Shadow Kumite (影 戦 - shadow fight) [影の戦い Kage no tatakai]

What is it? I just gave a name to kata and the use of imagery/visualization. The only additive is that when I say kata I am talking about the individual or combination of technique taught by kata.

I believe wholeheartedly that to truly practice, train and "use" karate or any martial art for that matter that one must actually use karate. I know that many think that the boxing techniques that use kicks, kick boxing, are karate but in reality to my view it is not. The one or two simple sets of combinations used in karate tournament kumite contests may actually appear to be karate oriented techniques but are very limited and restricted by the contest and its rules.

I am not insinuating that the technique in kata has to be "exactly" that with its bunkai in shadow kumite or any other reality type training but you should be able to see the karate in it and it should not be dogmatically restricted to the bunkai - bunkai is fluid ya know.

So, shadow kumite is taking karate techniques and using the art of imagery/visualization to fight shadow opponents, threats or predators. Nothing new either because you will find this type of training spoken of in many other martial systems but just not called, "Shadow Kumite." [think shadow boxing to get you off the start line :-]