Bunkai-Jutsu The Practical Application of Karate Kata

239 Pages·2002·3.19 MB·English

by  Iain Abernethy

Bunkai-Jutsu:
The Practical Application
of Karate Kata
By
Iain Abernethy
Published by: NETH Publishing
In association with Summersdale Publishers Ltd
www.summersdale.com
Copyright © Iain Abernethy 2002
1st Edition
All rights reserved. The right of Iain Abernethy to be identified as the author of
this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act of 1988. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means,
nor translated into machine language, without the written permission of the
publisher.
Published by: NETH Publishing, PO Box 38, Cockermouth, CA13 0GS, UK.
In association with Summersdale Publishers Ltd, 46 West Street, Chichester,
PO19 1RP, UK. www.summersdale.com
Cover illustration and photographs by Peter Skillen Studio and Gallery, 30
Market Place, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9AS.
Typesetting and cover by My Word!, 138 Railway Terrace, Rugby,
Warwickshire, CV21 3HN.
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Bookcraft (Bath) Ltd, Midsomer Norton,
Somerset.
A CIP Catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 0–9538932–1–9
Important note: The author, publishers and distributors of this book do not
accept any responsibility for any prosecutions or proceedings brought or
instituted against any person or body as a result of the use or misuse of the
information or any techniques described in this book or any loss, injury or
damage caused thereby. Some of the techniques and training methods
described in this book require high levels of skill and physical fitness. The
techniques and methods described within this book must only be practised by
those in good health whilst under qualified supervision.
Acknowledgements
U
nless you’ve actually written a book, you’re unlikely to
appreciate just how much of a team effort goes into getting
a book into print. Certainly, it is the author who produces the
actual material, but if it weren’t for the help, support and
guidance of many other people that material would never
actually become a book. I’m very lucky to have such great
people around me. I am extremely grateful for all their work on
my behalf. If it weren’t for the people listed below, this book
would never have become an actuality.
I’d like to thank Doug James for all his teaching and guidance,
and for writing the foreword to this book. Geoff Thompson for
his support, kind words and inspiration. Peter Consterdine and
Dawn for their invaluable assistance and guidance. Roddie Grant
and all the team at My Word! for the excellent job they have
made in typesetting this book. Peter Skillen for his support,
taking the photographs and for producing the cover illustration.
The good people of Summersdale Publishers for all their help
and support. Paul Clifton and all at Combat and Traditional
Karate magazines. Tony Mottram for his help with the lighting
for the photographs. Martyn Goodfellow for his help with the
‘lifting and shifting’. Bob Sykes, Moira Spencer and all at Martial
Arts Illustrated. Murray Denwood, Rob Gate, Jim Hopkins, Fred
Moore, Peter Skillen, Gary Herbert and Craig Strickland for
posing for the photographs, their support of my endeavours and
above all their friendship. My parents and my wife for their
support, encouragement and for proof-reading this book and
ensuring that it is much more readable than it otherwise may
have been. Many thanks to everyone who hosted and attended
the seminars, all those who bought my previous material and
everyone who wrote to voice their support of my efforts; if it
weren’t for your assistance this book could never have been
produced.
Above all I’d like to thank my wife Helen for her love, her
belief in my work and for providing me with our much-loved
son David.
Warning
T
he methods described and demonstrated in this book are
extremely dangerous and must not be attempted by anyone
unless they are under expert tuition. Any persons attempting
any of the activities described in this book do so entirely at
their own risk. The information presented here is done so with
the sole intention of helping the reader to better understand the
theoretical application of the karate katas. All readers should be
aware of, and adhere to, all appropriate laws relating to self-
defence.
Contents
Foreword by Doug James 7th Dan 1
Introduction 3
Chapter 1 – A Brief History of Kata 5
Chapter 2 – Performing the Katas 15
Chapter 3 – The Rules of Bunkai 29
Chapter 4 – The Nature of Real Fights 49
Chapter 5 – The Magnitude of Kata 59
Chapter 6 – Atemi (striking) 79
Chapter 7 – Jintai Kyusho (vulnerable points) 105
Chapter 8 – Pre-Emptive Striking 121
Chapter 9 – Entrance and Exit Techniques 129
Chapter 10 – Tegumi (grappling) 139
Chapter 11 – Kansetsu-Waza (joint-locks) 161
Chapter 12 – Karate on the Ground (ne-waza) 183
Chapter 13 – The True Uses of ‘Blocks’ 193
Chapter 14 – The Purpose of Stances 203
Chapter 15 – Kata-Based Sparring 215
Chapter 16 – Conclusion 229
Bibliography/Recommended Further Reading 231
v

