Information AboutKata |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT KATA | |
| japanese martial arts terms | |
| aikido | |
| jujutsu | |
| karate | |
| judo | |
| katajapanese martial arts terms | |
| aikido | |
| jujutsu | |
| karate | |
| judo | |
| kata | |
| japanese martial arts terms | |
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Kata (型 or 形) (literally: "form") is a Japanese word describing detailed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater forms like Kabuki and schools of tea ceremony Chado , but are most commonly known for the presence in the martial arts. Kata are used by most traditional Japanese and Okinawa n Martial Arts , such as Aikido , Iaido , Jodo , Judo , Jiu-Jitsu , Kendo and Karate . Other arts such as Tae Kwon Do and T'ai Chi Ch'uan feature the same kind of training, but use the respective Korean and Chinese words instead. In Japanese martial arts practice, kata is often seen as an essential partner to Randori training with one complimenting the other. However, the actual type and frequency of kata versus randori training varies from art to art. In Iaido , solo kata using the Japanese sword ( Katana ) comprises almost all of the training. Whereas in Judo , kata training is de-emphasized and usually only prepared for Dan grading. Kenjutsu paired kata at the beginners level can appear to be stilted. At higher levels serious injury is prevented only by a high sensitivity of both participants to important concepts being taught and trained for. These include timing and distance, with the kata practiced at high speed. This adjustablitity of kata training is found in other Japanese arts with roles of attacker and defender often interchanging within the sequence. Many martial arts use kata for public demonstrations and in competitions, awarding points for such aspects of technique as style, balance, timing, and Verisimilitude (appearance of being real). KATA IN KARATE The most popular image associated with kata is that of a karate practitioner performing a series of punches and kicks in the air. The kata are executed as a specified series of approximately 20 to 70 moves, generally with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. There are close to 100 kata in all forms of karate. The number of moves in a kata may be referred to in the name of the kata, eg. Gojushiho, which means "54 steps." The number of moves may also have links with Buddhist spirituality. The number 108 is significant in Buddhism , and kata with 54, 36, or 27 moves (divisors of 108) are common. The practitioner is generally counselled to visualize the enemy attacks, and his or her responses, as actually occurring. In teaching the open handed kata, most styles of Karate start with a series of five basic kata named Pinan in some systems and Heian in others. By working through this series (in order: Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan (except in Wado Ryu Karate, where Shodan and Nidan are reversed)) the practitioner learns all the basic stances and techniques before moving on to more advanced kata. Traditionally, kata are taught in stages. Previously learned kata are returned to in order to show more advanced techniques or ways of doing things, as beginners do not have the same knowledge and experience that practioners further up the ranks have. It is not uncommon in some styles for students testing for Shodan (first rank black belt) to have to repeat every kata they have learned from the first belt, but at a "black belt" level, for example, with better technique, power, amongst others. This system is often used for the lower grades as well. The student will perform one new kata and one or two previous ones, to demonstrate how much they have progressed and how quickly they can learn new things. See also CRITICISM OF KATA TRAINING The effectiveness of kata as a training method is often debated in martial arts circles. The critics frequently make following claims:
The proponents often claim that:
The debate of "kata vs. sparring" is not a new one and is unlikely to be resolved soon. Nevertheless, the two methods may not be as far from each other as they may seem. Advanced students in traditional arts may diverge from the form and introduce variation while the modern martial artist might train a combination of punches in a kata-like fashion. It is important to bear in mind that in most arts, kata is just one aspect of the style's overall training regimen. "KATA" IN THE MARTIAL ARTS OF OTHER COUNTRIES In such as Taekwondo and Tangsudo (sometimes "Tang Soo Do"), the Korean word '' Hyong '' is usually employed, though in some cases other words are used, such as ITF 's use of the Korean word '' Tul '', WTF 's use of the Korean word Taeguk , or simply the English translations " Pattern " or "form." In , e.g., Vovinam Viet Vo Dao the Vietnamese word Quyen is used. |
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