Don't think of the kata individually , rather in sets 5 Heian 3 Tekki 3 Ji etc Then factor in the various sho and dai variations and the number comes down , personally i do think there are maybe too many kata , the sho and dai thing being a personal bugbear.
You Shoto boys have a couple in there - although I understand there is a version 2 with 2 more kata from each style featured. http://www.kamikazeweb.com/showimage.php?text=f&id=00278 Gary
well, the two main ****o-ryu ****eigata, bassai dai and seienchin, are also the ones commonly required for the first dan grading, so for us at least focus on them isn't that much of an issue (of course, i have no idea if their being ****eigata is actually the reason they're done for shodan, but i doubt it). there's more of a problem when the version you do is not the same as the ****ei, but those two in particular change very little anyway, except some weird cases of massive mutation.
And I think that's the point. It's more about controlling the mutilation - during the teaching process. Keeping the core principles sound and - dare I say it, more recorded in the way they are transmitted. Of course this doesn't sit too well within the Shu-ha-ri spectrum of things, but hey, the Iaido/kenjutsu boys have done it. Gary
Trying to do kata in a small space that has about 20 people in it, is too warm, and you're very thirsty. Found it very distracting last night doing my kata. I couldn't concentrate. How do you do nice katas in such conditions.
Been there...done that. Our dojo is in an old warehouse that only recently got a modern (but still not sufficient!) a/c unit. Summers were *awful* and doing kata one right after the other was murder. Then we'd take a road trip to a seminar/testing and be working out in a cool place it and felt very weird! But now we have some semblance of coolness (try 90 degrees F instead of 100!) and an actual working water fountain, so all is well.
Tournament tomorrow - was going to do Sanseru but my left ankle is dodgy and my left knee went earlier this week. May have to change katas.......
Good luck! Have fun! btw i loved tournaments. although i'm waiting to compete again til i get my orange belt.
I was stunningly bad - no balance at all (although my ankle held up pretty well, considering). I had to restart after an obvious wobble, then put my foot down in the wrong place after a kick on the second attempt (it was that, or fall on my face). Bizarrely enough, the rest of the kata wasn't so bad - if I can keep my balance while pivoting the supporting foot during the side kicks, under Tournament conditions, Sanseru isn't a complete write-off. Any tips on how to maintain balance during kata when my legs are shaking with nerves and I haven't slept properly for 3 nights?
