Kihon, Kata, and Kumite: The foundation of Karate
Posted in General Topic on 04/05/2007 01:08 pm by scotchWe all know that the foundation of budo is the practice kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). This foundation is the most important building block of all new karate-ka. This is where all the rest comes to rest, much like the walls and roof of a good solid home. Without kihon there is no kata and with out kata there is not kumite.
When you take kata by itself it becomes a fancy dance. It has no foundation to work from, no application. If you kumite with out kata you lose that which is inherent in karate, the agility and effortless smoothness; its rhythm. Kihon is kata is kumite is karate-do.
It takes years of training and experience to develop karate. It should be taught systematically, step-by-step, to develop proper form, posture, balance, and rhythm of each movement and specific technique. To practice diligently and continuously is most important or you end up with no basics, no foundation, bad habits, incorrect understanding, and no real progress in budo.
One must master the kihon in order to start training in kata. Kata is the center, the hara of karate-do. Kata contains no wasted movement. This is why it is practiced diligently over and over again. You learn to move in kata with no effort, with efficiency, and in time the techniques within kata become instinctive and not just mechanical movement or a dance. This frees the mind so it may remain in the moment, in the now, a mind that is fully alert yet mindless. The state of Mushin coupled with Zanshin.
Kihon and kata teach you how to respond to situations, in combat and in life, with appropriate techniques for the situation. This is where the true power of karate-do is discovered. This is when you respond naturally allowing the body and mind to react instinctively downing your opponent with one blow. This is the nature of kime (focus). Kime is what is born of the unification through practice of kihon, kata, and kumite.
Bibliography
Japanese Karate Association. http://www.jka.or.jp/english/e_index.html: March, 2007