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Kata

Kata Training and Aikido

by Diane Skoss

The following article was written by Diane Skoss who is the creator of Koryu.com. Diane has studied in Japan and began with Tomiki aikido in 1982 at Indiana University, and she now holds a 4th dan, Jiyushinkai, and 4th dan, JAA.

Non-aikidoka are often confused when I talk about kata in aikido--"You mean like what they do in karate?" Even most aikidoka are aware of kata only as a term referring to form as opposed to application, or in reference to Saito Sensei's solo or paired weapons training sequences. Ueshiba Morihei apparently did not approve of the kata training method, believing that "static" prearrangement of techniques interfered with the direct, spontaneous transmission of techniques from the gods. more....

 

The Tanto Randori No Kata (junanahon)

The following techniques form the basis for tanto (knife) randori practise in the dojo. These economical but effective techniques are taught first as kata and then through various drills and forms of randori practise. This gives the student the opportunity to develop the skills of evasion, breaking of an opponent's posture and balance in a fluid, 'live' situation where the outcome is not pre-determined. Through this combination of learning techniques formally in sequences of movement as kata and then using them freely, as the situation demands, the student can internalise techniques and make them their own.

Atemi Waza

Hiji-Waza

In this sequence tori control's uke's elbow to disturb his posture and apply a lock to immobilise or throw him to the mat.