Practical Kata Bunkai: Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan Applications

www.iainabernethy.co.uk/
Practical kata bunkai from Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan from Iain Abernethy's "Beyond Bunkai" DVD

[@care4ajellybaby403]

Spot on! I've spent 35 years trying to work out the gnosis of Wado-Ryu/Bushubi and this is the same conclusion I came to. Harsh, aggressive, and completely overwhelming. the true essence of Karate.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

This is awesome! I was in Karate many years ago (in the '70s) but became disillusioned due to the way it was taught - many of the movements made no sense and the instructors couldn't explain them (I was just told, "This is how it's done" etc). I continued in the martial arts though (Silat, Kung Fu and other stuff) and at (almost) 62, I'm still training and teaching. However, something about Karate bugged me and I kept practicing the basics that I learnt all those years ago. Fast forward to now, and we have Iain Abernethy explaining stuff from a completely logical and practical perspective, which is making me rethink Karate. I wish I lived closer to his area. Damn fine instructor!!!

[@BelloBudo007]

I have to be honest and say I LOVE what this guy is doing, and thank goodness someone out there is trying to keep the 'reality' in karate. I say this as a Shotokan karateka of more years than I care to even think about. Shotokan, and to be fair most other schools are the same, has some of the most ridiculous kata application ever though of by man. Often there is zero about them that would work in a 'push comes to shove situation' and I believe it's decline probably has a lot to do with the introduction of competition karate.

[@kunalverma8462]

True.. kata seems to be a pointless dance without its true application.

[@jean4j_]

What is weird is you can see a lot of legit masters (7th to 10th Dan) that teach those ridiculous kata applications on KZbin. Of course maybe they just teach that as the basic and the real kata applications are taught to advanced students. But still ... I'm seeing a lot of these bunkai with Oi Tsuki from far distance and very robotic responses.

[@entelektuel.yolculuk]

@@jean4j_ hmm, why do you think they make such simple interpretations of katas? Especially the katas of Shito Ryu are so complex

[@jean4j_]

@@entelektuel.yolculuk Well it's just what I observe from the videos I've seen on KZbin. You know those totally unrealistic bunkai where tori attacks uke with.tsuki from a mile away (lol) and uke does a typical karate bloc (which is not even supposed to be one) and counter attack with a gyaku tsuki or something while tori is just waiting for it. Of course this happens much more in Shotokan based styles than in Okinawan ones. Maybe they do that because that's the way to teach it. Starting with the basic and also unpratical bunkai and see the actual bunkai later.

[@entelektuel.yolculuk]

@@jean4j_ hahah, I see your point. It's just meaningless to teach that way that you talk about. They should introduce kihons and basics, then when they claim to be teaching bunkai, it should actually be bunkai, y know. I think many high degree karate kas don't even know realistic applications. They don't even have vision on it sometimes. It just sickens me, those are the main reason why karate is seen like a slow dance or a child heating up sport throughout the world.

[@buzzardneckseahag]

His explanation of the form and use of the techniques is more practical than a lot of the old-style traditionalist will do

[@Gundyisme]

Really like the alphabet example.... Been trying to find a good way of explaining that for years. Great Job

[@brandonmifsud]

As a Sandan Ho in Goju style Karate who now trains in Jiu Jitsu, I have to say this was great! I find it very disappointing like Karate has almost universally lost touch with real combat, great to see you doing your bit to bring it back!

[@Shadowrulzalways]

Kyokushin has plenty of combat. I will admit it isn’t as good as it’s old school counterpart. But it still has it’s realistic combat methods for striking. Just needs it’s throws and take downs back.

[@jean4j_]

@@Shadowrulzalways don't forget to add back those face punches as well

[@Shadowrulzalways]

@@jean4j_ It already has that.’

