What is Bunkai [分解]? - A Perspective Study

Caveat: This post is mine and mine alone. I the author of this blog assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this post. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding.)

Bet you the first thought that comes to mind it an explanation of a technique in regard to its possible applications in a fight or for self-defense, right? I am going to go a bit further in today’s post to answer the question, “What is bunkai?”

First, you have to have the characters/ideograms to adequately define this martial term. This is the one I use:

Bunkai [分解]: The characters/ideograms mean, “disassembly; dismantling; disaggregating; analysis; disintegrating; decomposing; degrading." The first character means, "part; minute of time; segment; share; degree; one's lot; duty; understand; know; rate; chances," the second character means, "unravel; notes; key; explanation; understanding; untie; undo; solve; answer; cancel; absolve; explain; minute." Bunkai means to analyze or disassemble, a term used to describe a process of breaking apart a form to explain the application toward fighting or in more modern times self-defense. It describes the meaning of a movement within the kata and basic techniques.

Second, this is the bare bones translation from one of many kanji translations found through Internet sources. Martial artists often assume, rightly so, that bunkai is pretty much about analyzing and dissembling kata, etc., to explain or demonstrate what one can do in relation to what one does to combatants. 

When I think of bunkai, I tend to think about a bit more than analysis of technique. Granted, this is a cornerstone of bunkai and martial arts but it is not the whole of bunkai. When I study things like concepts in martial arts for self-defense, when I study things like fundamental principles in martial arts for self-defense, and when I study the theories and philosophies then use that knowledge to disaggregate my study of martial arts especially toward self-defense I think, bunkai. 

When I study the history of the systems and then use those to analyze and segment and understand my martial arts practice and training I am using the bunkai of the system. Look at bunkai as another way to categorize concepts, principles and philosophies and so on under the heading of Martial Bunkai. It is NOT just explaining the techniques applications, it is explaining the applications that span the entire system of study, the discipline.

I have spent the last decade and more to discover the underlying meaning of my study of martial arts, specifically self-defense martial arts/karate. In order to find that underlying meaning, the systems bunkai, I have to research, disassemble, analyze, recompile, understand, solve, explain and teach and practice and train myself and others the system that is my martial arts (for self-defense).

Bunkai is not just an explanation of the techniques applications in the fight, it is about obtaining the martial bunkai that is the meaning of the system itself. It is the research, disassemble, analyze, recompile, understand, solve, explain and teach and practice and training of the theory, physiokinetics, techniques, and philosophy of the entire wholehearted system and it includes all the aspects of self-defense if that is included in your martial arts. 

Bunkai, not JUST about techniques anymore!

Primary Bibliography of Self-Defense:

MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.

Secondary Bibliography of Self-Defense:

Ayoob, Massad. “Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self-Defense”Gun Digest Books. Krouse Publications. Wisconsin. 2014.

Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.

Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014. 

Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012

Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.

Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995

Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Written Self-Defense" MJF Books. 1997.

Maffetone, Philip Dr. “The Maffetone Method: The Holistic, Low-stress, No-Pain Way to Exceptional Fitness.” McGraw Hill, New York. 2000

Strong, Sanford. “Strong on Defense_ Survival Rules to Protect you and your Family from Crime.” Pocket Books. New York. 1996.

and more … see blog bibliography.

My Blog Bibliography

Chiron: http://chirontraining.blogspot.com

Cornered Cat (Scratching Post): http://www.corneredcat.com/scratching-post/

Kodokan Boston: http://kodokanboston.org

Mario McKenna (Kowakan): http://www.kowakan.com

Mokuren Dojo: http://www.mokurendojo.com

McYoung’s Musings: http://macyoungsmusings.blogspot.com

Martial Views: http://www.martialviews.com

Shinseidokan Dojo: http://shinseidokandojo.blogspot.com

The Classi Budoka: https://classicbudoka.wordpress.com

Wim Demeere’s Blog: http://www.wimsblog.com

Studying Principles

When I continued the study of fundamental principles of martial systems toward self-defense martial arts I found, as I have found in my more academic studies of violence and conflict, that continued scrutiny of principles will awaken the practitioner to the flaws not only in their practices but actual flaws within the principles themselves. 

Each iteration through the materials, especially regarding the principles underlying SDMA (Self-defense Martial Arts) along with the physical analysis of said principles in action open our minds to the discovery of those flaws.

