Talk:Kata (disambiguation)

There is a lot of interesting information here about kata in karate, but some references would be appreciated. For example, what source did you get that bit about "Japanese master, banished to a small island for his drunkenness"? Without reference, people can write just about anything -- even things that they make up.

Did a bit of clean-up and added more information. Deleted the bit about the Japanese master - I think it was both unnecessary and unsubstantiated. A legend, and not one I found entertaining or informative in any way. I think we'll all agree that you need to be neither Japanese or drunk to get an idea of training solo when alone...

See: Kata

4th spatial dimension
What is that stuff about the 4th spatial dimension? 'Kata' and 'ana' reminds me somewhat of Greek. Another meaning of kata is shoulder.MarSch 16:27, 17 Mar 2005 (UTC)
 * Indeed, it does seem to come from greek: --anon

Kata (In Korean: Tul, Poomsae or Hyung) are also considered to be the repositories of the system. An examination of the kata is considered to reveal strategy and ¨hidden techniques¨. Kata Jion is a strength based kata where the strategy is based on power in defense and attack. Kata Wansu is thought to be based on the movements of the swallow (many kata have an animal as an expression or symbol of the strategy), so the movements are dynamic, fast and explosive. Hidden techniques range from blocks and strikes that can apparently be decoded to reveal pressure point attacks that often use sequences to disable the opponent. Eg: Earle Montague (taiji stylist of the Yang School) claims that the opening movements of the Long Form represent a block and strike that is designed to stun the opponent by attacking (while blocking) the opponent´s wrist at a particular pressure point, and striking the opponent´s face at another point for a potential lethal strike. The Grasping Swallow´s Tail sequence in taiji is usually desribed as a series of blocks and releases from grabs, at another level of training it is described as wrist and elbow locks (with the potential to break bones) and at the highest level it is claimed by Earle to represent pressure point strikes that kill.

Chinese and Korean katas

 * "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."

What are the words for "kata" in Chinese and Korean martial arts? (or Chinese and Korean words which refer to a similar concept)

- Pioneer-12 11:38, 11 May 2005 (UTC)


 * In Korean: Tul or poomsae (see paragraph above). In Chinese I don't know, but in most cases the wushu/kung fu people say "forms". /Habj 05:41, 25 May 2005 (UTC)

Exised section.
Many martial arts schools present kata as merely a stepping stone to the next belt rank. Students dutifully learn the kata without ever learning what the various moves actually do, or worse, learning incorrect or absurd applications. This malpractice has resulted in legions of senior level martial artists who have no idea of the true value of kata. These sensei do a disservice to their students.

Kata can be thought of as a "database" of martial art technique. Every move in the kata shows the practicioner the proper angle and direction of strikes, joint manipulations, kicks, chokes, and throws. Just about any imaginable self-defence technique that actually works can be found in kata, if not in one system then certainly in another. For example, many Kempo self-defence techniques have their root in one or more of the Okinawan kata. All jujitsu joint manipulation techniques can be found in the Okinawan kata, as well as ways to defeat those same techniques.

Kata by itself is fairly useless when practiced without understanding. In order to make sense of what a particular move does, the student needs to be trained by someone who knows that the move is not just a "block", but rather a throw or strike. Not understanding the real applications of kata is why some styles persist in teaching such silliness as "X-blocks", or thinking that a forearm "block" will stop a roundhouse kick. In the styles that value kata, every move is a powerful and elegant technique that never meets force with force.

Many kata moves do look absurd when viewed without understanding the true meaning of the move. Most Japanese karate schools have created absurd explanations to match the absurd appearance. But the true meaning of the move is seldom anything like the contrived meaning, and ususally does something entirely different (not to mention brutally effective) from what it appears to be doing. Students will only learn this if taught by a knowledgable sensei. But once they understand the true application, performing the kata becomes something much richer than a vaguely silly means to advance to the next belt rank.

Please perfect to NPOV (remove words such as silliness) and re-add after building consenseus --Tznkai 00:08, 25 May 2005 (UTC)