Saturday 10 October 2009

The importance of doing kata

News from the BKA has it that after the next grading at Mumeishi Kata requirements will change.
Essentially it will affect all those attempting 1st Dan and above and really means that kendoka will be required to learn more of the later katas than before. This is more in line with European Kendo Federation grading requirements.

But what does this mean? Well it means that we will be learning all of the katas, not just the ones needed to get you through your next shinsa. Of course the only way to get to those later katas -Ropponme, Nanahonme and the Kodachi katas is to have thoroughly grasped the earlier ones. To do that you have to actually come to the kata lessons.

At Liverpool Kendo Club we practice, on average, twice a month for two hours each session. Very few clubs nationwide will devote so much time to kata and certainly not in such detail. Additionally for club members this lesson is FREE! The cost of practice is included in your monthly fees so the only thing stopping you going is getting there. Information on the practices are updated regularly on the club calendar, with the location on the map.

If this was not enough to convince you of the importance of kata just remember it was only through kata that 'Daniel-san' wins in Karate Kid 3. Go on, do it for Mr Miyagi! ;)

Sunday 4 October 2009

Kata back at Crosby

Kata is on again at Crosby 7:30pm start at Chesterfield High School. More information available on the training calendar. See you there.