Kata are sets of movements designed to teach certain principles. They are usually done in pairs and are quite short, comprising of just a few moves involving positioning, strikes, kicks, throws etc. They may also involve weapons. There are only 2 sets of basic kata in the Bujinkan to memorise but there are hundreds of kata that the art draws its knowledge from. These kata aren't memorised but are practiced regularly enough for the principles contained in them to become engrained.

People generally mistake kata for self-defence moves or techniques. This is incorrect. They are merely physical vehicles that allow us to understand movement. You would never do a kata in a real combat situation but you might fluidly progress through the situation using intuitive responses that were learned through the study of kata and other training methods.

In the Jiyu dojo, kata are studied in a relaxed manner. Once the basic form is learned it can be changed and explored in many ways. In real combat there is no form. Martial arts are about the journey from conscious learning to unconscious and appropriate action.

Last updated on November 16, 2008 by Alex Martinez