Continuous Development

The JMA roundel symbolises the four sections of training (Kata, Kihon, Kumite and Bunkai) and the cyclical nature of them. We take the kata as the origin of karate fighting, practise the individual moves to maximise power, speed, accuracy, focus etc and then practise them in a controlled way with a partner to build distancing, timing, reflexes and then we blur the constraints of form and adapt what we already know into a realistic scenario (for advanced students) using threatening behaviour, agression, street-tactics to prepare the student for the shock and brutal nature of being attacked and the fight-or-flight response of the adrenaline dump in a controlled environment. The lessons learned in this training all feedback into the kata being practised as the student can now visualise the kata working and understand why techniques are done in certain ways and orders.

We firmly believe that to understand the kata and be able to use the techniques within it under pressure is to understand karate. The only way to be able to use the techniques properly is to train hard and get out of your comfort zones each lesson and condition your reflexes and reactions. Body conditioning is also important as hurting yourself whilst defending yourself is not an ideal outcome - we want to minimise the risk to ourselves whilst ending any confrontation as quickly as possible.

Kata

The source of Karate - Hundreds of years of fighting techniques catalogued and systemised for preservation, practise and promotion

Renketsu practises the traditional Shotokan 27 kata and has a few suplemental kata including Ten no kata, Kihonteki (Fundamentals), Nunchaku kata and Tonfa kata. The weapons kata are from a different line of Kobujutsu and are only practised as an addition to the Karate training for Karate students. Each grading from 10th kyu (white belt) to Shodan (1st Dan black belt) introduces one new kata for students to learn as follows:

• 9th Kyu - Kihon (Taikyoko Shodan)
• 8th Kyu - Heian Shodan
• 7th Kyu - Heian Nidan
• 6th Kyu - Heian Sandan
• 5th Kyu - Heian Yondan
• 4th Kyu - Heian Godan
• 3rd Kyu - Tekki Shodan
• 2nd Kyu - Bassai Dai
• 1st Kyu - Jion
• 1st Dan - Kanku Dai

We have seventeen advanced kata as follows (in no particular order): Jiin, Jutte, Hangetsu, Enpi, Nijushiho, Meikyo, Gankaku, Unsu, Gojushiho Sho, Gojushiho Dai, Wankan, Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Sochin, Chinte, Kanku Sho, Bassai Sho.

Ketsui trains in Ryukyu Kobujutsu which has a total of 42 kata - of which 22 are Bo kata. The system is designed to add in one extra weapon with each subsequent grading. More details of the kata and the ideals behind the system are available at the RKAGB Website, but the basics are as follows:

• 4th Kyu - Bo (Shuji No Kon Sho)
• 3rd Kyu - Bo (Shuji No Kon Dai) and Sai (Tsukenshitahaku No Sai)
• 2nd Kyu - Bo (Sakugawa No Kon Sho), Sai and Tonfa (Hamahiga No Tonfa)
• 1st Kyu - Bo (Sakugawa No Kon Dai), Sai, Tonfa and Nunchaku (Nunchaku No Sho)

Kihon

The practise of single or multiple techniques in isolation, using repetition and aiming for perfection of form with optimal power, speed, accuracy and intent

Both arts have kata at their core, which is split into sections for detailed practise - this is "kihon" or basics as it translates to in English. It is a poor translation as kihon practise does not have to be basic - it can be intricately complicated and contain dangerous techniques.

Almost every kihon technique contained in Shotokan Karate can be directly linked to one of the 27 Shotokan Kata. These techniques are done in set patterns for gradings to improve the use of hips, balance and distancing. Training is often done using focus mitts and kick pads to test the techniques with resistance as this is different to hitting thin air.

Kihon Bo techniques for Kobujutsu are called go-go-go (5-5-5) and cover the techniques from kata in three short patterns (5 stances, 5 blocks and 5 attacks). Further weapons have Tsukai kata which is a single pattern made from all of the kihon for that weapon.

Kumite

Use of Kihon techniques against a partner

This is one step away from bunkai as it is more structured with emphasis on form as well to generate power, distancing, timing and to introduce the students to interacting with a partner.

Karate kumite has different levels of difficulty starting with gohon (5-step) kumite which is designed to teach just distancing and works against continuous straight line attacks. The progression works through kihon (1-step) kumite up to jiyu ippon (semi-free 1-step) kumite which teach angles and more decisive solutions to the attack.

Kobujutsu kumite has a set corresponding to each grading and uses one weapons against another:

• 4th Kyu - Bo (ju kumite / 10 kumite)
• 3rd Kyu - Bo (ju-go kumite / 15 kumite) and Sai vs Bo(kyu kumite / 9 kumite)
• 2nd Kyu - Tonfa vs Bo (ju kumite / 10 kumite)
• 1st Kyu - Sai (Renzoku kumite / Continuous kumite) and Nunchaku (Ju-Ni Kumite / 12 Kumite)

Bunkai

The application of techniques from kata against a partner

Each kata has bunkai which can be used in a variety of ways - from the very basic level (kick, punch, block etc) to the advanced (restraining, breaking, choking etc). There are repeated techniques within some of the kata although the sequences are often different and therefore can show different ways of using the same techniques.

There are groups of kata in both systems (ie: Jion, Jitte and Jiin in Karate; Shuji kata in Kobujutsu) but only Kobujutsu has enbu bunkai which is bunkai of the group above and beyond the bunkai for each kata.

Bunkai is not part of either grading syllabus but is an essential part of training.

Kobujutsu Weapons

Beyond empty hand

We start off with the Bo, moving on to the Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku and Kama up to Shodan (black belt grading).