[@jean4j_]

@@Shadowrulzalways Just theoretically. Since most of Kyokushin schools train for competitions which do not allow face punches, most of Kyokushin practitioners don't train much for it. Old-school Kyokushin train for face punches but it seems that modern days Kyokushin does not sadly

[@CloudFlame]

the fact that you said Naihanchi(s) are like a fighting system in their own right is eye opening. In the past Ive done the forms as a shadowboxing type thing but mixed sequences and techniques from nihanchi 1,2, and 3. ( I always remained in kiba dachi but shifting sideways ) practicing that opens up new flow patterns for sure. I'll have to try it while moving around now, thanks.

[@Liquidcadmus]

Osu! it's very nice to see someone delve deeper into the real application of the Kata techniques. great video!

[@Aidanimation]

Beyond bunkai is a great video. Very glad I picked it up. Iain has helped revive real karate. If you ever can, attend a seminar, great stuff!

[@carlos20557]

Sensei Abernethy rompió los esquemas.. se atrevió a dar un paso crucial.. esto es karate jutsu, es decir técnica de combate.. para eso son los katas.. no para hacer de ellos coreografías muy bonitas y mostrarlas en torneos.. es el sistema okinawense, o autentico karate.. excelente interpretación...

[@BenMaimonides]

Love the combination of flow drill with Naihanchi (Tekki) kata. Brilliant exercise! Thanks for sharing! ありがとう!

[@laurencelance586]

Good Morning from Washington State USA. I applaud this type of effort and I agree that the Nihanchin kata are a complete system in themselves. A fellow researcher, now passed on, was of the thought that there were five Nihanchin and that two were lost or my exist a judo system. He was also of the opinion that these may be the oldest kata known. They appear simple, but one must remember; they are not a simple tale but a tale told simply. We Matsumura do them slightly differently, but I'm not convinced we or anyone has the absolutel truth on the proper way to do them. Ian, great work. Keep it up! Laurence Lance Matsumura Nanadan. ( yeah I'm that old! )

[@kylemacarthur9863]

Fabulous. It makes so much sense the way you put it

[@akrocuba]

OUTSTANDING!!! He does the kata perfectly!

[@miketurley8272]

@510 - 540 .simply just amazing thank you Sensei.

[@alemannicbushcraft1742]

Ian, thank you so much for this video! I am just learning this kata for reaching my next grade. So good explained!

[@grahamswift4519]

Just found your set of videos .I'm teaching this kata to a group of students at karate camp this weekend ,ranging from orange belts too 5 Dans. For me an essential kata .but at this new wado Ryu club I've joined completely forgotten apart from one 2nd Dan woman of 47 yrs old .your technician Al set up is great I will inspire from it .thank you

[@mr.kelly.4861]

Thank you Iain., The dissection bunki application primary to understanding this kata. I hope to visit your dojo in future years My current physical condition will not allow me. That’s another story.

[@Bornie205]

That was fantastic. Thank you. Love the advice about chaos. Never really heard that before but so true

[@sonjonbobis]

Iain isn't Scottish, he's English! How do I know this? That's my dad he's demonstrating with from 4.45. ;) (Cumbrian accent, and he's softened it for this video.)

[@graylad]

@sonjonbobis Loved your comment. Made me home sick. Though Abernathy is a Scottish name, (as is mine as well as the fact that I had a Scottish father), the Cumbrian accent IS a dead give away. As is my Cockney accent 😉 Cheers from Canada, where I now live. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@victorribeiro2431]

Just ask the man to say "window", If a "windy" comes out of his mouth, than he's a Highlander.

[@sonjamoore9808]

@@victorribeiro2431 I know the guy personally. I was at school with him. We live about 400 miles away from the Highlands.

[@chrisbrunskill6525]

Great breakdown of kata here.

[@Sujiceel]

I LOVE THIS DEMONSTRATION!!

[@rocco3377]

Thank you Iain. Your Li is strong, intent is everything. I am a blue belt in Shorinkan Shorin-Ryu, and this is exactly what I have been looking for to start peeling back some layers of my kata. Again, thank you!

