Wow thank you Sensei for this vid, I'm training right now when you upload this. This vedio really enlighten me again thank you sensei. I'm trying to discover my own way our making my path in KARATE. I'm seeking and want to learn all martial arts. OK now I need to continue my training
This how I train my students in karate, sensei ,more on the practical self defense rather than the sports I also combined it with my MMA and FMA for weapons...
ahah my sensei said in the past few months there has been a mass of enquiries from 30-40 year old guys about the club. I firmly believe that's down to Cobra Kai
Seisan, not the “original” form but rather the Shotokan interpretation known as Hangetsu, since Seisan seems to be the oldest kata and Shotokan a very modern style I think it would show a lot of the “wisper game effect” and maybe how some times we try to fit a square peg into a round hole. Thanks for your selflessnes and drive to share knowlege and experience
Seisan: the oldest one, the one with the most ackward stances (at least from modern Karate standpoint), and I have the feeling that once you pass it through bunkai, it's the most brutal one!
4 ปีที่แล้ว +29
Just started training karate literary one week ago. Don't know any katas yet, but big fan of the channel.
Kusanku kata ........I'm an Isshinryu karate practitioner and if we go into history and how Chinese were involved in the formation of kata ( a rivalry turned into friendship ) , we come to know that kata was fundamentally created to fight in low light , uneven ground and multiple attackers condition and it was also created to make the karateka more alert and aware during a fight ......so it's gonna be interesting to see the bunkai and those 'hidden' concepts
I love the fact that you are doing your homework everyday, I do the same, looking thru my old books and magazines from the 60's, 70's and 80's checking out applications of movement in the forms.
This video kind of reminded me of your "3 Levels of Bunkai" video you did about a year ago :) I would love to see an interpretation of Heian Sandan. I think this kata is especially interesting, as you have unusual stances like the heisoku dachi and those elbow techniques with the kiba dachi which don't seem so practical in a self defence situation. Also I'm learning this kata for my next belt and really want to get a better understanding of the kata. (Sorry for being so selfish 😅) P.S.: If you have time/are interested in this topic I would love to see a video on "Motivation in Karate". (Why people quit and when, how to overcome motivation holes, why people start Karate, how to keep yourself motivated...) Thank you for reading :)
When I started karate , I started with Shotokan, and one of the katas that I like was Bassai Dai, I really would love to see the application of this kata in bunkai.
Me: Gets a black belt in Shotokan Karate! Also Me: Still not satisfied because it's not Cobra Kai🤣🤣🤣! Strike First! Strike Hard! No mercy! And the Kata I wanted to see the bunkai for is Unsu kata!
Isn’t cobra kai tang soo do, or perhaps basically based on what chuck Norris developed? I’m super ignorant but didn’t pat Johnson do the work for the series? That would imply to me to some extent that the cobra kai style is based on the style of the person coordinating the fights
Im a bjj practitioner from Denmark and i've been watching some of your videos and i'm starting to grow some interest in karate. A few months ago I thought it was some non functional martial art that didn't work against other people on the streets... I now know that it's not to be messed with. All love from Denmark, Christian.
Love the hat! I learned some Hung Gar Chinese forms when young, long ago. I was taught the applications along with it. In American Kenpo you learn and practice individual self defense techniques for each belt level with Kata and basics. The same techniques in shortened and extended versions make up the Forms or Kata's. Sets deal with an individual basics subject. Finger Set, Elbow Set, Blocking set., Kicking Set, Stance Set..etc. Students understanding of the techs make the forms mean something. They are a means of maintaining the practiced self-defense techniques through the forms (Katas). Also learned Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu versions of Kata. Any bunkai of them is enjoyed! Thank you!
Honestly, now that I have gone through the comments.. Seisan almost deserves it's own series., so much history and technique in it.. I'm not sure a simple bunkai of it would do it justice. So I stand by my 2nd choice, Wansu, as I find it to be elegant, but also elusive in its meaning.
Actually, kata does teach you. It teaches the positions that your arms, legs, hands and feet have to be it, to execute the technique. It teaches the leg traps. It teaches Tenshin - body shifting, evasion, rooting yourself, and uprooting your attacker. The positions that kata place your arms and hands, are a clue that martial science is applied at that point. Most importantly, kata allows you to practice the applications at full speed and power - something you can not do with a dojo brother. Kata is the manual that contains all the information... the complete arsenal of applications for life protection.
Seisan...because as you've noted, it's one of the oldest kata on Okinawa and is shared by most of the Okinawan styles, in many different iterations...so I think it would appeal to a large number of your audience.
Very true. Same Problem with a lot of traditional matrial arts. From 12 to 22 years of age I trained Tai Chi Chuan yet hardly any applications were taught, nor was there hardly any sparing or pressure training, except for some pushing hands. Only outside my school and in books did I find answers. Great you explain these applications and make the art of karate vivid again. I also love the way you use etymology to deduce and demistify your art. Keep up the great work 🙏🏻
Hey Jesse, amazing video. I can't even imagine how much work and research you must put into each one and yet you are still doing it so we have it easier. Thank you for that. As for the kata I would suggest Tensho kata from goju ryu style.
When I was a teenager (very long time ago) I taught myself karate from Hidetaka Nishiyama's book. Then I read the Bruce Lee's Fighting Method books and through them I was persuaded that kata are useless. But watching Jesse's videos helped me understand what kata are really all about, and that they're far from useless. Thanks, Jesse!
Love your almost forensic level of dedication in tracing back Karate and the effective techniques that have ossified over time due to a variety of factors
こんにちは I just started about a month ago training in Shito-ryu Karate here Japan 🇯🇵. So glad to have found your channel. I only know Kihon Kata Ichi So that's my vote.
Sensei jesse. I have been looking more and thought about Enpi (Empi) means Flying Swallow I believe and thought this would be very good to see you teach us. Lee. Uk.
