In the past when learning ‘bunkai’ applications (self-defense techniques from kata), I've often caught myself thinking “that’s a little convoluted isn’t it... surely it wouldn’t work in a real life scenario…”. However, in training at the Honbu dojo I've since learnt not to be too hasty in tossing aside bunkai. Every technique from the kata really does have an effective application (or many as the case may be). It’s often just a matter of executing a technique correctly with appropriate timing, power and speed.Rather than being 'helpful' partners, in the Honbu dojo, applications are practiced more realistically – your partner won't move or be taken down easily and you want to make sure you're blocking properly because they really will hit you otherwise! When I first started training this way I was almost a little affronted by how uncooperative everyone seemed to be. Part of me felt like saying... "no.. but you're meant to move this way...". The irony of this is Bunkai are self-defense techniques and honestly, who's going to be less 'cooperative' than the person trying to attack you.
It’s funny how we often think we’re being nice when we make it easy for our partners to carry out their applications - aiming punches and kicks to the sides of the body and falling to the ground with ease. While all this might make our partners ‘look good’, in actual fact we’re preventing them from learning how to do the applications effectively. Instead, we’re teaching bad habits and helping them pattern in techniques that only work with other ‘helpful’ and ‘cooperative’ partners.
Such half-baked techniques would probably be quite dangerous if someone tried to use them for self-defense. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a difference between making it virtually impossible for your partner to deliver a technique (especially when you know what’s coming) and delivering strong, straight, realistic strikes with intent. In any case, if you find yourself doing applications in training, go ahead a really try and hit your partner. They'll get the message. And at the very least, they’ll probably try and hit you back, which is just what you need for some realistic bunkai training!
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In link from Goodin found your blog. From my 30+ years perspective, it is heartening to know that someone so young (as all of you seem in the dojo) still is embarking on that well-worn Goju path, and with Higaonna no less.
Keep up the blog, it will be very interesting to see where it leads.
May it prove fruitful.
Thanks for your comment. I met Higaonna Sensei when I visited Okinawa a couple of years ago. He was a very hospitable and nice person.
Hey guys,
Thanks for your warm comments. I do feel very lucky to be training with Sensei every day even when my body sometimes tries to tell me otherwise :)
I've always been a firm believer in training escalation. It can be helpful in the beginning when learning a technique to do so slowly, really paying attention to the minutiae of body position, technique, and angle. But, like you said, unless you progress toward more and more resistance the technique will never really be adequate when faced with an uncompromising opponent.
Nice post!
Thanks Ikigai,
I think you made a good point about learning techniques slowly to start with. After all, if you jump too quickly into 'full speed and power' you run the risk of compromising the techniques and patterning in bad habits. I suppose you do have to strike a balance and build up slowly. Thanks for your input.
Great post!
I am a firm believer in cooperation until you've gotten the the self-defense steps down. Then take it to a new level and add realism. Some people criticize the choreographed nature but there is method to the madness if it's taught correctly.
My old Taekwondo school had us play something called "the circle game". Each person took a turn in the circle while everyone else got to take turns attacking. Your job was to use Taekwondo techniques spontaneously. Let's just say that it was very eye-opening.
In Chin Na we have a similar drill. In line-on-line we form two lines. One side attacks and one side tries to defend using Chin Na. It's even more difficult than the circle game.
Unrelated: You moved to Japan to learn MA? Wow! Ah, you crazy youth! When you get to my age you'll look back on your decision with pride.
:-)
~BCP
@BSM: Sounds like you've got some good drills there. In the honbu dojo we often practice bunkai in a way that sounds similar to your 'circle game'. Opponents attack from each side one after the other, full speed and power. I think it's a really great way to pattern in the bunkai under duress as there's no time to stop and think about what to do next.
Hello from Finland!
I'm currently training Krav Maga (so very far when speaking in the martial art way), but the ideology in our training is exactly the same: if you don't actually try to hit your partner and go easy with joint locks, the other won't ever learn how to use them in self defence. I'm now going to read through this whole blog, I'm interested in Japan and karate (although I don't possess the mental strenght to train it that hard). So far nice stuff!