon and Kata can one achieve any level of proficiency.
Below follow some general comments about Kata. A specific page will be created for each individual Kata preserved by our association in Phase II. For the interim time the Kata listing can be found in
Kata System and grading syllabus under
Grading System.
Key points to remember when training Kobudo Kata
- Use your centre of gravity or
"tanden" 丹田 as the base of all movement. Using the hips properly, transitioning from one stance to another cleanly and with discipline
creates the power required to execute a successful move.
- Keep the purpose or Bunkai 分解 of the movements in mind when performing the
Kata. This will not only help you perform the physical movements it will prepare your
fighting spirit, which also must be exercised.
- Kata should be learned from a
qualified teacher. Books or video cannot replace the role of the sensei in
learning Kata. It does not transfer the essence of the form, the feeling,
the building of the power and the relaxation in the transitions. Video can
help a student to remember a form they have learned and for that reason
some teachers have provided their students some video but this should not
and can not effectively replace the “on the spot” corrections and
answers to questions that the teacher must provide to help the student
learn properly.
Some notes on language used on this site
| 型 |
The Symbol on the left is the kanji used by most Okinawan Sensei. The Symbol on the right, which is also read Kata and has the same meaning, is used by most mainland Sensei in recent times. The character on the right is also used by Budo-ka such as Iaido Sensei to mean Kata or form. It is from this influence that the instructors from Honshu have recently changed the character used. All Kata are listed by their Japanese readings. On each Kata page we will also include the kanji and reading in the local Ryukyu Dialect or Hogan know as
Uchina Guchi. It is hoped that this will clear up some confusion about what Kata should be know by which name. |
形 |
| と |
The particle to
in Japanese basically means "and" in English. So Rochin to
Tinbé means Rochin and Tinbé Kata. It is pronounced the same way you
would say toe if you were speaking English with an American accent.
I am sorry but I have no help for the people from the UK. |
| の |
The particle no
shown on the left is a part of many of the names of the Kata. It
indicates possession or ownership. For example Mézato no Tekko
means Mézato Sensei's Tekko Kata |
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Romanization of the Japanese and Okinawan Dialects has been done using two
different methodologies. Emile has used accents and lines to indicate
long vowels, where Tim has use the convention of adding a "u" for the same
purpose. It would be time consuming to change all to one convention
and actually would loose some value in showing two accepted types of
Romanization. We hope this helps clear up any confusion about some of
the spelling of some of the names of the Sensei or Kata. |
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The words written
in Katakana are mostly Hougen know as Uchina Guchi, the Okinawan
mother tongue. It is hoped that this will clear up some
confusion about what Kata should be know by which name. |
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