Granted, the flaws found to date are somewhat minor but can be significant if one trains to apply MA in self-defense. Using a very simplistic example is throughout the material the term “opponent” is used and that alone can guide the practitioner to a mind-set/mind-state that will not cover true conflict and violence, i.e., it tends to steer one toward the more competitive and sport oriented vs. self-defense where the term adversary, etc., remains non-specific because an adversary can be in competitor, in a social monkey dance and even in a asocial predatory resource/process situation. 

Some descriptions within the material on fundamental principles can inadvertently lead toward a less relevant application in self-defense so the practitioner must remain vigilant and diligent toward its meaning, i.e., the distinctions necessary to remain true to the proper applications in the proper situations and circumstances leading to the need for self-defense. 

I can make a decent assumption that study does, can and should involve continuous open-minded research and discovery as one progresses. It is a necessary aspect of the pursuit of self-defense martial arts if for no other reason than - survival!

As you study your martial arts take a step up in that process by embracing such an open minded mind-set/mind-state promoting the more appropriate and reality based concept of self-defense through martial disciplines. 

Thinking Differently

This is what I am about when I post these days, an attempt to get myself to think differently. I also hope that I can get others, those who just might read my stuff, to think differently. 

All to often I tend to get into a rut and think a certain way. After all, I had specific thoughts as to my martial arts. I was just plain lucky that it never had to be discovered in real-time that a lot of what I taught, was taught and trained was not exactly right. Not wrong but not exactly right either. I feel strongly that this applies a lot when it comes to self-defense.

Now, how can one train to think differently? Start off by seeking out others who think differently and will provide mind shifts to what you know, what you think you know and to introduce you to things you don’t know - that is what has been happening in recent years through the below bibliography. 

I wanted to make sure my martial arts and my concept, thoughts and idea’s on self-defense were more accurate. I discovered quickly that what I thought I knew, I didn’t know. If I am exposed to violence and am forced to take action at least I have a better chance over just applying some karate killer self-defense techniques and combinations that would have lead to legal and other ramifications to actually apply some kind of legal and justified force for self-defense. 

For me, today, the best part of my studies came to be the art of avoidance. Understanding the trials and tribulations of the self-defense world I am glad that I can, at least, recognize things that were never taught nor ever apparent when studying, practicing and training martial arts self-defense. 

It is about mind-set/mind-state and that means “thinking differently.” Not making assumptions without first validating in some form. Thinking differently then means “active listening, reading and viewing” with an open mind that will allow for change, for understanding and to allow flexibility in all I say, hear and do - with emphasis on doing. 

THINK DIFFERENTLY!

Winning, it is all about WINNING!

Caveat: This post is mine and mine alone. I the author of this blog assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this post.

Westerners think of goals in terms of winning. We are sport oriented and sport is deeply ingrained in our culture. Our culture is one of the youngest this world has today while other nations and peoples tend to have cultures that span not only generations but centuries. It seems that winning is the driving force of our emotionally charged personalities that some refer to as the “monkey.” 

I am a western and southern born person who knows from personal experience that winning is paramount in all the things we westernized humans do and say. We are exposed to the winning attitude from the moment we are conscious of the Sunday or Friday night football season (I am not picking on football, just using it since it is a very common symbol of sport, competition and winning.).

When we are in conflict we think, breath and desire a goal of “Winning” above any other considerations. The monkey in all of us thinks, breathes and believes that there is nothing more important than winning, even dying is less important to the monkey than winning. So much of what is written on conflict and violence today, at least in my sources, is about that aspect of the monkey dance. After all, it can be said that the most conflict and violence one might encounter in modern times, barring military service or service in the professions dealing with it, is the socially driven monkey mind conflict and violence. 

As I begin to enter my “winter years” I contemplate the importance of winning. I am at least considering what I define as a win especially when it comes to conflict and violence regardless of the type and the probability of my encountering it. I know, personally, that conflict and violence is a part of human existence and I know that a lot of it is termed something else and therefore more acceptable even when it still means being violent. 

I also feel, personally, that we immerse all of our human kind into a world that has two, ultimate goals, of winning and not losing. We make movies and television shows that are often unrealistic, because that is how we get drama into the story, and goal-oriented to the winning and losing model. Our sports are competitive and winning is everything. Even the belief system when raising boys vs. girls still consists of hard playing sport oriented winning is all world vs. a more compliant personality expected of the female of the species. You know the old adage, “Boys are made of snips and snails and puppy dog tails while girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice.” It still applies although not so much as in the past, girls are getting more aggressive and are just as dangerous in the fight. 

I am less worried bout whether I win or lose in such a competitive community but still, the monkey still tries hard to get me there and in smaller ways I am still about winning even tho the win or loss is more psychological in nature than in competitive sport ways. My martial arts is more about handling conflict and violence where my idea of a win is how I can avoid violence and get a mutual beneficial result that leaves me safe, alive and a good distance away from answering hard questions from the authorities. 

