Most of the bunkai I have seen out there is a complete waste of time. That is a strong statement, so in this video lesson I explain what I mean. If you learn the kata first and then the bunkai, you are learning it the wrong way round.

This lesson is for karateka and traditional martial artists who want their kata to mean something in a real fight.

The Problem With Kata-First Learning

The usual way is to spend years learning the shape of a kata, then later be shown an application for each move. By then, the shape has become the goal. The application gets bent to fit the performance, and often it is something that would never work against a real attacker.

You end up with bunkai that only works on a partner who throws a long, slow, stepping punch and then stands still. Nobody attacks like that.

Learn the Bunkai First

My approach is the opposite. Learn the bunkai first. Take the individual movements and make them work for real against a partner who is grabbing, pushing and swinging the way people actually do. Then, if you want to, learn the kata as a way of remembering what you already know works.

When you do it this way round:

  • Every movement has a purpose before you perform it
  • You find the angles and targets that make a move effective
  • The kata becomes a record of working techniques, not a dance
  • You can use the moves straight away, not years later

Making a Move Work for Real

To test a movement, ask simple questions. What attack is this dealing with? Where is my partner's balance after I do it? What target am I hitting, and at what angle? If you cannot answer those questions, the application probably will not work under pressure.

Many kata movements make far more sense close in, dealing with grabs, strikes and balance, than at long range. Taking the balance first and hitting a sensible target makes even simple movements very effective. Train them with control and a cooperative partner first, then add resistance.

Take It Further

If you want practical, working applications, Kata Unleashed shows how I approach bunkai. For the principles behind the targets and angles, read Pressure Point Fighting: The Complete Guide.