The Question We Keep Asking About Kata
Perhaps we’ve been looking for the answer in the wrong place. A few days ago, someone left a comment on
The Words on the Wall
What does a dojo creed mean if we don’t live by it? Most traditional karate dojos have some form of
The Point Where Training Pushes Back
When training pushes back, what we believe gets tested. Years ago, when I still lived in the UK, I had
Did Kata Begin With Two-Person Drills?
What we know, what seems likely, and where the evidence runs out A question came up recently that I think
How Do We Use Kata Effectively?
If the original meaning is uncertain, what makes an application useful? When I talk about using kata effectively, I don’t
Before It Becomes a Fight
Why self-protection begins long before physical contact. There was another shooting near me recently. One person was killed and another
Sōke: Founder or Successor?
What happens when a position of succession becomes a title of status? Every so often I come across a martial
According to Legend
How martial arts stories become martial arts history I remember this picture very clearly. Bodhidharma sitting in a cave, staring
When Choreography Becomes Application
When unrealistic attacks, compliant partners, and inherited explanations are mistaken for practical bunkai. Every day on social media, you can
I Was Never Taught That
At some point, an instructor has to stop waiting to be shown every answer. One phrase I hear quite often
