Volume 1, Issue 1

Kata Unlimited

May 2003

Warm Welcome from the Editor

Inside this issue: Welcome to the inaugural issue of Unlimited, the monthly newsletter created with the traditionally oriented martial artist in mind. Kata Pinan 3 Nidan - Iain This is a really exciting new venture, covering an area of which has had little exposure, yet a Abernethy growing interest.

Going With 7 So, you might be wondering, 'What on earth is this all about?' Well, firstly and foremostly, its about The Flow - providing relevant and practical information that I hope will inform our practice. That information will by Simon come from the study of kata, by examining what's contained within them. Over the coming months, Keegan we'll be discussing basic and advanced kata alike, from many styles of martial arts. The possibilities are endless, and this newsletter is a forum to discuss, analyse and learn. The contents of Kata Unlimited will An Interview 8 with Kirby Watson

Kata Heian 13 Shodan - Steve Lowe

Hanshi No 18 Iinki Seminar 2003

Special points of interest:

• Kirby Watson shares his views about the nature and purpose of kata.

• Shotokan’s first kata verses Wado ryu’s Iain Abernethy performing an applica- largely be from you, the reader. There will be in depth second - perspec- tion from Pinan Nidan Kata articles from both prominent writers and those who tives. haven't written publicly before (possibly you!). Step by step coverage and exposition of kata in photos, with explanations from the featured practitioners, which • The beginning of the resource directory. could also be you.

• Introducing Simon You will find a growing directory of places to train around the UK, which is a port of call for those Keegan, with the looking to train in more traditional or practical ways. Included is a letters page, for you to have your say first of many arti- about anything of relevance to kata, or articles in the newsletter. cles. Kata Unlimited Page 2

Warm Welcome From the Editor (Continued from Page 1)

What you won't find will be any reference to sport oriented martial arts, and before I get a shed full of letters, I will say this now. This newsletter has no interest in competitions in martial arts. This is not a prejudiced stance, rather the attitude is taken that sport based martial arts has at its base, a fundamentally different approach to its training and application than does the traditional and classical arts. As editor, I will not promote criticism of it, or anything else. (Constructive criticism however, is a different matter).

In order for this publication to succeed, we need your help. Whether you are a senior representative of your art, a student, or someone with a general interest, we would like to hear from you. Your comments, letters and articles would be very welcome.

If you know of a club or organisation that trains with kata as its fundamental base, then please contact the editor.

If you are a senior practitioner and you feel that you would like to contribute an article, interview or photo session, then again, please contact the editor.

Finally, a note about one purpose of this publication. I (Ed.) state my own belief that there is a continued "westernisation" of the martial arts, which has both benefits and detriments. I believe that one of those detriments is to ignore, or place lesser emphasis on kata within martial arts training. The absence of this form of training serves to dilute the core of the arts. If this continues, there is a grave possibility that in another 50 to 100 years, many of the classical arts will die out (as many already have) and the more widespread arts like and could change beyond all recognition. This would be a huge loss, as the Chinese and Japanese have spent many hundreds of years perf