‘Bunkai’ means ‘to break down and explore’ and consists of three parts, known as ‘treasures’.

1. Health – Physical, emotional and mental health in the martial arts are paramount as they are more likely to damage or cause death or ill health than any other reason. This is why the yogic and philosophical aspects of movement is contained within the structure, techniques and names.
2. Skill – Kata are constructed to increase skill level by their complexity and technical combinations, far beyond the requirements of just physical self defence. Spatial awareness, balance, mobility, coordination and fluidity are all life skills.
3. Application – when traditional kata were devised there was no internet or media of any kind, long distance travel was difficult, many people couldn’t read or write and books were rare. Learning tended to be by rhythm, cadence, chanting and dance so kata were a kind of learning war dance. Some were ways of remembering the principles of an entire system, some were devised to learn a specific skill set. They were certainly put together in very ingenious and efficient combinations if you understand their roots.

Some were invented by high ranking officials, some by warriors and some by peasants, but all that have stood the test of time have value if you know where and how to look at them.

Photo is of Steve and Ann Rowe in the early 1980’s.