[@adgalloway1]

Who do you train with in Shorinkan Bman?

[@kevinturcotte1745]

Nihanchi shodan was my first kata for having my yellow belt. We learned only one move bunkai for this one :( . I like your fighting approch, very realist . Tanks this inspire me !

[@PETEtheTRAINER]

NICELY EXPLAINED & REALISTICALLY DEMO'D

[@darrellwatkinson6669]

well done this is a nice demo of how technique is applied in reality.

[@Yamabushi37]

Excelent explanation my respect to you Sensei like your vision about kata bunkai

[@Rizaldjohan]

I am usually not a fan of shotokan, but you impress me bro. You're peeling layers of Kata to applicable moves. You, sir, are one dangerous English man :)

[@stefansandbergsweden]

Not Shotokan, Wado-Ryu. 🥋

[@jean4j_]

@@stefansandbergsweden Iain is a Wado-Ryu practitioner? I thought he trains in Okinawan styles

[@stefansandbergsweden]

@@jean4j_ Yes Wado-ryu, no Okinawan Karate. 🥋

[@jean4j_]

@@stefansandbergsweden I actually used to shodan in Wado-Ryu but it's years since I practiced Karate and I was thinking of switching to an Okinawan style (probably Goju-Ryu) for a better body conditioning and more practical katas. Kyokushin could work too (even their kata are even worse lol)

[@stefansandbergsweden]

@@jean4j_ I am doing Shito-ryu and Uechi-ryu with an eye on Goju-ryu. 🥋

[@MrMurf46]

Excellent !! Love the kata as well. Ossu !

[@joaoguilhermebastos519]

Pure smacking class. Striking, yes. Within grapple.

[@MassimodiMuziocomposer]

very good! That's the difference between sport wado ryu and traditional one!

[@espartaco34]

Wado Ryu Naihanchi!! I love it!!

[@yb2203]

Buen trabajo de investigación 👍

[@instructorlex8273]

You have much more power and snap then myself and part of that is just because you’re a bad ass and I’m not, but also part is because in American Tang Soo Do there often isn’t enough training with that snap as an emphasis. Many Okinawan styles do a better job of this. Great as always to see your analogy of any kata. It’s never second place to anybody. Always either as good as any other or better! Nothing but respect.

[@terryshaw5503]

I love it.

[@JonathanReyes-gv2fw]

Excellent analogy with the alphabet Sensei 👌 Gonna share this video with my peers at the dojo 🤙🏾

[@rightfootlefthand]

I also admire Iain's perspectives regarding practicality. As far as Mushin is concerned, there is a fine balance between mentally expecting to finish the fight in one action (swordsmanship) in one extreme vs. expecting it to drag into a bar-room brawl in the other extreme. We can clearly observe Iain loves to brawl, strongly drawing from those northern roots 😀 One also needs to consider how to prepare their rebuttal to the police when trying to explain that even though all the onlookers saw you repeatedly elbowing him in the head, you were really trying to "end" the fight and "defend" yourself, and you were not enjoying dragging it into a brawl at all 😊 Finally, while you are busy brawling with one assailant repeatedly, pray that you don't get jumped by his friends. With all that being said, this approach is not inferior to the one-action expectation; it is simply a different perspective. Thanks Iain for all the hard work over the years.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

The intention is always one action, but we don’t stop after one action if the enemy is still functioning, and safe escape is not possible. There is never the intention to use a combination, but we accept the reality that we may have to … and that should be practised.

[@snieves4]

Love it. Good job. Osu.

[@VanishingNomad]

This is the first time I have ever seen a karate guy explain details the way Kung Fu teachers do. I am almost thinking he's doing a Chinese Hakka style behind the scenes. Also, maybe a de Thouars Silat influence based on a few things I have seen and certain verbiage he uses.

[@nudziciemnie]

I will learn this kata someday.

