The last aspect I’d like to talk about in kata is… expression. This is kind of a hard one for me to describe; after all, knowing the kata sequence without having to think…possessing excellent form, movement, speed, and power… knowing and being able to execute the underlying bunkai… and performing the kata with a mature timing and rhythm derived from countless repetition… what more is there?

To me, it’s the more important part… showing the heart of the kata. Not merely replicating what you’ve seen your sempais and various senseis do, that would merely be imitation. What is the difference between a perfect photograph, taken of a sunny day by the river, versus a painting by Monet? We know that the paintings of the masters are treasured… not for their ability to replicate what they’ve seen, but their ability to place their own perspective onto the canvas. Even the sidewalk artist at Disneyland doesn’t merely do a quick sketch of you and your family… he will, more often than not, do a quick caricature of you, complete with Mickey Mouse cap. When I was a kid, I enjoyed watching comedians imitating James Cagney, Jimmy Stewart, Ed Sullivan, President Kennedy, etc. It took me a while to understand that they were so much more than just imitators… they were impressionists. In these examples, the artists would have to possess excellent technical skills to be able to portray something that we could immediately recognize…however, in each, they added deeper, underlying knowledge of the subjects and conveyed their own essence of understanding to the final product.

To me, each kata represents many things: the original kata as conceived and performed by ancient masters, the layers of small alterations/modifications made over the years by ensuing senseis, the unique aspects of one’s body and experience, the karateka’s understanding of the underlying bunkai, and most importantly…the martial artist’s own perception and expression of what he/she is performing. When I watch someone performing kata, it can be a window into his/her heart. As we often hear, some singers with excellent voices can sing a song exactly like Michael Bolton or Mariah Carey… it takes a whole lot more to make a song your own, and infuse it with your own heart, interpretation and rhythm. When you can do that, every kata you do can be so much more than a set of prescribed movements. I realize that I don’t always explain things clearly… fortunately, most of what you experience and learn about kata will come, not from these notes, but from actual and repeated practice. Over the years, you will definitely see how your katas will reflect your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth.

I’d like to finish up by mentioning something that usually occurs a couple of times within most katas, and often happens right at the end… the kiai. One day, I’ll devote more space to the kiai, but just wanted to mention it briefly here, within the context of kata expression. In competition, in examination, the kiai (or forgetting to do so) is so important, that you can lose 1/2 point (or whatever) if you forget it… the same amount you could lose by forgetting a movement altogether. In the examination, it could actually affect your chances of passing. For me, the kiai within the kata is akin to hitting that high note in a challenging song. Like the kata itself, a kiai may instantly reveal the maturity, focus and spirit of the practitioner… or lack thereof. For the karateka who performs with strength, speed and precision, but emits a weak or prolonged kiai, a dissonance between body, spirit and mind is uncovered.

Anyway, as you practice kata again and again, and as you are gradually introduced to more of them, you’ll discover that these are enjoyable to perform. It can be an amazing linkage to long gone masters, no different than reading your favorite book or singing a favorite song. Performing a favorite kata can be a thing of joy… in celebrating health, in exercising one’s muscles, working up a sweat, feeling the air as you breathe in deeply. That joy will also find a way to express itself in your kata, alongside all of the other layers of wonder that make up this activity. In our ministry, what an awesome way to praise and worship Him.