Kata and Kumite

Kata is the system of fighting motions which includes all main technical action and movements existing within the style.

The person performing Kata leads a meditative combat against several adversaries, attacking at the same time, of different sizes and having different styles and techniques with regard to the use of blows and weapons. Kata reconstitutes the condition of a real fight, and has a direct effect on one's subconscious. As a result it produces an automatism of movements and reflexes.

In the Sindo Ryu school, like in other "real" karate schools (of which there were a few up until WWII and now even fewer) Kata and Kumite are not diametrically opposed. These two methods, which are complementary to one another, are designed for attaining the same goal - developing the ideal fighter. But it goes without saying that in traditional schools (like in Sindo Ryu) that Kata is considered to be the most important element and the Kumite secondary.

You see, each Kata offers you not only a set of technical movements inherent to the given style, but above all a meditative bout against several adversaries of different size and having different styles, techniques and weapons.

If the practice of Kata is approached with this principle in mind then it imperceptibly unclenches within the disciple the ability to act and react in any fight ,whether it be in training or in reality, automatically.

You know, it is indeed in the process of the dynamic meditation (Kata) that the combinations of blows and kicks, evasions and blocks, attacks and leaps are drilled into the mind.

It's all a question of getting the performance of Kata to the level of meditation. Otherwise little use can be obtained from these exercises in regard to the preparation to of a real fight to the death. In most schools such is the case: only the normative fundamentals of the school can be seen, that "obligation" that must be "passed" in order to obtain the next belt. In the Sindo Ryu school, however, such much energy and internal thought is thrown into the practice of Kata that even beginners feel that each Kata training session is like a real serious fight.

The program of the Sindo Ryu school provides for the teaching students of fighting Kata. Students master 12 kata without arms (including 2 breathing-energizing).

Kata without weapons:

• Sanjugo
• 5 Kata Pinan, (Nidan, Shodan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan)
• Sanchin
• Bassay
• KuanKu
• Wanshu
• Seienchin

5 kata with weapons - to be mastered by holders of the "Dan" level::

• Second Dan - with the long stick (Roku-shyakubo) and the short trident (Sai).
• Third Dan - with the short chain (nunchaku) and with millstones handles (Tonfa)
• Fourth Dan - with a par of scythes (Kama)

Kumite (sparing) includes the following types:

• Kihon Kumite - sparing with fixed movement of one or three steps.
• Dju ippon Kumite- open sparing using one movement.
• Uri Kumi Dju - open sparing using any technique but without "kime" (maximal strength) in the blows.
• Djissen Kumite - open sparing in which the only blows forbidden are ones to the eyes - but with strict refereeing in order to avoid serious injuries.
• Tanganho Kumite - open sparing - only open handed blows permitted.
• Uri Kumi Go - one of the apogees of the Sindo Ryu School - open full contact bouts with no rules, in which the use of any techniques or blows are permitted with the exception of blows to the eyes. There are neither weight categories nor protective equipment.
• Niate Kumite - one man against two using the same rules as in "Uri Kumi Go".