[@heambprofdrsgm.hanshimoham4543]

Very nice

[@mr.philroussin1649]

Thank You.

[@goodbuy7556]

will you ever do seminar in Serbia?

[@jamesnewman6032]

Love the alphabet analogy!

[@franklin3321]

Plainly: Excellent. Ossu

[@omrewe]

awesome this is how demo should be done full power and intensity.makes me wanna learn your art.i guess it's karate,no?

[@userfortytwo]

Nice with HD! =)

[@priyanshubiswal817]

Which style of karate do u practice

[@practicalkatabunkai]

None :-) These days I simply label what I do as "karate" and don't define beyond that. This article expalins why: iainabernethy.co.uk/article/styles-are-they-killing-karate

[@danielzusatz8504]

MAGNIFIQUE BIEN EXPLIQUER

[@swordfreak16]

Im sure glad hes such a nice guy lol!

[@chatulydo]

El último Sensei aire !!!

[@manosmamalis2732]

How many times does he have to kill the guy lol. That's not assault. That's assault and pepper....

[@jessielafferty3040]

loved the video but hated the fade outs

[@JaewonWorld]

I think learning MMA would be effective to bunkai kata's movement

[@JohnDoe-mw1bx]

I don't see how all the free flowing, self defense moves were derived from the archaic, robotic like movement of the Japanese kata done in the beginning.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

+John Doe The full DVD builds it up, but it's obviosuly not covered in full in the clip. This artilce explains the general process: iainabernethy.co.uk/article/four-stages-kata-practise

[@GlobbitsGaming]

+John Doe Attend one of his seminars dude, what the video does not make apparent is that yes the kata does look robotic but is intended to transfer principles that the practitioner can respond to an unscripted attack (which they always are).

[@teddypantelas]

It’s origin is actually Okinawan not Japanese. Great job Ian Abernathy!

[@netcoms197]

@@teddypantelas as far as i can understand so far, from looking online, niahanchi is independent of, and predates karate, thought to be brought to okinawa from china, niahanchi was incorporated into karate, not formulated from it. wadoryu guy hironori otsuka apparently viewed the version of niahanchi that we see in this video as the most important kata

[@joshuaforeman2611]

2:45 Naihanchi

[@loboalvarez3515]

Yo he contado que en un aplicación hasta 10 golpes, jolines, una pasada no?. Cuando en boxeo, con uno solo ya hay ko.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

There is the karate principle of “Ikken Hissatsu” i.e. “to finish with one blow”. However, that does not mean we only throw one blow. What it means is that the intent is always to end things NOW. Just as in boxing, we accept that nothing is guaranteed and the first one may not do the job (which is why combinations exist in boxing), so we immediately follow up with another blow. It is not our intent to use more than one, but if a blow does not end the situation NOW, we flow to the next NOW (that’s how time works) and seek to end it with the following blow.

[@StressJudoCoaching]

If a Guy Richie movie came alive & taught karate ...

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Love it! :-)

[@aroly6]

These techniques have nothing to do with MMA, which they pre-date by hundreds of years. The most obvious influence is Japanese Ju Jitsu, from which Wado Ryu was developed.

[@Shadowrulzalways]

But they work well in MMA. Unless some of them are banned.

[@xanto40]

que bueno ! se dieron cuenta que el Karate no es comiquita de torneos ! es una lastima que un arte marcial tan completo se haya convertido en lo que es hoy . entrenan 4 horas un kata y no tiene idea para que sirve ! pobre Karatedo .....

