Approaching this subject I have chosen to view Hookiyu 1 and 2, Gekesai 1,2, and 3, Gekiha 1 and 2, Kakuha 1 and 2 all as part of the same set of strategic principles with an emphasis toward variation within those principles.
Basically they are all the same Kata, they are not meant to be separate, but progressions. Originally created as a means of Physical Education for Okinawan School Kids, they are simple in what they have to present as far as lessons, yet not completely devoid of what makes Karate effective as a means of self-defense.
Toguchi Sensei built upon the groundwork started by Miyagi Chojun Sensei by creating additional Kata in progression, which is the beauty of the approach he passed on to those of us that study these, yet they were meant as an introduction to principles, not as a means themselves.
Kris Wilder Sensei once explained to me that these Kata were like the first steps in writing basic alphabet and grammar while the Koryugata were more along the lines of cursive. Perhaps that is true, but maybe a more apt view would be as learning the rules of mathematics, then applying the rudimentary skills, then moving on to algebra with a good base in fundamentals.
The take away I have from this, while I continue my deep dive, is that there are really only a few base movements in Karate, a few base principles, these principles are worked differently or varied depending on the problem presented.
It is not merely X does Y so you should respond with Z, it is in Z itself taking different forms within a sentence structure in order to formulate a word.
The basic movement of Jodan Uke is not fundamentally different from a Hammerfist strike, the context changes certain things, but the fundamentals of the movement remain the same.
Open hand versus Closed Fist is not a matter of Advanced versus Intermediate either, the principles remain the same, the only difference is the context, which will require one or the other, nothing more.
Ultimately there are sweeping principles, swinging principles, clearing principles, striking principles, projecting principles, sensing principles, positioning and timing principles, and control/neutralizing principles.
This list may change, but this is what I have found for myself in this deep dive and I feel these do not fundamentally differ from Kata to Kata, they are the same things applied in different ways.
These first Kata show us aggressive advancement into near clinch range in order to flank and neutralize, sometimes with simple projections.
The feet are involved as weapons throughout as well as the upper body, including the head and torso. The main point being continuous aggressive movement attacking from all levels systematically utilizing sweeping, striking, sensing, locking, clearing, Timing, positioning, ect.
All are present in their most rudimentary form.
Each aspect can be isolated and trained, indeed, months, even years can be spent working each aspect of strategic principles to proficiency, but months and years are not necessary for effective application right away so long as one does not get caught up in the ‘preservation of Tradition’ mindset and work from a strictly technique or form oriented approach.
Each in this series of Kata are meant to cover differing variations of the same problems, albeit the variations are meant to maintain the upper hand based on the many ways an opponent/assailant will react, though not exhaustive.
Another key point would be mindset, quite likely the key most principle, aggressively getting ahead of the curve and stealing the initiative in order to put the opponent/assailant on the defensive.
This is a brief introduction and I will go in more depth later. I will cover each principle I have mentioned with further explanation based on what Kata presents us.
A key to remember is that the Kata are the culmination of lessons that should be learned, they are a tool to give us some direction, but are not the means or even the end and as new lessons are learned perhaps new Kata should be created to illustrate what may not have been previously taken into account.
More to follow.
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