Thanks for emphasizing the importance of bunkai. I have peers who hold relevant positions in their schools who have told me very excited "I have learnt 12 new kata in the past 4 months. I'm going to be great at competition" and when I replied "12 kata, wow! you must be really living in the dojo to learn that many bunkai in that short time!". But the response was "I have not started learning the bunkai of a single one yet. I want them for competition". I felt sad. I started my own search for learning the complete art many years ago. A sensei with whom I used to talk about it guided me to a book called "Shotokan's secret" by Bruce Clayton. Clayton made a historical research (it started just as a search for a photograph of Matsumura sensei) into how the Chinese kempo became To-te (To-di) and from there Kara-te in Okinawa. The big point I want to make is that not all martial arts are created equal. When trying to identify appropriate applications of kata in other fighting styles, you have to take into account the origin of Karate as a method used by the army/police of the kingdom of Riw kiw (did I spell it right?) when they were forbidden to carry swords or daggers. One big difference the book points out for instance, with ju-jitsu is that if you are in a confrontation with pirates, robbers or other type of bands, if you apply a lock that will take 4 seconds for your opponent to surrender, it is enough time to receive 4 kicks in the face from his band mates. Matsumura was not allowed to carry a sword in Riw kiw, but he traveled to Japan and mastered kendo before returning to be the personal guard for the king, so he applied the concept of "one cut-one kill" to his version of to-te by making every single move directed to knock down/know out/injure/maim/kill an opponent because in a potential fight of a small guard against several opponents frequently they wouldn't have a chance to wait for surrender. In short, according to this book, to complete your art, try to stay away from those moves that will lock you in place to defeat your opponent. Throws, locks, etc. should be capable of breaking or maiming or in some other way getting rid of an opponent in a straight action so you can take care of the next attacker right away. (of course when practicing with a partner you can soften it and wait for your partner to tap out)
Teach.... I've learnt more teaching than I ever have actually training in a class, whether its changing the way I explain something or researching history to answer a students question teaching opens new doors
I totally understood the meaning of the kata after watching you and your brother creating the mma one. I did a little Shotokan and never once went over the actual application of the kata i learned. Thx for the vids
The huge overfed ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM in every one of these discussions is quite simply this: a lot of, if not most of, the old revered masters either didn't know what they were doing or purposely cheated their students.
Maybe not a cheat or ignorance, but perhaps the old master expected that every student would develop their own research and development just like they did, since those were very little groups, the same masters never tough about a massive worldwide spread of students. For example Kanryo Higaonna sensei from Naha said to Chojun Miyagi that he should visit China to improve his kwnoledge. English is not my native language but I hope this idea is clear.
Man there's so many good kata that could be talked about.... I've done shotokan for about 10 years so I might not say some a certain way, but here are mine: Enpi, Sochin, Kanku Dai, Gankaku, Bassai Dai, Gojushiho Dai/Sho, Nijushiho, Heian Godan, and any of the Tekki/Naihanchi katas. Sometimes when I geek out about bunkai, it gets a bit annoying, but it feels good to see you diving into this Jesse! I hope more people show appreciation for the grappling and striking in kata like you have!
I've been learning Anan dai for quite some time now, it would help me a lot to understand the movements and practicality if you break that one down. Thanks.
I hope I’m not too late!! Omg, I love what you do!!! It’s nice to know there are people out there that dive deep into karate and try to understand it as much as possible! So many times people think karate is boring or too dangerous and it’s hard for me to explain what karate is like because it would take so long and it’s hard to put into words what I know and what I’ve learned. In my dojo kata and bunkai go hand in hand. We learn the kata first then the bunkai and then we’re tested on both. We only learn 3 types of bunkai for each kata though when you’re a black belt you start learning the full bunkai. **It would be cool to see more bunkai for naihanchi sandan.** The kata is so powerful and intricate and the bunkai I’ve learned so far seems almost limited to what you could actually do in a real situation.
Sienchin/Seienchin/Seiunchin kata. Many styles has this and would be interresting for many students and instructors. And as another mentioned, with the Cobra Kai series rekindling the whole Karate Kid universe. 👍👊
Hi Sensei Jesse, I attended your seminar in Rio together with Sensei Vinício Antony, it was excellent! Since I was a beginner in Karate, I also questioned myself and my teachers about the functionality and applicability of kata movements and almost always came an explanation of a, say, mystical nature, kkk. And thanks to researchers and karate nerds like you, Vinício Antony, Patrick McCarthy, Iain Abernethy, we can recover the real sense of kata through logical and plausible bunkai in a real application of combat or self-defense. thank you very much, and I want to win this cap and walk with him here in Brazil, kkk hug, André
I think a series named "Jesse Does Kata" would be great. You could take the many katas you are proficient at and present them to those of us who would like to learn them properly. Many of us are far beyond our fighting days but would love to learn and practice katas for health and physical fitness. Keep the great videos coming. You have too much Karate knowledge to keep it to yourself. You are truly an ambassador of martial arts and are greatly appreciated by your fans,
I would like to see Bunkai of the first katas learned when you start practicing Karate, just like me I’m talking about Gekisai Dai Ichi. Those katas are usually “forgotten” as if they are so basic that is not worth even aplying Bunkai on them Thank you Sensei
Oh, I wouldn't discount Gekisai Dai Ichi and Dai Ni as not worth looking into Bunkai for. These are great kata and Bunkai is simple, yet effective. It is great you mentioned them!
Well my Best suggestion to make karate complete is to contact Katsuhiko Shinzato who is a student of one of mobtubu choki student pls do it in the future
I am pretty new to karate. My daughter started 2 years ago, and my hubby and I joined her a year ago. We don't know a lot of kata yet, but are currently working on Pinan Sandan and would love to see the bunkai of it. We are late starters at 51 and 57. :) But we are loving it.
As I said in a previous video I study Uechi Ryu. The first Kata we learn is called Sanchin. It is the basis of Uechi Ryu. I spent many years looking to perfect the kata and learn how to use it in any fight scenario. I would love to see how you break it down and if we came to similar or different conclusions.
一つ型三年(one kata three years). This recalled my memory what my father told me when I was a kid learning the Chinese martial arts. He said: 第一年俾人打；第二年行埋去俾人打。The meaning in English are: The first year (know nothing) is being beaten; the second year (thought knew a lot) that you would approach or step forward to others so being beaten.
How about Tekki sandan from shotokan?? Recently learned the kata and I have no idea of how to apply it. Love your videos Jesse. Greetings from Aruba🇦🇼🥋🥋🥋
Agree completely. I was taught that after you have learned the kata well enough to pass your next test, you're only getting started. You have to go back and study the bunkai, which admittedly, are not well documented, and we had no internet back then. Part of the discipline is for the student to figure out what applications the moves could be used for. Let's not forget that a part of the problem is the ranking and testing system, which encourages learning according to fixed standards, and those standards do not include innovation or creative technique. You don't even get a self-defense portion on the test until you get to black belt level. We were asked to defend against an attacker while seated. I recall that I tossed the chair in the attacker's way and retreated; discretion being the better part of valor. The only time we got to explore bunkai in class generally were during seminars or doing one-time sparring, in which the attack was determined but the defense was at defender's discretion. We could have used a lot more of that.
