- Bunkai
Nihongo|Bunkai|分解, literally meaning "analysis" or "disassembly", is a term used in
Japanese martial arts referring to the application of fighting techniques extracted from the moves of a "form" ("kata ").Bunkai is usually performed with a partner or a group of partners which execute predefined attacks, and the student performing the "kata" responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions, based on a part of the "kata". This allows the student in the middle to understand what the movements in "kata" are meant to accomplish. It may also illustrate how to improve technique by adjusting distances, time moves properly, and adapt a technique depending on the size of an opponent. Some "kata" have another layer of application that is taught using an "Oyo Bunkai".Fact|date=June 2007 Different practitioners will learn or discover alternative applications, but the bunkai, like the "kata", varies based on the style and the teacher.
A single "kata" may be broken into anywhere from a few to a few dozen applications, and the same sequence of "kata" moves may sometimes be interpreted in different ways resulting in several bunkai. Some martial arts require students to perform bunkai for promotion.
Bunkai can be obvious or elusive depending on the technique in question, the moves preceding and following it, and the individual practitioner. There are usually many stages of depth of comprehension of bunkai only reached through the passage of time. The terms "toridai" and "himitsu" are used to refer to techniques not readily seen to the casual observer and hidden techniques within "kata".Fact|date=June 2007 For example, in
Gōjū-ryū karate , two-man "kata" training is used to reinforce bunkai and correct technique.Fact|date=June 2007 If techniques in the "kata" are not performed correctly they will not be effective in two man training.Historical Contention
It has been claimed by Martial Arts historian, Nathan Johnson, that the few original antique kata found in Karate were actually intended for weapons combat or (in one example) for grappling, as opposed to ballistic strikes [The Great Karate Myth, 2006, Wykeham Press] .
References
* Roland Habersetzer, "Shotokan Kata", Éditions Amphora, October 1990, Paris, France. (ISBN 2-85180-210-0)
* Elmar T. Schmeisser, "Bunkai: Secrets of Karate Kata - The Tekki Series", 2001, [http://www.TamashiiPress.com/ Tamashii Press] .
* Iain Abernethy, "Bunkai-Jutsu - The Practical Application of Karate Kata" [http://www.iainabernethy.com/books/books_home.asp Iain's website]ee also
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Karate kata External links
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