[@ingvsanchezalonso]

francisco antonio Delgado Diaz así es, como dices, hoy se preocupan más por enseñar a ganar puntos que en explicar y enseñar el verdadero significado del karate, que es poder defenderse. Saludos

[@timandjacquinicklin9596]

Ok although I'm not against the work done here , my correction from a man that spent over half my life in Asia , is that Bunkai is not the place to utilise Kata . Bunkai should not deviate from the original Kata at all . Only in Oyo should one deviate from the basic form . I would suggest that you understand your Kata process completely before you teach it . Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum Tim

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Different karateka use different terminologies. If we are going to be pedantically strict, then “Bunkai” (分解) refers to the analysis of the kata. However, most karateka (including those in Japan) use it as a coverall term to refer to the application of kata. I do the same. I also find needless sub-categorisation of the kata process to be confusing for students and of no real value. YOU WROTE (my highlight): “I would suggest that you understand YOUR KATA PROCESS completely before you teach it.” I do understand mine completely :-) It’s just not the same as yours because, at the very least, we use differing terminology. I will continue to teach what I do, in the way that I do it, because people like it and tell me they benefit from it. You do you, and I’ll do me. Fair enough? :-) All the best, Iain

[@timandjacquinicklin9596]

@@practicalkatabunkai Ok no your wrong , there are five stages to Kata study and your missing three if them . This has nothing to do with choosing the in-correct use of a language. Yes I agree that Bunkai does mean analysis, the break down and view in portions of any given subject . However in the traditions of Japanese and Okinawan martial arts this is not the stage where you apply Kata or any given subject. Work being done here, whether in solo or partner should be purely about learning the Kata and not applying it. If you wish me to write in full and explain to you the correct use of Kata study and there five different stages , I'm happy to do so . Scientia est potentia Tim Nicklin. 7th Dan Goju Ryu to Kobujutsu.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

@@timandjacquinicklin9596 One of the things I find difficult is when people feel their karate is the only valid one. In your group you may well have five stages of kata study; but other groups, styles and instructors set things up a little differently. We have four: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2GVlWCHisSUpac I know of other groups who number things differently too (3, 6, etc). I would never say they are “wrong” if it all comes down to is how they describe the process and if all elements are there. You say there are “five stages” and I am missing two (leaving three presumably). However, you are clearly confused about the content of the video. Please see the title at 2 seconds in. There you will see the title “Beyond Bunkai”. All of this footage comes from the video of the same name. What is shown here would be predominately Stage 3 of the process (varying and adaptation in line with underlying principles). This is the variation stage; it is not showing the other three in our process. You seem to be criticising the video for showing variations, when that is what the video is on :-) Stage 2 (as we do it) would be the set drills to gain understanding of that the kata is showing … however, that will also include some variation (but not the free flowing, not knowing ahead of time type this video is discussing). If a student does the drill with a tall partner I don’t want them punching them in the shoulder instead of the jaw because “no variations are allowed and the kata has the punch 160cm from the floor". The bottom line is that what we do works, people like it, it’s logical, well structured, and that’s why is has a strong following. If you want to explain your five stages, then you too can make a video. I won’t be coming along and writing a post on it saying you are wrong :-) I don’t see myself as the solo authority or “gatekeeper” of all karate; irrespective of style, instructor or group. Do you think anyone should do that? All the best, Iain

[@timandjacquinicklin9596]

@@practicalkatabunkai ok I'm not talking about my karate being more valid than your you idiot. I'm talking about the fact that Bunkai is a stage for learning Kata not using it. All the work done at Bunkai stage should stick strictly to the Kata and all the partner work done here, at this stage should not change ( henka) the Kata in any way . Now I've not been rude to you personally I JUST OFFERED real information on Kata study. The fact that you choose to personal shows you know deep down inside You are missing big chunks of knowledge yet still teaching !!!!! Nihil conatus Tim

[@timandjacquinicklin9596]

@@practicalkatabunkai I will ad these are not my teaching they are the teaching of great Japanese masters of old . If you set up your school differently , it is because you are missing chunks of traditional information . Opinion is not knowledge . Stultus tam stultus facit Tim

[@sebastianmohammed9697]

wado's naihanchi..

[@princekermit0]

wado's karate side is from Funakoshi's Shotokan