It is my belief that Kata is nothing more than a drill, and what is as much important as the sequence of the Kata, is the study of the Bunkai and Oyo of the Kata.

These days however, there is an element of a'Square Peg - Round Hole' argument regarding Bunkai.

Remember, the literal translation for Bunkai is to 'Break-Down', and Oyo is the practical application of that break down.

I also blame the way that Karate Kata study has been rolled out over the last 50 years or so.

I remember back in the 1970's a particular instructor teaching Kata as though it (the Kata) was a literal sequence of events in an actual fight, whereas right from the word go, I've always been taught that Kata is simply (and perhaps overly so), a drilling tool to teach techniques and transitions.

Think of it as a jigsaw. A technique or sequence from Kurarunfa could slide into another technique or sequence from Suparimpei or Sanseiru.

I remember being told by a particular JKA Sensei in Scotland that a particular sequence in Wanshu/Enpi was catching a Bo and the jump (or skip, depending on Ryu-ha) was grabbing the caught Bo, and throwing the person holding the Bo at the other end.

Now when shown at breadown speed, and with compliance, that explanation seems plausable....But, at full speed, the physics of what has been described are impossible, and would result in great injury to the Bo 'catcher'.

What I always say is, look at the technique or sequence; look at what has come before, and what follows directly after. I believe that a lot of what is taught as Bunkai is reverse engineered tosh and nonsense.

Look at my previous example regarding the catching a Bo application for Wanshu/Enpi, and believe me, I've also heard some corkers for Kata such as Sienchin, and Kurarunfa as well.

As has been pointed out, Bunkai translates as 'To break down'; however what has happened over the last 50 years is that certain Ryu-ha have created 'fixed' Bunkai to Kata, and have even went as far as to only grade people if they parrot mimic what has been effectively handed to them on a plate.

In my opinion that isn't studying Karate, it's playing at Karate.

People now see that a lot of 'official' Bunkai is tosh, but because they have been herded like sheep in the past, rather than investigate and study the Kata applications and possibilities for themselves, they would rather that 'new' Bunkai was handed to them on a plate.

If your application does not sound practical or plausable, then I would say that it's a good bet that your application won't work.This is what I have been led to believe is the study of Oyo.

It is my personal belief that the study and reliance of 'fixed' Bunkai is lazy, and shows a degree of ignorance in your subject matter.

Fixed Kata Bunkai isn't nonsense, it's bunkum... [obviously!]

I agree with the fixed bunkai thing, I got told the same bunkai by my shotokan club over and over again. When I got to Shukokai their bunkai for Pinan Sandan rarely matched the shotokan explaination. I am regularly reminded that "if it works, its possible and fits with the kata then its probably correct"

I see kata as a good way of training technique, stances etc. but the application to me is open to interpretation. It should never be fixed. once something becomes fixed it becomes immovable and so does not develop.

These principals can be initially practiced with ippon kumite then furthered to ohyo kumite until it becomes jiyu kumite (not points fighting, but 'free' fighting). Interpretation is the key.

Take the opening sequence to pinan sandan, this can be interpreted in many ways. Turning to the side with an outer block could be doing a number of things, a strike to the head/elbow or it could be trying to remove a grab on the shoulder/lapel or it could be blocking a single punch/kick (whether from a trained or untrained opponent)... you get my point.

There is three interpretations of one technique, each with a different emphasis and context for the initial movement.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't bunkai fit nicely into the "Shu-Ha-Ri" principal? In that you learn the kata, your sensei shows you some simple application, then you further your own study, refine techniques etc. until you have a multi-purpose for techniques.