The Cover of Five Years One Kata

Book Reviews: Five Years One Kata: putting kata back at the heart of karate

Author: Bill Burgar

Reviewer: James Lawrence

Date: May, 2004

Anyone who has been training in karate for any length of time has heard that in times gone by, karateka focussed on just one kata for several years, or even a lifetime. This might seem tedious to someone whose image of kata is exclusively one of performance. When such a person hears that Funakoshi Sensei practiced Tekki for nine years, he is more likely to conclude that the master must have had a high boredom threshold, rather than intuiting that there must be much more to this little kata than meets the eye.

However, if your interest is in what the kata means and how it can be applied in real combat, then the detailed study of a single kata is an approach that can provide rich rewards. Bill Burgar is a karateka who has diligently pursued this quest. He has withdrawn from normal dojo training, instead training intensively and regularly with a selection of advanced training partners. During this period, he exclusively studied the kata Gojushiho (Useishi), and used it to create a "detailed self-defence training regimen" (Introduction, p25). This book is the result of that journey. It is no diary, however, but is aimed at giving you the knowledge to recreate that path for yourself.

The book is divided into four sections: the first part discusses the theory that is needed to get the most out of single kata study and the second is a detailed movement-by-movement analysis of Gojushiho. The third section is aimed at those readers who wish to perform their own single kata study, containing useful advice to get you started on this path. The final section, "Where to from here?", introduces the reader to the Burgar Kata Hypothesis, and also contains an exceptionally extensive bibliography.

The first part of the book is so in depth that I could not possibly do justice to each topic covered. Even to list the chapter headings would exceed the limited space I have available. I have to content myself with briefly listing the subject areas covered, and emphasise that each area is thoroughly explored:

• History and background on the evolution and original purpose of kata. His probability theory: the attack scenarios are most likely to be encountered guide the practitioner as to what to practice for.
• Effective visualisation - an essential part of kata practice. How the psychology of confrontation and probability theory influences habit - how to build habits which work in our favour during confrontation.
• Where to find and how to use vital points.
• An excellent discussion of the understanding of Bunkai and Oyo through different periods in Karate's history, entitled "The Bunkai Myth" is very illuminating; how we ended up with so many dud bunkai.
• An entire chapter devoted to the knowledge required in reverse engineering a kata effectively. This is probably one of the most useful sections (to me - I have a feeling I will be referring to this book for years to come). A few examples of subjects covered in this section are: "change the range", "both hands are always in use", "change the position of the assailant", "a block is a strike", to name just a few.
• As if that is not enough, the final chapter of this section, on measuring bunkai/oyo effectiveness, makes the book worth the purchase price on its own. It carefully analyses the prerequisites of a good bunkai, and includes subjects like: is it simple, is it proactive, does it unbalance/lead the mind of the opponent, maximise your safety, and so on. This list of prerequisites becomes the basis for analysing each bunkai/oyo in section 2.

The second part of the book is a close analysis of Gojushiho. In this context, performance of the kata becomes only the skeleton, and a miniscule part of training - the entire focus is on practicing the self-defence techniques contained within that kata against habitual acts of violence. (I.e Bunkai, Oyo and Henka waza). He evaluates each bunkai in terms of a checklist of questions, the rationale behind each of which is discussed in detail in the final chapter of Section 1. If Gojushiho or Useishi is part of your system you will find this section very useful, as every movement discussed (with the aid of clear step-by-step B&W photos) is practical and obiously relevant to self-defence. Even if it does not form part of your syllabus, you are likely to receive many insights into the kata you do know.

Section 3 and 4 are quite short in comparison to the rest of the book, but are nevertheless packed with insight. They take the reader on to the next stage if they wish to pursue a path of single kata study. Even if you are not convinced enough to pursue this path (yet), the first two sections will break your thinking out of the box, and enrich your study of the kata you do know. The extensive bibliography is a delight, and is sure to give you a good few titles to put on your Christmas wish list (and possibly more than a few for the "buy immediately" category).

To sum up, I've saved the best for last: Rick Clark, Patrick McCarthy and Vince Morris have all written forewords to the book. They are all very positive.

Rick Clark says "...this book adds to the body of knowledge in the study of Karate. Bill Burgar has become one of those rare individuals who go before and then lay down a path for others to follow." (p19).

Pactrick McCarthy asserts that he is "...convinced that Five Years One Kata may well be the best book on kata I have ever read. Based on its insightful messages (it) is certain to become a timeless classic valued for generations to come..." (p20).

Vince Morris opines that "...Bill has laid before the reader a paradigm for both practice and understanding which should be studied carefully", and concludes that "No martial artist serious about gaining a true understanding of kata should miss this work." (p21).

I can only echo and enthusiastically endorse the sentiments of these eminent martial artists. This book is packed with information that you need to know, and is richly illustrated with relevant photographs. Get it now!!!

ISBN: 0-9544466-0-7

Published by Martial Arts Publishing Limited
www.MartialArtsPublishing.co.uk
email: enquiries@MartialArtsPublishing.co.uk

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This page is Copyright © 2004 Mark Groenewold

This review is Copyright ©2004 by the author