Is Bunkai on the belt test?
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Hot Lunch
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For some schools, yes. It was at my last school, but bunkai was drilled on at least once a week there; so you weren't likely to walk into the test having forgotten anything.
Yes it is in our belt testing. From learning the first kata we are taught bunkai alongside, and in belt tests we are to ask our 'attacker' to do something specific to demonstrate how we can apply what's in the kata.
We do have set bunkai/applications as a standard and are graded on that, but are encouraged to explain alternatives and I always explain the principles contained within it that are at work.
Obviously the higher ranks you still have to demonstrate all bunkai from previous kata, but to a higher degree of understanding and proficiency, and more of them. Last grading was at least 5 applications per kata (I tended to go more haha).
Not all schools grade on or even do bunkai. Goju seems big on it. My last style it had zero focus, however in Dan gradings the examiner I've noticed ask to simply explain (not demonstrate) some (like maybe 2 or 3 total, and just for one kata) bunkai in kata, but that was it.
We do have set bunkai/applications as a standard and are graded on that, but are encouraged to explain alternatives and I always explain the principles contained within it that are at work.
Obviously the higher ranks you still have to demonstrate all bunkai from previous kata, but to a higher degree of understanding and proficiency, and more of them. Last grading was at least 5 applications per kata (I tended to go more haha).
Not all schools grade on or even do bunkai. Goju seems big on it. My last style it had zero focus, however in Dan gradings the examiner I've noticed ask to simply explain (not demonstrate) some (like maybe 2 or 3 total, and just for one kata) bunkai in kata, but that was it.
Yeah pretty much, certainly makes it easier to grade it objectively. But we are encouraged to show other possibilities, and in our general classes we explore what else could be occurring or how else to demonstrate the principles.
Well "bunkai" (which is a term far more used in the west, even if it's now getting traction in Japan, bit like cultural feedback) is about analyzing subsets of kata movements and invent interpretations of them. How, and why could it be tested? Everyone can make up whatever they want as a consequence of doing "bunkai", and your result is as good as mine or anybody... which means generally not that good at all: I think the whole idea makes no sense if one understands what kata is about.
If you're thinking about specific interpretations that may have been taught in a class, I suppose some dojos may ask you to try or explain them as part of a test.
isshinryuronin
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A good definition.
I completely agree with this statement as worded. However, it is based on the premise that bunkai is "invented" and being "made up." When this is done the result will indeed likely be "not that good at all." I have seen a lot of this.
Any interpretation of bunkai must be based on proper biomechanics, logical human response to your technique (both mentally and physically), simplicity and effectiveness. "...whatever they want" does not cut it. And it must harmonize with the kata. I cannot say a move is an elbow break if I haven't first extended (and immobilized) the arm, or that by standing on one leg the opponent will be enticed to do an elbow strike that I defend against, for example.
A short while ago in the thread, "Value of upper level forms," I used the terms "creative and flexible" to describe kata bunkai. This does not imply inventing and making stuff up. It has to be based on reality. But even those terms I used can be taken too far and completely diverge from the kata's design. Whatever modifications one makes to the kata for a particular bunkai to work, it should be recognizable as belonging to that particular kata. If not, I think one has gone too far and has likely compromised that movement series, or those that follow.
Some kata bunkai is self-evident and probably what the creator had in mind. Some is more obscure and require a good level of understanding the art to recognize. Some has to be reversed engineered to come up with an explanation, which may or may not be exactly what the creator had in mind. Whatever the case, IMO the bunkai must adhere to the qualities I listed in italics in paragraph two.
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