The Guide to Bunkai and Kata
The Guide to Bunkai | Kata | Applying of Techniques BUNKAI Do you practice bunkai at your club? For some Instructors “Sensei” it’s not the most important aspect of Karate teaching the bunkai. Probably because it doesn’t result in getting shiny trophies. Ok, • But what exactly is bunkai? • Why is it important? • And how do you do it? Check it out! Bunkai is the practical application of kata. The word itself actually means “to break down” in Japanese. When used in the context of Karate, bunkai symbolizes the whole process of breaking down the movements of a kata to understand how the techniques can be applied in self-defense. In other words, bunkai is the essence of kata. Kata was never meant to be used as a standalone solo exercise. That’s a modern phenomenon. Originally, kata was created as a memory tool – so you could practice various self-defense techniques used against a violent attacker on your own. Sadly, the study
