Okinawan Karate Kata - Mindless Meanderings on Kata Practice

Graphic borrowed from Advincula, A. J. Sensei's FB Wall. Click for larger Veiw.

I believe this is true to a point but I also believe one must not get mired down in what is right and what is wrong and by whose perceptions and the context of the present time vs. the times to which we attribute the birth of kata. 

Knowing the past is important. But knowing the present is also just as important. If nothing else knowing the origins will allow you to make those necessary changes (necessary, not just for changes sake) to ensure what you do for self-defense, defense or even combatives are relevant to this times self-defense, defense, and combatives. 

The world is not simply a repetitive one where nothing changes and advancements are not created. 

It is best to know the past and purpose of things so you have a foundation to create the new and relevant. Sometimes this is a very simple adjustment and sometimes it is a vast change. 

Kata is a symbol and metaphor but of fighting, combatives and defenses while those are driven by cultures, beliefs and perceptions as to the context of things so that makes them unique to the creator. Use this to achieve mastery of a system then make those changes necessary for our times and needs but remain diligent to the past while knowing the present.

Point in support, there are a variety of methods that are used in the practice of Isshinryu. You have the Harold Long interpretations, you have the Steve Armstrong interpretations, you have the Don Nagle interpretations and you have the Advincula interpretations. All these find karate-ka will say they learned their interpretation directly from Tatsuo Shimabuku sensei and I believe they did BUT there are differences. Oh, and don't forget the Harold Mitchum interpretations. 

All these fine karate-ka spent time and a lot of effort, sweat, and blood studying under Tatsuo-san. Yet, they teach it differently here to their dojo under their perceptions, context and cultural belief systems. Does this mean only one or maybe two or three are the only ones teaching it correctly or even right? No, they all feel strongly they learned the kata and all the other basics and fundamentals of Isshinryu the creator of the system and they are all correct as they teach it now. 

Remember, being right is not just being right. It is a matter of the time you trained, who you trained with and the culture, beliefs, perceptions of each person or individual as influenced by the time, the culture and ethnic groups, the power relationships, the perceiving person, the sensory input modes, the perceptions of perceptions as to truth and accurate facts, and both the internal and external environments and now we add perception of movement; perception of body language which includes facial expressions, etc. 

Also, as said by Suzanne Robertson of London, "people are influenced and constrained by their own knowledge, experience, imagination, and attitudes."

A point to be made for the past is delving into the cultural content of those symbols is one of the gateways to understanding Okinawans, Japanese and Chinese.

For me, the similarities of Isshinryu in lieu of the differences come from the dedication to the "essence" that is Isshinryu. This essence can be seen in all variations of the system. The similarities are far more important than the differences!

Addendum: I learned the system from my sensei. As I progressed I learned his system is based on the Nagle system. As time passed I discovered the variations and found one in particular to be an improvement, for me, on what I was practicing, training for, teaching and applying so I changed from my original way of practice. That other version is still a foundation of what I practice today but it is different. The changes are small but necessary for me. As to teaching, I would adhere to some of what I was originally taught but most would come from that which I changed to a few years back. That would not be what I practice today but a closer version to what was intended to maintain a connection to the system as it was intended from Tatsuo Shimabuku sensei. There is what you practice for yourself but what you teach to the new ones should be the originally foundation of basics and fundamentals with a grounding in fundamental principles of martial systems. The difference is to inspire your students to remain connected to the past but to reach for the present while thinking of the future - there is room for all three and all are necessary to reach beyond the moon toward the stars.

Bibliography:

Advincula, Arcenio J. Sensei. "Okinawa Karate Kata." Here

James, Charles E. "Comment and Share of FB page above." Here