Foreword by
Doug James
7th Dan
O
ver the thirty-five years that I have been involved in
karate, there are very few students that, after a few classes
on the beginner’s course, stand out as having the potential to
be an exceptional karateka. Iain was certainly one of those
students when, at thirteen years of age, he started training in
my dojo, embarking on a journey that was to make a terrific
impact on his life.
He rapidly moved through the ranks, particularly excelling in
the area of kata. Iain’s interest in kata was to become a driving
force that inspired him to seek out its real meaning. Iain has
always been thirsty for knowledge; questions in the class,
training with other martial arts instructors and of course reading
(his ‘library’ is second to none). Iain’s desire to understand kata
has led to him becoming a successful author and an authority
on the fascinating area of karate practice known as ‘Bunkai’
(kata applications).
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. When a book or
article interests me, I find that I can’t put it down. I have to
read it at every opportunity until I finish it. Bunkai-Jutsu is one
such book. It is extremely interesting and thought provoking.
Iain has gone into great detail to analyse and explain every
aspect of the katas and their application in real combat.
Some topics covered in this book may be considered as
‘controversial’ by some, such as Iain’s challenge of the
commonly taught kata applications. Many people understand
the historical reasons and necessities for those applications, but
how many instructors have looked deeper? Whether you agree
or disagree with Iain’s approach to kata, this book certainly
makes a positive contribution to the discussion and expansion
of ideas surrounding the ‘hidden’ meaning of kata techniques.
Iain’s approach to kata bunkai will make many karate
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Bunkai-Jutsu
instructors re-examine how they apply kata techniques, it will
make their advanced classes more interesting and it will aid in
the exchange of ideas. All positive benefits to be gained from
reading this book.
An understanding of ‘how and why’ we perform and
approach kata is essential for a karateka to improve. I had little
interest in kata as a young brown-belt, only kumite. Kata was
just something you needed for gradings, or so I thought. On
attaining my first-dan – like many new black-belts – I asked
myself, “What is kata really all about? ” As I sought a deeper
understanding, I found kata practice to be more enjoyable,
exciting and my performance of kata just got better and better.
As a result of my experiences, I tell my students to ‘live’ the
kata as they perform it. Then, and only then, will they begin to
learn its lessons.
By adopting the approach Iain has detailed in this book, the
practice of realistic bunkai will make kata practice much more
interesting from both the instructor’s and student’s point of
view. This can only be of benefit to the art of karate as a
whole, and that is why this book has my endorsement.
I feel very proud of Iain’s achievements as an author, and that
his training within the Chojinkai organisation gave him the
foundation on which to build his ideals. His strength of
character and determination, together with his strong values,
loyalties, close family and friendships will ensure him more
success and guarantee him a bright future within the martial
arts.
I have no doubt that Iain will continue to strive for
knowledge, expanding and developing his ideas in all areas of
the martial arts. After both his first book Karate’s Grappling
Methods and now Bunkai-Jutsu, I am sure that there will be
many more books to come. I look forward to reading them all
with great interest.
Doug James 7th Dan
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Introduction
T
he term ‘Bunkai-Jutsu’ is taken to mean ‘the application of
the techniques and concepts of the katas in combat.’ The
word ‘bunkai’ literally means ‘analysis’. Hence, when people
talk about ‘kata bunkai’ they are referring to an analysis of the
kata. However, throughout the karate community ‘bunkai’ is the
common term used to describe the fighting techniques of the
kata. The term ‘Jutsu’ means ‘method’ and is used in reference
to the actual application of techniques in combat, eg ‘Kenjutsu’
– ‘The method of using the sword in combat.’ Hence ‘Bunkai-
Jutsu’ can be taken to mean ‘the application of the techniques
and concepts of the katas in combat.’ This book will essentially
cover two areas. The first area is the analysis of the katas so
that the reader can understand the combative techniques and
concepts upon which the katas are based. The second area is
the actual application of those techniques and concepts in real
combat. It is difficult to discuss both areas separately due to
their interdependence. Hence, I decided upon the title of
‘Bunkai-Jutsu’ for this book as the single term captures both
areas of discussion.
The practice of kata is common to the majority of karate
styles, and yet kata is without doubt the most misunderstood
area of karate practice. Many people practice the katas but
most, if they were honest, would be at a loss to tell you why.
In the vast majority of today’s karate dojos, katas are
begrudgingly learnt and practised simply to satisfy grading
requirements. When you study the writings of the past masters,
you cannot fail to be impressed by the importance they placed
upon kata. The founders of karate insisted that kata was the
most important part of the art. Today, the karate world is
predominately split into two camps. Those that believe kata is
an archaic waste of time that should be abandoned, and those
that stress the importance of kata, but when asked to justify that
importance often resort to simply stating, “It’s traditional.”
The purpose of this book is to help karateka, who wish to
practice karate as an effective and complete system of fighting,
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