Kata Bunkai

by Helmut Kogel

Overview

This book is aimed at both the experienced Karate student and those just starting up in finding their way through the theoretical and historical background of Karate and in the practice of the so-called "secret techniques".

In reading the book it becomes easy to see Karate's relationship to other Asian Martial Arts systems. Its content includes Basic Techniques, Tuite (Lever) Techniques, Chin Na-Techniques (Hold and Control), Nage Waza (Throws), Shime Waza (Strangling Techniques) and Kyusho (weak points) Techniques. In this book we have tried to analyze Tuite and Kyusho Techniques from a modern anatomical point of view and to this aim have put together a new type of graphic illustration. At its hub is the Karate Kata, which contains all of the techniques mentioned above and which is invaluable for daily training once the various levels of the Bunkai (application) have been understood. The depth of these levels of understanding is layered according to the Omote (obvious interpretation) for the beginner and the Chuden Techniques (middle level) for the more advanced. The hidden, or secret, techniques open themselves up to the higher Master levels, which are described as Okuden.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781841262895
Publisher:	Meyer & Meyer Sport
Publication date:	03/28/2010
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	9.48(w) x 6.68(h) x 0.58(d)

About the Author

Helmut Kogel learned a modern system of Karate fighting combinations from a western point of view when he started training. He later became interested in Shotokan Karate and became a student of A Nagai, W. Vovcak and P. Burger, and H.D. Rauscher.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Acknowledgements 8

Preface: What is the Essence of Karate? (Tetsuhiro Hokama) 9

A General Part 12

1 The Historical Development of Okinawan Karate 13

2 Understanding the Kata 23

3 The Three Levels of Karate Techniques: Omote, Chuden and Okuden 29

4 A Selection of Okinawan Masters 34

5 Fifty Years of Okinawan Karate (Tetsuhiro Hokama) 50

6 Karate as Seen by Today's Okinawan Grand Masters 55

7 Cultural Differences in How the Human Body is Viewed 64

8 The Importance of Acupuncture in Karate 67

9 The Role of Bubishi 80

B Special Part 88

1 Coded Kata Techniques in Karate - Cracking the Code 88

1.1 Ready Position (Yoi) 89

1.2 Etiquette, The Bow (Re) 94

1.3 The Opening Movement (Iriguchi Waza) 98

1.3.1 In Jion, Jiin, Jitte 99

1.3.2 Starting Movement in Bassai Dai 101

1.3.3 Starting Movement of the Kata Enpi 104

1.3.4 Starting Movement of Kanku Dai 106

1.4 The Closing Movement (Degushi Waza) 110

1.5 Basic Techniques from Another Point of View 113

1.5.1 Withdrawal of the Fist to the Hips (Hikite) 114

1.5.2 Fist to Fist 116

1.5.3 Utilizing the Turning Movement 119

1.5.4 Chudan Attack Becomes Jodan 121

1.5.5 The Particularities of Shuto Uke 122

1.5.6 The Preparatory Hand in a Block 122

1.5.7 Turning the Front and Rear Fist 124

1.5.8 Each and Every Block is an Attack 127

1.5.9 Kousa Dachi 136

1.5.10 How Mae Geri Became Yoko Geri 137

1.6 Multiple Meanings of One Technique and Ground Work (Ne Waza) 138

1.7 Levers (Tuite, Kansetsu Waza) 146

1.8 Escape Techniques (Gedatsuho) 178

1.9 Sensitive Points (Jintai Kyusho) 204

1.10 Throws (Nage Waza), Foot Sweeps (Ashi Waza), Reaps (Gari Waza) 230

1.11 Lock and Choke (Shime Waza) 236

2 Principles in the Kata 240

2.1 Ju and Go (Tai no Shinshuku) 241

2.2 Rhythm (Waza no Kankyu) 242

2.3 Using the Flow of Energy 242

2.4 There is No Block in Karate 242

2.5 Touching One's Own Body During the Kata 243

2.6 The Circle and the Proper Angle 243

2.7 The Meaning Behind a Preparatory Movement 244

Literature 245

Internet 247

Credits 247