I can say that originally my idea of martial arts was a more aggressive and physically oriented win, i.e., beating my adversary so bad and into such a deep state of submission, where the degree of force was to take them out hard, fast and completely - all of it taking me so far out of the self-defense circle that I would not have justifiable reasons to apply those winning techniques. 

Winning to me, today, is about knowing the depths and breadth of what conflict and violence is and all the complex but necessary things it takes to know it, recognize it and then avoid it except in some rare, very rare if you do it right, cases where I hope allows me to act in a manner that is will within the circle and acceptable reasonable and prudent concerns of society and the legal professions. 

I still wonder that with human nature, instinctual survival nature of humans, if it is even possible to live without that urge to win and to be a winner. Is it because of the mind-set conditioning of modern society? Is it because we truly cannot exist without the winning mind? Can society exists without conflict and violence: all levels, all kinds, etc.? 

I can still imagine the thrill we all get when we win. It doesn’t matter whether we actually participate in the sport, it can be felt when our home team wins the national title. We manifest a winner and loser mind-state when we other those outside our tribe and assign them a loser status without even a competition. Can humans exist without the distinctions?

In the end, winning and losing is here and here to stay - for the foreseeable future. So, as martial artists who teach self-defense we have a duty to teach about winning and losing but of the type that allows us to think of a win in a way that fosters less actual physical violence and more mutual beneficial results, i.e., like running over fighting and so on. 

This brings up the subject that goes hand in hand with the winner/loser model, a perception of the mocho man like model. Maybe redefining what a win is …..

Now, you have to be asking yourself the question, “What is wrong with winning?” Actually, nothing - BUT - when it comes to conflict and violence a distinction must be made. It is made so that you can redirect your monkey’s desire to only win to a goal of winning that involves avoidance, development of distance and most of all, if it comes to it, staying within the self-defense circle. Winning in sports is good. There are a lot of things one learns through sports, competition and winning. Where it fails in my perspective is when winning becomes everything in all things rather than a sport oriented goal. Winning can be achieved for everyone as well by focusing on those things that you did well and change those things you did not well - that is a win as well and who knows, it might mean winning overall the next competition. 

We just don’t take the model of winning beyond the, “I win, you lose.” In that model, in some instances it is not enough or it is absolutely the wrong attitude to not lose in conflicts, especially with violence. Take the concept of “winning” beyond the obvious and make winning a concept that helps everyone win in those appropriate circumstances then go all out to win in sport oriented competitions. 

Going back to the basics, “make sure you win in violence and the adversary loses.” Now, how you accomplish that win is another matter, see below.

Primary Bibliography of Self-Defense:

MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.

Secondary Bibliography of Self-Defense:

Ayoob, Massad. “Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self-Defense”Gun Digest Books. Krouse Publications. Wisconsin. 2014.

Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.

Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014. 

Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012

Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.

Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995

Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Written Self-Defense" MJF Books. 1997.

Maffetone, Philip Dr. “The Maffetone Method: The Holistic, Low-stress, No-Pain Way to Exceptional Fitness.” McGraw Hill, New York. 2000

Strong, Sanford. “Strong on Defense_ Survival Rules to Protect you and your Family from Crime.” Pocket Books. New York. 1996.

and more … see blog bibliography.

My Blog Bibliography

Chiron: http://chirontraining.blogspot.com

Cornered Cat (Scratching Post): http://www.corneredcat.com/scratching-post/

Kodokan Boston: http://kodokanboston.org

Mario McKenna (Kowakan): http://www.kowakan.com

Mokuren Dojo: http://www.mokurendojo.com

McYoung’s Musings: http://macyoungsmusings.blogspot.com

Martial Views: http://www.martialviews.com

Shinseidokan Dojo: http://shinseidokandojo.blogspot.com

The Classi Budoka: https://classicbudoka.wordpress.com

Wim Demeere’s Blog: http://www.wimsblog.com

Martial Arts are like a Chain/Self-Defense is like a Chain

I am aware that everyone reading this is aware of the old adage, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” This is why I am using the “Chain” as a symbol of both martial arts and self-defense. Neither is as good as optimal unless every single one of the links that make up the chain that is MA and SD is solid, strong and unbreakable. 

The martial arts are built on the chain that is the fundamental principles of martial systems. The entire system has to be strong and unified in each link, i.e., theory, physiokinetics, theory and philosophy, along with how that is applied to the techniques, etc., one manifests when applying principles in a defense situation. 

