Topic: what is my kata??

[Lloydie]

same reason angles and distances change and "blocks" become strikes etc

yes, but my point is that they ALWAYS were blocks/strikes/etc it is just that by "naming" them as such, they almost become writ law? In a similar way, I think that we have a situation where ALL moves in kata must have some application, I used to think so, now I think that maybe they were strengthening exercises and/or akin to shadow boxing or positions of kamae maybe. 

...you may be correct - BUT the fundamental issue is whether the last moves were ever in the Kata - and if they WERE then......what's an acceptable/practicale "application".....

You see, that's my point - maybe there is no "application";  maybe it's paying homage to Budda;  maybe it's just to complete embusan;  maybe it's a Maori-type dance over the dead bodies of your fallen enemies ( I rather like that one  ); or maybe some one was messing around and thought "this is cooool" - I mean, can you imagine if we let Alex invent a kata, what it would look like    ( no disrespect Alex BTW) Can you imagine future karateka trying to interpret the meaning 

Lloydie

[JimmyTheHoover]

yes, but my point is that they ALWAYS were blocks/strikes/etc it is just that by "naming" them as such, they almost become writ law?

I agree that most students think that way - and that's the "fault" of the instructors who alays seem to take the "easy way out" - at least with Kyu grades and stick to "shouting out" the "Technique name" - I personally think that Kyu grades should be "opened up" to kata "interpretation"  much much earlier.....

In a similar way, I think that we have a situation where ALL moves in kata must have some application, I used to think so, now I think that maybe they were strengthening exercises and/or akin to shadow boxing or positions of kamae maybe. 

I tend to "see-saw" on this one - usually when I can't think of an application for something (which is a large percentage of the time) - but I do tend to believe that everything has a "function" and I'm not a big fan of "kamae" in Kata Bunkai - possibly the breathing/timing training aspects are often overlooked e.g. sped of techniques etc. - if you get my drift.....

You see, that's my point - maybe there is no "application";  maybe it's paying homage to Budda;  maybe it's just to complete embusan;  maybe it's a Maori-type dance over the dead bodies of your fallen enemies ( I rather like that one  ); or maybe some one was messing around and thought "this is cooool"

...well given my previous commitment to "everything has a function....." I can't go with the "no application" slant.....  personally "go with" the "trap and arm/wrist lock" followed by "retreating" as you enforce the lock and usng the trapped opponent to shield you as you back away.... but as to the function of "hopping" in the "Form".... balance exercise ?

Can you imagine Imagine......

Certainly don't want to - imagining mine would be bad enough