Naihanchi. It is said to be the only kata James Mitose knew but it doesn’t seem to have been passed down or practiced by William Chow or Ed Parker. It would be interesting for us that practice the various Americanized Kenpo arts to see what has been lost from our system. I hear it’s supposed to contain quite a few grappling and throwing moves, so elements of it may well have survived in some of our techniques. Seeing it laid bare would be helpful.
The Tekki kata are some of the most down to earth kata there is, usually left aside because they are not as flashy, you can even apply them to groundfighting...
Bunkai , is mostly left out in karate schools. It is the " in " fighting, jujitsu based part of karate that most advanced students leave karate for. Issynru has been very close to my heart for decades. But, without a teacher that has intriquite knowledge of each katas bunkai , only half of the true karate is learned. Without bunkai, karate is striking and blocking. With bunkai, karate is a complete and precise practice.
Greetings from Denmark. I would love to see bunkai for shishoshin. I'm a Goju Ryu student and I really enjoy this kata. But I totally agree with you - we should learn the pratical application before the kata, so we understand what we are doing and why. Starting with kata is just "monkey see monkey do", with no understanding as to why. I love your videos - great inspiration and teachings! Keep'em coming :-)
Wow Jesse .... 0ver 1,500 comments in a day! And counting ... Will you even get to read these, let alone pick a kata? You probably have one picked. I'm older, retired, but still practicing Goju-Ryu and lament that what has happened in Karate (and American religion) is exactly what you say. I've been searching exactly in what you comment on (which is how I stumbled on your great videos!!) In my art, a mid-range kata that many are exposed to in their level (green belt) would be wither Chin Ghoi which is short and simple, but a great technigue medley which would get a fight over quickly, or perhaps Geki Sei Ni (or Ichi) which the Japanese students in school were taught in WWII. That has a plethora of techniques that live up to its title - destroy .. Thanks for all your great videos, Jesse! GOD-Speed!
Brilliant. Kata explained!!! Kata I would like to see is the one Funakoshi wanted us to study once we have mastered the art. Taiyoki Shodan kata. So simple but yet incredible advanced.
My vote goes to either Tekki Nidan or Tekki Sandan, precisely because Otsuka called them "mostly useless." They are fun little katas and it would be AWESOME to get Jesse's take on them!
I think you should do something easy like Heian Nidan or even Taikyoku Shodan (or maybe Gekisai like you did with Icy Mike bc it reaches all karate practitioners and everyone who learned that kata in that video lol) so everyone can get something out of it first and then something more advanced like nipaipo which is one of your personal favorites from shitoryu so you can show how advanced one can be with the dedication that you put into your kata! Cheers mate
After nearly 10 years of not studying karate, I've forgotten most of the katas. However, I practiced Basai Dai so much that to this day I still remember all the movements and timings. It would be great if you could cover the bunkai so that I have some applications for the movements that have been ingrained in my mind.
Hi Jesse !!! naihanchi shodan bunkai, it is the first kata that i have learned , i practice shorin ryu and my sensei always say that the basics is the key for success
Jesse, like you I am a karate nerd too. It is my first martial art love. I took my first karate class in 1983 and tried several styles until I found the Sensei that would be my great teacher in 1989 in the style of Yoshukai. I now study Brazilian Jujitsu as well, but I never stopped karate. In my opinion there is only one kata that should be chosen: saisan! The original! Because if a karateka does saisan well, they will do karate well.
Hey Jesse, it's me again thanking you for spreading wisdom about Karate. This video in particular was very insightful, as were the last videos tou have been making. Your hard work is paying off! Anyway, let's dissect Nippaipo, it's a very interesting Kata and my Sensei has been digging into the Bunkai the last weeks. Best regards from Barcelona!
I really enjoy your videos, Jesse! I hold 1st dan black belt in Butoku Kai karate, and brown belt in judo, both earned when I was young. I have practiced Hung Gar Chuan, Chang Chuan, and Ba Ji Chuan kung fu, and Chen and Guan Bing Tai Chi Chuan since 1980, forsaking the Japanese arts for the Chinese arts since that time. I agree that application of the hniques suffered in karate. When I began training we had 3 belts, white, brown and black. There was heavy emphasis in developing hard hands and feet. Kicks were rarely delivered above waist level. Running barefoot on gravel and striking makawara boards were routine training. Kumite without any padding whatsoever was the norm, even with weapons like bo or tonfa. Later in the late 60s point sparring was introduced for tournaments, and many techniques were banned. Later still, padding was introduced which greatly affected what techniques were effective... this is why I ultimately migrated to Kung Fu. Chinese schools were beginning to accept Caucasians in the late 70s and I was fortunate to find some very good teachers in my home town of San Francisco. Now I am an older man in my mid 60s but I still practice Tai Chi Chuan and some select Kung Fu forms. Even with 20 years of Karate and Judo, and 40 years with Kung Fu, I find new insights to the forms. I was fortunate to have excellent teachers to guide me through the practical applications. I see this lacking in most martial art training these days. My karate sensei was very traditional, a perfectionist, and pretty mean, too. I was often struck with his bo for failing to execute a form to his satisfaction. Conversely, my kung fu masters were patient and had a genuine interest in helping me to develop into a good practitioner. I thrived under such tutelage. You strike me as someone who has the same sort of teaching style. Thank you for your videos! I especially enjoyed your visit to China. Hung Gar Chuan has the famous Fu Hok Chuan form ( Tiger and Crane form) which is a Southern style very much like White Crane. The form is very complex, and features a lot of dynamic tension, similar to Goju Ryu karate kata. You should check it out! Over the years, my preference for Chang Chuan became evident. It is the style from which modern Wushu derives. I am too old for much of it now, but I still remember the joy I felt when I mastered my first form. It was like flying, and so powerful! The Long Fist styles of Northern China, of which Chang Chuan is one, remain my favorites. The gate changes and powerful high kicks are a hallmark of this style. Take care! I'd love to "talk story" with you, as we say here in Hawai'i!
Thak you Mr Jesse ,it really makes sense. I im a first gup in tang soo do ,and I really never learn the bunkie for all my forms ,and this is the reason .
I would like to see you do Seisan. I'm only a year into karate. I started because my son was taking karate. The Sensei told me he needed to practice at home. So, I started to help my son.
Isshinryu Kata Sanchin, it is a common Kata in many forms of Karate. It is a slow, breathing, tension, even mythological technique that involves rib grabs with the fingers and breaking them. Often used as a strength Kata with wood being broken on parts of the body, punches and kicks being absorbed by the body, blocks being tested, endurance of form being tested I would love to see this Kata used in real time attacks specifically because unlike all other forms it is done in slow motion with pauses and when in a full contact confrontation the pauses in this Kata are simply mysterious. I am Sensei Stanton and I approve this message.