Since martial arts can be one of those links in the self-defense chain it becomes doubly and critically important. Self-defense links are, “Conflict communications; Emotional Intelligence; Lines/square/circle of SD, Three brains (human, monkey, lizard), JAM/AOJ and five stages, Adrenal stress (stress induced reality based), Violence (Social and Asocial), Pre-Attack indicators, Weapons, Predator process and predator resource, Force levels, Repercussions (medical, legal, civil, personal), Go-NoGo, Win-Loss Ratio, etc.,” Any one of those links weakens and breaks then your self-defense fails and you fall out of the SD circle.

Violence is a Way of Life

Click for large view.

I believe this to be true. Everyone has stories of violence to tell. Even if you feel you don’t, you do. I remember when I first started to actually, consciously, study conflict and violence that I told myself I have never truly encountered violence. That was a false belief because since I started my studies, not martial arts but violence, conflict and self-defense, I have had to realize that I, like everyone else, have experienced violence. 

Just to clarify, when you get into an argument with someone you are committing violence. What got me to thinking about this is that I realized that I was classifying violence under a heading that was very, very restrictive. I was looking at one small part of the world of violence and conflict and judging my life on that narrow concept. 

I then realized that I was exposed to violence, like almost every male child older than ten years, first in the family environment. There was my father who clocked me good so that I was in a blacked out stage until I registered the world again in the bathtub with my mother cleaning my face with warm soapy water. Granted, I began that with a saltine cracker tin lid that I threw at my brother who, naturally, ducked and it hit the plate glass picture window at our home on John Anderson Drive in Ormond Beach (strange how some distant details return at this late time in life). 

As I continued my studies I realized that what some professionals professed is true, the violence is a huge part of human existence and we all have to deal with it at one level or another even if we tend to call it something else to make it more palatable, acceptable. Society does this a lot. 

Now a most interesting perspective I have developed on this is that in our efforts to push violence out of our minds and therefore, we think, out of our lives we fool ourselves in thinking we are not violent, we will not become violent and violence cannot happen to us - except when it does. Reality says that the better we know and understand conflict and violence the better we can avoid, deescalate and handle it appropriately when it rears its ugly, but human, head. 

In my personal life it actually made me see, understand and believe just how much violence I depended on to live life as I have lived it. My violence may not have manifested itself in the typical model most believe, i.e., by getting into physical conflicts, but I had to admit to myself that what I was doing was truly violent, unnecessary and hurtful to those who were on the receiving end. 

Another aspect beneficial in this new knowledge is that I found other ways to get things done and to live life with less conflict and violence. I found that because I took the time to learn about it, accept it as a human condition, and how I was doing it I was able to see and find alternatives to my tendency toward using conflict and violence to get things done and get what I wanted. 

Granted, it was still conflict and violence but a much lower level that is considered acceptable in social and business senses and a whole lot less antagonistical in nature. Example: In lieu of using a strong aggressive personality type to get what I wanted I still used a non-aggressive but persistent way to sell or convince the other person that my way was a good one and where they would readily agree and follow that way, or even better, the exchange while a bit confrontational (i.e. conflict and violent in nature) we would find middle ground acceptable to both of us and both accept and use that new way. 

You see, violence and conflict are a way of life. While most is hidden and labeled, i.e. “negotiations vs. aggressive arguments,” it was still a form of conflict/violence, just a very low and acceptable level/type. 

As an example, my type of violence with levels that fluctuated over the years continued outside the family circle with friends, i.e., I remember the knock down drag out fights in back yards, and with associates in work environments, i.e., Wayne (my drywall partner before the Marines) who took homage to my grabbing his cigarette by throwing his drywall hatchet at me but hitting a wood stud instead, “ to the three instances Marines took shots at killing me in the barracks up to the group of Marine students who jumped me out in the field.” 

So, yes I have been exposed to conflict and violence but so have every single one of you. All you have to do is let go of the preconceived notions as to what violence is and remember that it ain’t like the movies and books and it “can happen to you.” Knowledge is the best course and the earlier you learn about human nature the better you can self-analyze and achieve a better handle on life, internally and externally. 

Hiding from the truth leaves you vulnerable when conflict and violence hit. I can say emphatically that if I had this knowledge and these tools in my youth I would have handled things a whole lot different. 

What do I say about violence then is this, don’t be afraid of it and don’t put your head or your families head in the sand because it is hard, damaging and difficult, teach it, know it, and find other pathways - you will be a better human for it. 

It is ugly, dangerous and avoidable but not if you ignore it until you encounter it - that is just plain dumb.