What is Karate? Ippon Kumite?

Given the interest in my ‘anti-Karate’ ramblings on here by Karate_Stylist (KS) in his various typo-riddled guises I think it’d be a good idea to try to put forward my point of view as succinctly as possible. I am not anti-Karate as such, rather I am against the steadfast adherence to out-dated training methods and a lack of willingness to progress beyond the standard. Sanbon kumite or San Dan Ge and associated Ippon kumite exemplifies it for me. San Dan Ge is the Goju version of sanbon kumite and is equally awful.

These training methods teach a robotic method of shifting through or between Karate stances. As KS mentions, trying to fight in this manner would be a disaster. There is so much wrong with this method of movement, which I have covered elsewhere, that I really can’t see the point.

From Sanbon to Ippon Kumite

I have read that it teaches timing but if it does, this timing is at such an almost banal level that it really is less than basic. Ippon kumite steps up the skill level a little and does allow room for learning timing of techniques that is different to that of the attacker and some angled counters. The trouble is that the protocol is so formalised and so far removed from anything like what happens in a fight that it’s value is less than it should be.

The video is of Shotokan Karate legend Kanazawa Sensei talking about and partaking in the jiyu (free) version of the ippon. As a Karate legend I hesitate to diss Kanazawa Sensei, however, while he does indeed shift between the deep Shotokan stances well the movement can hardly be described as natural and free-flowing, however he does move much better than those Karateka in a clip of sanbon kumite from a previous post. Further, the techniques used are a great example of what is wrong with karate, they just won’t work against someone moving freely and naturally.

KS says that the progression from sanbon to ippon kumite are points along the journey and a method to train the underlying principles of Karate-do; discipline and hard work. This is all very well but it is rather like knocking a building down with a lump hammer. Sure it’s hard work and it will build discipline but it’s hardly efficient. This is not meant to be an attack on KS but merely an expression of my frustration with the inefficient training methods of karate which are still purported to by worthwhile.

Where are the underlying principles?

Now I realise an eight minute you tube clip of a Karate legend cannot possible illustrate everything he has, however it does show how a Karate legend performs Ippon Kumite and as such should provide a top class example. Now forgive me if I’m wrong but I don’t see anything of great value in that clip and if the underlying principles of Karate-do are hidden in there somewhere please can someone help me spot them? KS says he is unable to do so in narrative anyone else care to help?

Tags: ippon kumite, jiyu ippon kumite, Karate, karate arts, karate do, kihon ippon kumite, Martial Arts, movement skills, san dan ge, sanbon kumite