To understand the Bunkai of many forms use what I call, Fluidity of Motion, meaning forget the pauses, the loud Kias, continue moving through out the Kata from beginning to end and it can help its understanding since many Katas are remembered motions from victorious fights from real time opponents Seisan is supposed to be defense against 13 attackers, get 13 people to attack from 4 directions while understanding that 80% of it is encounter and finish moves with the 20% left being engage, counter amd and finish moves. Just saying.
You should do a contest about people showing any kata of choice, no matter how simple or how complex to win one of the seishin items. A belt, a karate nerd shirt even a Gi if possible :) I'd love to get one of those bags but they've been sold out for so long. So why not make an episode about different ways to enter, like explaining the bunkai after performing the kata or anything like that for bonus points (or even more bonus points if you do it with a partner).In the eposides you could show examples of how people train kata/bunkai with and without partner to help the juices of inspiration follow. It might also be a good motivation for beginners to practise more and from early on trying to understand their katat's by applying bunkai to them.
One of the most interesting katas I was taught when it comes to the bunkai was Pinan nidan, learned it very early in but students were still studying it well into their black belt training. We were always taught each move set in a kata has at least 5 real world techniques in it
I can understand why a lot of people are asking for the bunkai to Seisan. While it is the oldest and most widely used, it is reasonably straightforward. I'd like to see your interpretation of the bunkai for Chinto. During performance of this kata, there are many techniques which seem both challenging and difficult to envision without an uke present. -Chris Peterson, Order of Isshinryu, Yon-kyu
This is a great video. Its worth noting that there's also a Confuscian element to kata. Since Confuscian cultures place so much emphasis on "fillial piety" (loyalty to one's master), it's natural that teachers will test a student's loyalty with years of hard training and forms before handing over the inner content. (And some masters have had students run off and set up their own show, or even try to take over a school, without authorization). Someone once described kata as the Christmas tree without the ornaments.
I think it would be wonderful to see practical bunkai for any of the basic Katas like Taikioku Shodan, Nidan ir Sandan... I feel you will reach a lot more people by explaining these simple katas everyone learns immediately. I also teach Muay Thai, and I must say because there aren’t too many complicated moves, students on day one will learn the basic leg kick and jab, criss. Allowing for the students to feel like they understand what they are learning and how it’s used. I feel the same way for Karate.
My vote is for Seisan. It can be applied to almost every style. It is foundational, but also has a bit more spice than Fukyugata/Taikyoku/Kihon no Kata.
Wow am impressed thank you sensei for doing so much for us karatekas you are truly a karate warrior my respect to you sensei Jessei please continue with you journey and bring out the true meaning of karate
Brutal Jesse, applying the roots to modern karate will make understand the people how powerful is it. Osu! A great kata to show could be of the heians, the beginning.
Hello professor Kamp. I would say the Naihanchi kata, which was the favourite kata of Master Funakoshi. This for four reasons. The first reason is that it is a very ancient form coming from Naha-te, so that it is supposed to be an authentic form about joint locks (tuite jitsu), strikes on weak points (sappô), and weapons. The second reason is that this kata looks, in its present form, completely useless. No moves in it looks like a real self defense techniques, and all moves it shows are completely impractical in sport karate (kumite), so that a real bunkai of Naihanchi will be astonishing for most moderne karata practicionners. The third reason is that this kata exists in a lot of styles, with changes and variations (Tekki in Shotokan, Naifanchi in Shito-Ryu for instance). A real bunkai would show how modern karate styles all come from the old Tô-de. Finally, the fourth reason is that the kata is very simple to practice alone. Instead of showing an ancient form - although precious and prestigious - such as Happoren (the origin of Okinawan Sanchin), breaking down Naihanchi would make clear the true nature of karate. All best, sensei and thank you.
Who’s gonna win the cap? 🧢
Lonelinesses is what I feel when there is no new Jesse enkemp karate vid
Wow thank you Sensei for this vid, I'm training right now when you upload this. This vedio really enlighten me again thank you sensei. I'm trying to discover my own way our making my path in KARATE. I'm seeking and want to learn all martial arts. OK now I need to continue my training
This how I train my students in karate, sensei ,more on the practical self defense rather than the sports I also combined it with my MMA and FMA for weapons...
Sensei, would you show bunkai from Uechi-ryu kata "Seisan?" Thank you and regards from your fans in Indonesia
Hi from Ukraine! Could you please show bunkai for Shisochin?
I'm learning it by myself for the last six months.
Now that Cobra Kai has brought us back all that Karate Kid nostalgia, I believe it could be enlightening to show the bunkai of Seienchin kata.
Just finished season 2, excellent choice!
ahah my sensei said in the past few months there has been a mass of enquiries from 30-40 year old guys about the club. I firmly believe that's down to Cobra Kai
Wasn't a variant of Seienchin the Kata Daniel used in the finals of Karate Kid 3?
@@danielhaire6677 Indeed
Tekki Shodan (Naihanchi)
Such a simple Kata, yet it has so many applications!
Heian-Shodan. One of the most basic, but with a lot to learn, even to every Black Belt!
Great CHOICE 🙌
I agree
absolutely right 👌👌
Seisan, not the “original” form but rather the Shotokan interpretation known as Hangetsu, since Seisan seems to be the oldest kata and Shotokan a very modern style I think it would show a lot of the “wisper game effect” and maybe how some times we try to fit a square peg into a round hole. Thanks for your selflessnes and drive to share knowlege and experience
Naihanchin, since I heard it was a large part of Motobu Choki's teaching. I would love to learn what that great fighter had to teach.
give this man a hat
Seisan: the oldest one, the one with the most ackward stances (at least from modern Karate standpoint), and I have the feeling that once you pass it through bunkai, it's the most brutal one!
Just started training karate literary one week ago. Don't know any katas yet, but big fan of the channel.
Keep it up.
Welcome, brother!
Welcome to the fold! OSU!
Welcome. You got this!
I'm guessing Kyokushin! Enjoy
Kusanku kata ........I'm an Isshinryu karate practitioner and if we go into history and how Chinese were involved in the formation of kata ( a rivalry turned into friendship ) , we come to know that kata was fundamentally created to fight in low light , uneven ground and multiple attackers condition and it was also created to make the karateka more alert and aware during a fight ......so it's gonna be interesting to see the bunkai and those 'hidden' concepts
I love the fact that you are doing your homework everyday, I do the same, looking thru my old books and magazines from the 60's, 70's and 80's checking out applications of movement in the forms.
