tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045182.post8256514376028930386..comments2024-02-01T02:05:30.666-08:00Comments on Goju-Ryu Karate-do: Technique in kata and bunkaiGiles Hopkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00792620001178526712noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045182.post-16837935067568370792021-11-19T01:25:53.360-08:002021-11-19T01:25:53.360-08:00Just finished reading your blog and found it very ...Just finished reading your blog and found it very helpful and amazing please keep updating such blogs. You can visit our website at <a href="https://kansaikarate.com.au/" rel="nofollow">Karate Clubs Near Me For Children</a> to know more about martial arts. Smith Waughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09108187098823402129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045182.post-66167921120294347892013-02-11T12:52:23.810-08:002013-02-11T12:52:23.810-08:00Cris, I feel as though I may be in danger of being...Cris, I feel as though I may be in danger of being misunderstood. I would never say that techniques are not important for their own sake. I'm pretty adamant about sticking to kata when doing bunkai. But because we all move a little bit differently and we all have different body types, once a student knows the kata and the bunkai--and I stress "knows the bunkai"--then I don't over correct each little inch of their technique. For example, in the opening sequence of Seiunchin, if they know that they have grabbed the opponent's head/hair with their right hand and their left hand is attacking the throat/chin, then I don't correct whether the left open hand is pointing straight forward or across the chest to the right. But you're right, one of the subtleties of teaching should be to teach how to move the body and the generation of effective technique. And this is something that can't really be conveyed in words or blogs.Giles Hopkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00792620001178526712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045182.post-49474042110780518222013-02-11T10:28:00.822-08:002013-02-11T10:28:00.822-08:00It seems we can deduce that when speaking fundamen...It seems we can deduce that when speaking fundamentally and correcting technique, what is important is how the technique relates to the generation and transition of power and that techniques are not important for their own sake...?<br />This reminds me of something my father used to say: ( in his trademark accent ) when you begin, a punch is just a punch. Then one looks for the right technique and angles and how to throw one.... And in the end a punch is just a punch.Cristobal Alfredo Gidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01707128913993915206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045182.post-53227656981893438082013-02-11T07:32:59.315-08:002013-02-11T07:32:59.315-08:00Hi Cris, That's a complicated question. In a f...Hi Cris, That's a complicated question. In a few words, I think stiff and robotic movement because they tend to view kata as a performance rather than a record of bunkai. Watch any YouTube video of kata performance. Even blocking techniques are held for a second for the judges to admire. In reality, the counter attack would be immediate or even almost simultaneous with the block. That's what I mean when I say "no gaps." Giles Hopkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00792620001178526712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045182.post-18500250595749942672013-02-09T20:21:25.484-08:002013-02-09T20:21:25.484-08:00On Body movement and power generation... Why would...On Body movement and power generation... Why would you say there are so many schools that practice a stiff robot like karate? Is it possible that shallow training during the popularization of karate could be the culprit or is there something else you find might have influenced all of these styles and practitioners?Cristobal Alfredo Gidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01707128913993915206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045182.post-6840323443074410252013-02-01T16:11:36.446-08:002013-02-01T16:11:36.446-08:00Hi Cris, to me the purpose of training is to learn...Hi Cris, to me the purpose of training is to learn and practice bunkai. The purpose of kata is to learn how bunkai is done. Admittedly, some things need fairly clear and precise correction--like the angle of the arm in Sanchin, which is the same angle we see over and over again in Goju. But we correct to achieve this angle because of its effectiveness in bunkai. Kata without a knowledge of bunkai is just empty movement or dance or a performance art. More important is how the core of the body moves or how we generate power. So much to learn and so much to study. No wonder it takes years!Giles Hopkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00792620001178526712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045182.post-47755823785442732282013-02-01T05:39:30.918-08:002013-02-01T05:39:30.918-08:00Thank you Sensei, I like the part where you spotli...Thank you Sensei, I like the part where you spotlight the typical way of correcting students, I do this some times when i want to relay a idea of where the focus might be placed in a certain tech... I try to inspire the students imagination while they practice kata. My guess is that some teachers may have different goals and in the end the students end up carbon copies of the teacher regardless of their body type and ability.<br />CCristobal Alfredo Gidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01707128913993915206noreply@blogger.com