How often in the last fifty to one hundred years has bunkai or technique been discarded, dismissed or forgotten simply because of the transition of budo from combative to stylistic interest in posture and purity of technique often developed on smooth floors of the training hall or dojo?
How many of today's bunkai are a direct result of this "smooth floor" syndrome. Is one's ability to protect and defend not hindered by a lack of reality based training conducted in the actual environments where it is needed most? Do the martial artists of smooth floors and bare feet understand and acknowledge this disparity?
In karate of Okinawa practice and training were not conducted indoors, in dojo with smooth floors but rather outdoors in the natural Okinawan environment of villages, etc. The style of "stepping" that is smooth and remains in tender contact with the smooth floor will not be adequate if the terrain you encounter an attacker or opponent is uneven, unstable or broken ground with debris all over of varying consistencies from sharp to hard blunt.
How many techniques are thrown out that are effective in combat and replace with others that are inappropriate to combat and appropriate for sport, often on smooth gymnasium floors, etc.?
How often do you ask yourself these questions when seeking, learning or practicing self defense systems? Fighting is never governed by rules and fighting terrain is never even, consistent or smooth.
Is it possible as well the reasoning behind the lost art of kata is due to a lack of understanding of them in regards to combat in lieu of what is perceived as required for competitions?
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