This video kind of reminded me of your "3 Levels of Bunkai" video you did about a year ago :)
I would love to see an interpretation of Heian Sandan. I think this kata is especially interesting, as you have unusual stances like the heisoku dachi and those elbow techniques with the kiba dachi which don't seem so practical in a self defence situation.
Also I'm learning this kata for my next belt and really want to get a better understanding of the kata.
(Sorry for being so selfish 😅)
P.S.: If you have time/are interested in this topic I would love to see a video on "Motivation in Karate".
(Why people quit and when, how to overcome motivation holes, why people start Karate, how to keep yourself motivated...)
Thank you for reading :)
Sesan would be interesting, cause it’s nearly in every Karate style.
I've always wanted to know the bunkai behind Sanchin kata!
When I started karate , I started with Shotokan, and one of the katas that I like was Bassai Dai, I really would love to see the application of this kata in bunkai.
Me: Gets a black belt in Shotokan Karate!
Also Me: Still not satisfied because it's not Cobra Kai🤣🤣🤣! Strike First! Strike Hard! No mercy! And the Kata I wanted to see the bunkai for is Unsu kata!
I was going to go with that one as well. Oh, well, another one from the catalogue, then...
Isn’t cobra kai tang soo do, or perhaps basically based on what chuck Norris developed? I’m super ignorant but didn’t pat Johnson do the work for the series? That would imply to me to some extent that the cobra kai style is based on the style of the person coordinating the fights
@@DysmasTheGoodThief Oh really thanks for the information!
@@gbormann71 Their are many more awesome katas like Goju Shiho-Sho!
@@yairshuster3054 yeah
Im a bjj practitioner from Denmark and i've been watching some of your videos and i'm starting to grow some interest in karate. A few months ago I thought it was some non functional martial art that didn't work against other people on the streets... I now know that it's not to be messed with. All love from Denmark, Christian.
Maybe this should have been titled 'How To Make Your Karate COOL Again'. ;-)
My journey with karate is immeasurably enhanced by your insights into it’s original structures, concepts and evolution. Thank you.
3:00 The whisper game. Great analogy for what happens with all traditions. Great video Jesse!
Love the hat! I learned some Hung Gar Chinese forms when young, long ago. I was taught the applications along with it. In American Kenpo you learn and practice individual self defense techniques for each belt level with Kata and basics. The same techniques in shortened and extended versions make up the Forms or Kata's. Sets deal with an individual basics subject. Finger Set, Elbow Set, Blocking set., Kicking Set, Stance Set..etc. Students understanding of the techs make the forms mean something. They are a means of maintaining the practiced self-defense techniques through the forms (Katas). Also learned Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu versions of Kata. Any bunkai of them is enjoyed! Thank you!
Bassai Dai. I’ve never seen a realistic explanation of the three bicep thumps.
You read my mind!
Agreed. To this day I don’t know the reason for those.
They are arm hooks/traps. Message me for further details.
Basai Dai 👍
Bicep bashes? I learned A Matsumura Seito version of Passai.
Any of the Heian kata’s. Since most people would know them, meaning that more people will learn from it.
Yes, but you missed the five point palm exploding heart technique.
Honestly, now that I have gone through the comments.. Seisan almost deserves it's own series., so much history and technique in it.. I'm not sure a simple bunkai of it would do it justice. So I stand by my 2nd choice, Wansu, as I find it to be elegant, but also elusive in its meaning.
Chinte
Without understanding of what lies beneath, we are walking blind through each movement...
Old school Karate.. The best one. I always had a feeling that there was something more behind kata
The "whisper game" was in full play when I studied Shotokan in the 1980's. Learned lots of kata, but not how to use them.
Actually, kata does teach you. It teaches the positions that your arms, legs, hands and feet have to be it, to execute the technique. It teaches the leg traps. It teaches Tenshin - body shifting, evasion, rooting yourself, and uprooting your attacker. The positions that kata place your arms and hands, are a clue that martial science is applied at that point. Most importantly, kata allows you to practice the applications at full speed and power - something you can not do with a dojo brother. Kata is the manual that contains all the information... the complete arsenal of applications for life protection.
And for that and other reasons there are other martial arts that far surpass karate, it's time to put the cards aside and focus on reality.
Seisan...because as you've noted, it's one of the oldest kata on Okinawa and is shared by most of the Okinawan styles, in many different iterations...so I think it would appeal to a large number of your audience.
I’d pick Naihanchi “trekki”. Many styles practice it and with only subtle differences.
It's trekki, alright, very trekki.
Auto correct - 1, Me - O 😂
Do suparinpei, big kata, i want to give you a lot of work
Very true. Same Problem with a lot of traditional matrial arts. From 12 to 22 years of age I trained Tai Chi Chuan yet hardly any applications were taught, nor was there hardly any sparing or pressure training, except for some pushing hands. Only outside my school and in books did I find answers.
Great you explain these applications and make the art of karate vivid again. I also love the way you use etymology to deduce and demistify your art.
Keep up the great work 🙏🏻
Hey Jesse, amazing video. I can't even imagine how much work and research you must put into each one and yet you are still doing it so we have it easier. Thank you for that. As for the kata I would suggest Tensho kata from goju ryu style.
I just learned Tensho at my last class
When I was a teenager (very long time ago) I taught myself karate from Hidetaka Nishiyama's book. Then I read the Bruce Lee's Fighting Method books and through them I was persuaded that kata are useless. But watching Jesse's videos helped me understand what kata are really all about, and that they're far from useless. Thanks, Jesse!
Heian Nidan would be great, I feel there are a lot of different interpretations of this Kata
Thank you for all your video :)
Love your almost forensic level of dedication in tracing back Karate and the effective techniques that have ossified over time due to a variety of factors
Heian godan - why not to start with something on students' level yet interesting?
My club does something similar with goju Ryu. Gotta demonstrate bunkai for the kata you demonstrate
Not saying that they don't have interesting applications, but Pinan kata are made as a tool to get you ready for already watered down katas
Search for Russian tie and Ippon Seoi nage.
that's my pick too. reaches all levels and so complex between styles even in just shotokan alone.
I think he already did a video on some bunkai from the pinan series already. Would be cool to see more applications of moves in it though
こんにちは
I just started about a month ago training in Shito-ryu Karate here Japan 🇯🇵. So glad to have found your channel.
I only know Kihon Kata Ichi
So that's my vote.
Sensei jesse. I have been looking more and thought about Enpi (Empi) means Flying Swallow I believe and thought this would be very good to see you teach us.
Lee. Uk.
