The Way of Least Resistance

Bob demonstrates the applications shown in my video. A few years ago my friend Jim asked the following question on the Traditional Fighting Arts Forums: "I think I'm right in saying there is not 1 authentic, traditional Okinawan 'form' that has a complete 2 man Bunkai in existence?"  Jesse Enkamp  replied with this answer : "One word: Seipai!"   I think Jesse-san was right in this (and also about the fact that, as he said, it wasn't the only one!). That said, I also think it is quite rare for Okinawan and Chinese kata to envisage or even permit a literal 2 person application; to my mind most forms were created entirely for single person performance - bearing in mind that such things as embusen  (floor pattern), repetition of certain sequences, etc. make a literal 2 person application unlikely. You can't see the detail, but my right arm is trapped. However occasionally, just occasionally, you get a significant portion of a kata ...

Back on my "blocks" soapbox Okay, so this common, indeed popular , view is one of my biggest "soapbox items": " Traditional blocks comprise two movements. " Of course, I'm referring to two separate movements off the same arm (eg. to one side, then back to the other; or up to the ear, then down low). Obviously I don't subscribe to this view.  In fact, I think it is a misconception.  And, as far as martial arts misconceptions go, I think it is one of the worst. In fact, I see it as blatant nonsense . Doesn't everyone has a valid viewpoint? Now I can see why some people might be scratching their heads here: why can't we just "agree to disagree" - everyone has a perspective and why should one person's be more "valid" than another? Well my feelings are strong on this issue precisley because the "blocks comprise two movements" misconception is profoundly wrong : in physics,...

I think we all accept that karate kata contain some grappling methods, be they grabs, locks or throws. Otherwise the kata would not contain any subtle hand techniques - they would consist purely of punches and kicks with a few blocks thrown in. I am of the view that, like punches and kicks etc., the grappling techniques in kata are based on sound biomechanical principles. I also think that they are far more complex than many instructors currently understand. This may account for why some books say that grappling applications of karate kata are "crude" by comparison with, say, jujustsu. I have seen some very dubious applications accepted as mainstream, applications that are very crude to boot. On the other hand I have seen very effective and advanced grappling applications of the same movement that are far more appropriate. The essential problem many people have with karate grappling applications is that these techniques are mostly performed by practitioners while standing up...