Kata – The true essence of Budo martial arts?

Abstract

<p class="BodyA">This paper uses documentary research techniques to analyse the use of <em>kata, </em>forms, in the Japanese martial arts. Following an introduction on the existence of <em>kata </em>practice, using existing sources of information the paper first examines the spiritual developments of <em>bushido, </em>secondly, the social changes that led to the redevelopment of <em>bujutsu </em>into <em>budo </em>is scrutinsised. Next, the position of <em>kata </em>in relation to <em>budo </em>martial arts is explored followed by a discussion on the use of <em>kata</em> as a pedagogy. Finally, <em>kata </em>is repositioned in light of the contextual expansion investigated demonstrating how <em>kata </em>could represent the intended essence of <em>budo </em>as well a culturally-valued, spiritual pedagogy.</p>