Thanks for emphasizing the importance of bunkai. I have peers who hold relevant positions in their schools who have told me very excited "I have learnt 12 new kata in the past 4 months. I'm going to be great at competition" and when I replied "12 kata, wow! you must be really living in the dojo to learn that many bunkai in that short time!". But the response was "I have not started learning the bunkai of a single one yet. I want them for competition". I felt sad.
I started my own search for learning the complete art many years ago. A sensei with whom I used to talk about it guided me to a book called "Shotokan's secret" by Bruce Clayton. Clayton made a historical research (it started just as a search for a photograph of Matsumura sensei) into how the Chinese kempo became To-te (To-di) and from there Kara-te in Okinawa.
The big point I want to make is that not all martial arts are created equal. When trying to identify appropriate applications of kata in other fighting styles, you have to take into account the origin of Karate as a method used by the army/police of the kingdom of Riw kiw (did I spell it right?) when they were forbidden to carry swords or daggers. One big difference the book points out for instance, with ju-jitsu is that if you are in a confrontation with pirates, robbers or other type of bands, if you apply a lock that will take 4 seconds for your opponent to surrender, it is enough time to receive 4 kicks in the face from his band mates. Matsumura was not allowed to carry a sword in Riw kiw, but he traveled to Japan and mastered kendo before returning to be the personal guard for the king, so he applied the concept of "one cut-one kill" to his version of to-te by making every single move directed to knock down/know out/injure/maim/kill an opponent because in a potential fight of a small guard against several opponents frequently they wouldn't have a chance to wait for surrender.
In short, according to this book, to complete your art, try to stay away from those moves that will lock you in place to defeat your opponent. Throws, locks, etc. should be capable of breaking or maiming or in some other way getting rid of an opponent in a straight action so you can take care of the next attacker right away. (of course when practicing with a partner you can soften it and wait for your partner to tap out)
Teach.... I've learnt more teaching than I ever have actually training in a class, whether its changing the way I explain something or researching history to answer a students question teaching opens new doors
Kata choice Sochin
I totally understood the meaning of the kata after watching you and your brother creating the mma one. I did a little Shotokan and never once went over the actual application of the kata i learned. Thx for the vids
The huge overfed ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM in every one of these discussions is quite simply this: a lot of, if not most of, the old revered masters either didn't know what they were doing or purposely cheated their students.
Maybe not a cheat or ignorance, but perhaps the old master expected that every student would develop their own research and development just like they did, since those were very little groups, the same masters never tough about a massive worldwide spread of students.
For example Kanryo Higaonna sensei from Naha said to Chojun Miyagi that he should visit China to improve his kwnoledge.
English is not my native language but I hope this idea is clear.
Man there's so many good kata that could be talked about.... I've done shotokan for about 10 years so I might not say some a certain way, but here are mine:
Enpi, Sochin, Kanku Dai, Gankaku, Bassai Dai, Gojushiho Dai/Sho, Nijushiho, Heian Godan, and any of the Tekki/Naihanchi katas.
Sometimes when I geek out about bunkai, it gets a bit annoying, but it feels good to see you diving into this Jesse! I hope more people show appreciation for the grappling and striking in kata like you have!
I've been learning Anan dai for quite some time now, it would help me a lot to understand the movements and practicality if you break that one down. Thanks.
I hope I’m not too late!!
Omg, I love what you do!!! It’s nice to know there are people out there that dive deep into karate and try to understand it as much as possible! So many times people think karate is boring or too dangerous and it’s hard for me to explain what karate is like because it would take so long and it’s hard to put into words what I know and what I’ve learned.
In my dojo kata and bunkai go hand in hand. We learn the kata first then the bunkai and then we’re tested on both. We only learn 3 types of bunkai for each kata though when you’re a black belt you start learning the full bunkai.
**It would be cool to see more bunkai for naihanchi sandan.** The kata is so powerful and intricate and the bunkai I’ve learned so far seems almost limited to what you could actually do in a real situation.
Sienchin/Seienchin/Seiunchin kata. Many styles has this and would be interresting for many students and instructors. And as another mentioned, with the Cobra Kai series rekindling the whole Karate Kid universe. 👍👊
Hi Sensei Jesse, I attended your seminar in Rio together with Sensei Vinício Antony, it was excellent! Since I was a beginner in Karate, I also questioned myself and my teachers about the functionality and applicability of kata movements and almost always came an explanation of a, say, mystical nature, kkk. And thanks to researchers and karate nerds like you, Vinício Antony, Patrick McCarthy, Iain Abernethy, we can recover the real sense of kata through logical and plausible bunkai in a real application of combat or self-defense. thank you very much, and I want to win this cap and walk with him here in Brazil, kkk hug, André
A kata that I Will like to ser a bunkai os naihanchi Shodan, Shorin Ryu School
Heian nidan
To understand the difficult ,we must understand the easy first
I think a series named "Jesse Does Kata" would be great. You could take the many katas you are proficient at and present them to those of us who would like to learn them properly. Many of us are far beyond our fighting days but would love to learn and practice katas for health and physical fitness. Keep the great videos coming. You have too much Karate knowledge to keep it to yourself. You are truly an ambassador of martial arts and are greatly appreciated by your fans,
Heian/Pinan Nidan, why not start at the beginning as that is where we all lay our foundation.
My vote is Naihanchi, since so many different dojos, even non-karate schools, practice that form. Keep up the good work!
I would like to see Bunkai of the first katas learned when you start practicing Karate, just like me
I’m talking about Gekisai Dai Ichi. Those katas are usually “forgotten” as if they are so basic that is not worth even aplying Bunkai on them
Thank you Sensei
Oh, I wouldn't discount Gekisai Dai Ichi and Dai Ni as not worth looking into Bunkai for. These are great kata and Bunkai is simple, yet effective. It is great you mentioned them!
@@The-Travel-Man Amen to that
Well my Best suggestion to make karate complete is to contact Katsuhiko Shinzato who is a student of one of mobtubu choki student pls do it in the future
The favorite kata i should like broken down is Wansu.
I am pretty new to karate. My daughter started 2 years ago, and my hubby and I joined her a year ago. We don't know a lot of kata yet, but are currently working on Pinan Sandan and would love to see the bunkai of it. We are late starters at 51 and 57. :) But we are loving it.
Bassai Sho - it has so many weird movements and it would be interesting to know their practical application
As I said in a previous video I study Uechi Ryu. The first Kata we learn is called Sanchin. It is the basis of Uechi Ryu. I spent many years looking to perfect the kata and learn how to use it in any fight scenario. I would love to see how you break it down and if we came to similar or different conclusions.
