Functional Karate: 04/01/2009

26 Apr 2009

Naihanchi / Tekki

I finally spent some time learning the sequence of Naihanchi/Tekki kata this weekend. Its a pretty short form. I've been taught a large number of practical applications for it recently. Many of these applications are clinch fighting techniques and hence provide a great addition to my skillset (which is predominantly longer range still).

Its a great kata for solo practice (if that's your interest, though obviously solo practice of a form will only provide limited training benefits) in the home since it requires so little floorspace.

About Mike

Though he studied Judo for five years as a junior, it was not until 2001 that Mike began training in Kusano-ha-Shitoryu Karate with Paul Ferris (at that time 5th Dan and Chief Instructor of Kenshikan England).

Mike was awarded his 1st Dan in 2004. and the rank of Shidoin-Ho in 2005. He taught classes in traditional Karate weekly during 2006-2008 and is still in contact with some of his students and fellow training partners from Kusano-ha.

Mike trains regularly with other martial artists and focusses on the practical applications of Karate for self defence purposes.

Introduction to Functional Karate

Developed from Chinese boxing and Okinawan wrestling systems, Karate was originally called just "Te", meaning hand. It is likely that Karate's original pioneers were well educated and respected people such as law-enforcers and the bodyguards of dignitaries.

The meaning of the term "Kara-te" was changed from "Chinese hand" to "Empty hand" in the early 1900s and, in a modified form, the art was introduced to the Japanese school system as a way of developing fit and healthy, disciplined students. It was this transition from the backyards of Okinawa to the schools and dojo of Japan - and ultimately the western world - which ensured Karate's survival as an art, but relegated many of its most effective techniques and training methods to obscurity.

Modern trends for reality-based martial arts are now helping to boost the profiles of those karate practitioners who look closely at their own art, are not afraid to question tradition and who have discovered the brutal effectiveness held within.

In this blog I put into words some of my training notes and also I include links to other karate-ka who are helping to bring functional Karate back into the world, albeit with modern training methods.