The kata of Judo

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The kata of Judo

Professor Jigoro Kano founder of the art of Judo

Professor Jigoro Kano said this about kata training in judo,

"Learining kata is similar to the learning of grammar for the study of writing and randori practice is similar of writing itself.

In other words in order to write a composition, a grasp of grammar is needed.

Thus, in order to perform randori well, knowledge of kata is necessary.

And yet no matter how well one mastered grammar, it doesn't presuppose that one can write fine literature.

On the other hand, if one knows only a smattering of grammar, one cannot write well at all.

This principle is the same as that in jujutsu, if we do not study kata, we can still learn methods of attack and defense, yet on the other hand, we cannot hope to master them." - Jigoro Kano

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Don Draeger observed about the kata process in judo.

Kata performed as an exhibition or demonstration is largely a “doing” type of kata.

By the nature of demonstration, kata used in this fashion always sees tori emerge victorious to graphically show technical aspects about Judo in informing or entertaining an audience.

Uke’s cooperation here, however, must not be one of “jump” for tori, in spite of the predetermined condition of “losing” to tori.

Kata, as a demonstration, is but a shallow and limited usage of kata; it is not the primary purpose of kata, though most tendencies in modern Judo restrict it to this role.

But, even here, if correctly performed as the founder intended, it is a beneficial performance.

Kata, performed as a “using” type of exercise, will see the failure of many attempts by tori to apply his technique, tori will not always “win.”

“This is as it should be, if the kata is being used correctly.

The kata is thus an evaluative device, which registers incorrectly, applied technique and can reveal the reasons why tori is failing to produce the correct result.

In nage no kata, uke makes only predetermined efforts to foil tori, and tori before hand realizes these actions are to come.

In spite of this knowledge, should the technique not come of well, it is a definte sign that tori is not applying his technique properly.

How can he fail with a cooperative uke and expect to “defeat” a non-cooperative uke in randori or shiai?

In katame no kata,, after certain preliminaries, uke is free to actively, and in an undertermined way, extract himself from tori’s technique.

Uke’s escape actions are not prearranged except of utilizing legitimate judo methods.

If, with this “perfect" chance to immonbilize uke, tori fails, how can he ever hope to immobilize a tori who from the beginning, is struggling to defeat him?"

Don Draeger - (Draeger, Judo Randori No Kata and Ju No Kata)

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The kata will temper the combative ardour of the young performer and will undoubtedly also enable him to discover the reason for certain errors he commits in competition…… Thus the kata is a valuable source of technical progress.

Mikonosuke Kawaishi - 7th Dan master of Japanese Judo and Jujutsu

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Sufficient kata and practice impose a well defined technical discipline on the judoist, one that is unattainable by only randori and contest methods.

This discipline, instead of hampering the judoist, actually frees him from undue restrictions, liberates his bodily expression in movement, and teaches him economy of mental and physical energy.

This process can only be understood through experience, and only through kata performance can the judoists come to appreciate Judo in its fullest sense.

Otaki and Draeger (Judo Formal Techniques)

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The traditional martial art of Judo can equip you with decisive throwing and grappling techniques, below we take a look at some of the fundamentals of judo which are found in its kata.

List of Judo kata

1. Nage no Kata: forms of throwing

2. Katame no Kata: forms of grappling

3. Ju no Kata: forms of gentleness

4. Kodokan Goshi Jutsu: modern self defense

5. Kime no Kata: foems of decision

6. Koshiki no Kata: forms of antique

7. Joshi Judo Goshinho: women's self defense

8. Itsutsu no Kata: forms of five

9. Renkoho Waza: arresting techniques

10. Kime Shiki: forms of decision

11. Seiryoku Zen'syo Kokumin Taiiku: maximun-effieciency physical education