Great video. Not here for the giveaway, just wanted to say that I'd love to see the karate version of a pile driver :)
Near the end of Kanku (aka Kushanku?) Dai...
almost like the storming fortress :p
I practice all kind of martial arts, ten years ago my first Martial arts is karate it's great to know all about karate from you👍
Let’s start at the beginning: Taikyoku Shodan.
You are correct, it's a good idea 💡 👍
Hiean Godan .... this is the kata im learning now im trying to understand the bunkai. i think this is one of the best katas iv learnt.
一つ型三年(one kata three years). This recalled my memory what my father told me when I was a kid learning the Chinese martial arts. He said: 第一年俾人打；第二年行埋去俾人打。The meaning in English are: The first year (know nothing) is being beaten; the second year (thought knew a lot) that you would approach or step forward to others so being beaten.
How about Tekki sandan from shotokan?? Recently learned the kata and I have no idea of how to apply it. Love your videos Jesse. Greetings from Aruba🇦🇼🥋🥋🥋
Agree completely. I was taught that after you have learned the kata well enough to pass your next test, you're only getting started. You have to go back and study the bunkai, which admittedly, are not well documented, and we had no internet back then. Part of the discipline is for the student to figure out what applications the moves could be used for. Let's not forget that a part of the problem is the ranking and testing system, which encourages learning according to fixed standards, and those standards do not include innovation or creative technique. You don't even get a self-defense portion on the test until you get to black belt level. We were asked to defend against an attacker while seated. I recall that I tossed the chair in the attacker's way and retreated; discretion being the better part of valor. The only time we got to explore bunkai in class generally were during seminars or doing one-time sparring, in which the attack was determined but the defense was at defender's discretion. We could have used a lot more of that.
Great job sensei on how you highlighted how one can train karate without getting bored, congratulations
Naihanchi. It is said to be the only kata James Mitose knew but it doesn’t seem to have been passed down or practiced by William Chow or Ed Parker. It would be interesting for us that practice the various Americanized Kenpo arts to see what has been lost from our system. I hear it’s supposed to contain quite a few grappling and throwing moves, so elements of it may well have survived in some of our techniques. Seeing it laid bare would be helpful.
The Tekki kata are some of the most down to earth kata there is, usually left aside because they are not as flashy, you can even apply them to groundfighting...
Bunkai , is mostly left out in karate schools. It is the " in " fighting, jujitsu based part of karate that most advanced students leave karate for. Issynru has been very close to my heart for decades. But, without a teacher that has intriquite knowledge of each katas bunkai , only half of the true karate is learned. Without bunkai, karate is striking and blocking. With bunkai, karate is a complete and precise practice.
Greetings from Denmark. I would love to see bunkai for shishoshin. I'm a Goju Ryu student and I really enjoy this kata. But I totally agree with you - we should learn the pratical application before the kata, so we understand what we are doing and why. Starting with kata is just "monkey see monkey do", with no understanding as to why. I love your videos - great inspiration and teachings! Keep'em coming :-)
Wow Jesse .... 0ver 1,500 comments in a day! And counting ... Will you even get to read these, let alone pick a kata? You probably have one picked.
I'm older, retired, but still practicing Goju-Ryu and lament that what has happened in Karate (and American religion) is exactly what you say. I've been searching exactly in what you comment on (which is how I stumbled on your great videos!!)
In my art, a mid-range kata that many are exposed to in their level (green belt) would be wither Chin Ghoi which is short and simple, but a great technigue medley which would get a fight over quickly, or perhaps Geki Sei Ni (or Ichi) which the Japanese students in school were taught in WWII. That has a plethora of techniques that live up to its title - destroy ..
Thanks for all your great videos, Jesse! GOD-Speed!
Brilliant. Kata explained!!!
Kata I would like to see is the one Funakoshi wanted us to study once we have mastered the art.
Taiyoki Shodan kata. So simple but yet incredible advanced.
Wonderful. Finally someone who thinks about kata the way I do. Believe him. He is right.
My vote goes to either Tekki Nidan or Tekki Sandan, precisely because Otsuka called them "mostly useless." They are fun little katas and it would be AWESOME to get Jesse's take on them!
I think you should do something easy like Heian Nidan or even Taikyoku Shodan (or maybe Gekisai like you did with Icy Mike bc it reaches all karate practitioners and everyone who learned that kata in that video lol) so everyone can get something out of it first and then something more advanced like nipaipo which is one of your personal favorites from shitoryu so you can show how advanced one can be with the dedication that you put into your kata! Cheers mate
After nearly 10 years of not studying karate, I've forgotten most of the katas. However, I practiced Basai Dai so much that to this day I still remember all the movements and timings. It would be great if you could cover the bunkai so that I have some applications for the movements that have been ingrained in my mind.
Thank you for expanding my view and inspiring me to continue my journey up the mountain
Hi Jesse !!! naihanchi shodan bunkai, it is the first kata that i have learned , i practice shorin ryu and my sensei always say that the basics is the key for success
Jesse, like you I am a karate nerd too. It is my first martial art love. I took my first karate class in 1983 and tried several styles until I found the Sensei that would be my great teacher in 1989 in the style of Yoshukai. I now study Brazilian Jujitsu as well, but I never stopped karate. In my opinion there is only one kata that should be chosen: saisan! The original! Because if a karateka does saisan well, they will do karate well.
Seiyunchin, early enough kata so many know it or of it, still advanced enough to have many applications. Arigatō gozaimasu!
Great video, I think that is very difficult to visualize an application for Tensho and Sanchin.
Hey Jesse, it's me again thanking you for spreading wisdom about Karate. This video in particular was very insightful, as were the last videos tou have been making. Your hard work is paying off!
Anyway, let's dissect Nippaipo, it's a very interesting Kata and my Sensei has been digging into the Bunkai the last weeks.
Best regards from Barcelona!
