Now where deffinately getting to philosophy , Im a Shotokan practioner so from my interpratation less is more , no waste of motion , no excess effort yet generating maximum power , no double movements etc , this is what I strive for in kata .
I guess my ideal of kata leans towards conformity and traditionalisim , two things i dont consider myself , but more and more i see kata as a seperate entity , not Bunkai not basics , but a constant struggle and search , I dont profess any great knowledge of eastern philosophy, but an unobtainable goal has appeal to me .
I believe there is perfect kata , just that we are not able to acheive it , believe it or not where all flawed , The ideal may only be in my mind that doesnt mean it does not exist .
Interpretation , style , change , they are constantly evolving but the ideal does not , effortless , seamless , power , fluidity and focus , I no longer strive for a mindset in Kata , I simply try to let me be me .
The perfect one thing you perfect everything is a bit tounge in cheek , to me it really means if it was possible to perfect one thing then everything could be perfect , I know this is not a reality but its a worthy aspiration .
To perform a kata as completely simply and well , to do it without conflict and just express myself , to cut away the excess and just be the kata , this to me is a form of pure self exspression , the individual makes the kata , not the kata the individual .
As for the perfect kata ive not seen it , a couple of times ive been lucky enough to see beautiful kata (and i mean spiritual moving kata ) , this is to me the art part of my martial arts .
Hard to communicate this clearly but im still glad i tried , happy training all
Stryke
[This message has been edited by Stryke (edited January 05, 2002).]
