Meaning in kata OR when a punch is not a punch
When people talk about how to extract meaning from the movements in kata, they often refer to how the physical actions can be directly translated into a technique. Often, this is the case, but is opposite to how kata were designed (technique first, kata second). Kata is 'written' in shorthand, to assist with solo practice of techniques. Not everything in them is meant to be taken literally. I have gained much insight from Kane and Wilder's The Way of Kata , through general reading, through the techniques we practice versus the kata we do and through things my instructor has demonstrated and said For me, this is some of the shorthand of kata. If a hand is touching another part of my body, it implies being grabbed by the opponent (eg: saifa opening) moving forwards is an aggressive technique (but the movement is not necessarily part of the technique) likewise, moving backwards is a defensive technique open hands can mean grabbing/holding the opponent hikite ...