I really enjoy your videos, Jesse! I hold 1st dan black belt in Butoku Kai karate, and brown belt in judo, both earned when I was young. I have practiced Hung Gar Chuan, Chang Chuan, and Ba Ji Chuan kung fu, and Chen and Guan Bing Tai Chi Chuan since 1980, forsaking the Japanese arts for the Chinese arts since that time. I agree that application of the hniques suffered in karate. When I began training we had 3 belts, white, brown and black. There was heavy emphasis in developing hard hands and feet. Kicks were rarely delivered above waist level. Running barefoot on gravel and striking makawara boards were routine training. Kumite without any padding whatsoever was the norm, even with weapons like bo or tonfa. Later in the late 60s point sparring was introduced for tournaments, and many techniques were banned. Later still, padding was introduced which greatly affected what techniques were effective... this is why I ultimately migrated to Kung Fu. Chinese schools were beginning to accept Caucasians in the late 70s and I was fortunate to find some very good teachers in my home town of San Francisco. Now I am an older man in my mid 60s but I still practice Tai Chi Chuan and some select Kung Fu forms. Even with 20 years of Karate and Judo, and 40 years with Kung Fu, I find new insights to the forms. I was fortunate to have excellent teachers to guide me through the practical applications. I see this lacking in most martial art training these days. My karate sensei was very traditional, a perfectionist, and pretty mean, too. I was often struck with his bo for failing to execute a form to his satisfaction. Conversely, my kung fu masters were patient and had a genuine interest in helping me to develop into a good practitioner. I thrived under such tutelage. You strike me as someone who has the same sort of teaching style. Thank you for your videos! I especially enjoyed your visit to China. Hung Gar Chuan has the famous Fu Hok Chuan form ( Tiger and Crane form) which is a Southern style very much like White Crane. The form is very complex, and features a lot of dynamic tension, similar to Goju Ryu karate kata. You should check it out! Over the years, my preference for Chang Chuan became evident. It is the style from which modern Wushu derives. I am too old for much of it now, but I still remember the joy I felt when I mastered my first form. It was like flying, and so powerful! The Long Fist styles of Northern China, of which Chang Chuan is one, remain my favorites. The gate changes and powerful high kicks are a hallmark of this style. Take care! I'd love to "talk story" with you, as we say here in Hawai'i!
Seisan. It's one of my favorites, and I always figured it's one of the best base kata for how to learn bunkai, and dynamic motion.
How to make Karate complete again? Keep watching this channel! Thank you so much for these videos, the old masters would be proud of you Jesse
Thak you Mr Jesse ,it really makes sense. I im a first gup in tang soo do ,and I really never learn the bunkie for all my forms ,and this is the reason .
I would like to see you do Seisan. I'm only a year into karate. I started because my son was taking karate. The Sensei told me he needed to practice at home. So, I started to help my son.
Isshinryu Kata Sanchin, it is a common Kata in many forms of Karate. It is a slow, breathing, tension, even mythological technique that involves rib grabs with the fingers and breaking them. Often used as a strength Kata with wood being broken on parts of the body, punches and kicks being absorbed by the body, blocks being tested, endurance of form being tested
I would love to see this Kata used in real time attacks specifically because unlike all other forms it is done in slow motion with pauses and when in a full contact confrontation the pauses in this Kata are simply mysterious.
I am Sensei Stanton and I approve this message.
To understand the Bunkai of many forms use what I call, Fluidity of Motion, meaning forget the pauses, the loud Kias, continue moving through out the Kata from beginning to end and it can help its understanding since many Katas are remembered motions from victorious fights from real time opponents
Seisan is supposed to be defense against 13 attackers, get 13 people to attack from 4 directions while understanding that 80% of it is encounter and finish moves with the 20% left being engage, counter amd and finish moves. Just saying.
You should do a contest about people showing any kata of choice, no matter how simple or how complex to win one of the seishin items. A belt, a karate nerd shirt even a Gi if possible :) I'd love to get one of those bags but they've been sold out for so long. So why not make an episode about different ways to enter, like explaining the bunkai after performing the kata or anything like that for bonus points (or even more bonus points if you do it with a partner).In the eposides you could show examples of how people train kata/bunkai with and without partner to help the juices of inspiration follow. It might also be a good motivation for beginners to practise more and from early on trying to understand their katat's by applying bunkai to them.
One of the most interesting katas I was taught when it comes to the bunkai was Pinan nidan, learned it very early in but students were still studying it well into their black belt training. We were always taught each move set in a kata has at least 5 real world techniques in it
I can understand why a lot of people are asking for the bunkai to Seisan. While it is the oldest and most widely used, it is reasonably straightforward. I'd like to see your interpretation of the bunkai for Chinto. During performance of this kata, there are many techniques which seem both challenging and difficult to envision without an uke present.
-Chris Peterson, Order of Isshinryu, Yon-kyu
Gojushiho sho is one kata that i love and be interested in seing your bunkai. Merci
This is a great video. Its worth noting that there's also a Confuscian element to kata. Since Confuscian cultures place so much emphasis on "fillial piety" (loyalty to one's master), it's natural that teachers will test a student's loyalty with years of hard training and forms before handing over the inner content. (And some masters have had students run off and set up their own show, or even try to take over a school, without authorization).
Someone once described kata as the Christmas tree without the ornaments.
Great comment at the end!
I think it would be wonderful to see practical bunkai for any of the basic Katas like Taikioku Shodan, Nidan ir Sandan... I feel you will reach a lot more people by explaining these simple katas everyone learns immediately.
I also teach Muay Thai, and I must say because there aren’t too many complicated moves, students on day one will learn the basic leg kick and jab, criss. Allowing for the students to feel like they understand what they are learning and how it’s used.
I feel the same way for Karate.
My vote is for Seisan. It can be applied to almost every style. It is foundational, but also has a bit more spice than Fukyugata/Taikyoku/Kihon no Kata.
Wow am impressed thank you sensei for doing so much for us karatekas you are truly a karate warrior my respect to you sensei Jessei please continue with you journey and bring out the true meaning of karate
Brutal Jesse, applying the roots to modern karate will make understand the people how powerful is it. Osu!
A great kata to show could be of the heians, the beginning.
That montage at the end was brilliant! Thank you.
Hello professor Kamp.
I would say the Naihanchi kata, which was the favourite kata of Master Funakoshi. This for four reasons. The first reason is that it is a very ancient form coming from Naha-te, so that it is supposed to be an authentic form about joint locks (tuite jitsu), strikes on weak points (sappô), and weapons. The second reason is that this kata looks, in its present form, completely useless. No moves in it looks like a real self defense techniques, and all moves it shows are completely impractical in sport karate (kumite), so that a real bunkai of Naihanchi will be astonishing for most moderne karata practicionners. The third reason is that this kata exists in a lot of styles, with changes and variations (Tekki in Shotokan, Naifanchi in Shito-Ryu for instance). A real bunkai would show how modern karate styles all come from the old Tô-de. Finally, the fourth reason is that the kata is very simple to practice alone. Instead of showing an ancient form - although precious and prestigious - such as Happoren (the origin of Okinawan Sanchin), breaking down Naihanchi would make clear the true nature of karate.
All best, sensei and thank you.
Thank's a lot sensei Jesse. Original form of bunkai in traditional karate is good.