Preface to 3RD Edition

The Sword kata of Kime no Kata, 2010

Kime no Kata: the present importance of some traditional principles. The Sword kata of Kime no Kata.

Kata – The true essence of Budo martial arts?, 2016

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

2025

**Abstract** Kime-no-kata bridges traditional jujutsu and modern judo, preserving the combat effectiveness of classical techniques while embodying Jigoro Kano’s principles of *seiryoku zenyo* (maximum efficiency) and *jita kyoei* (mutual benefit). This kata showcases practical self-defense applications alongside philosophical ideals, blending martial efficacy with ethical development. By maintaining the essence of jujutsu and adapting it to judo’s educational framework, Kime-no-kata serves as a living link between past and present, exemplifying Kano’s vision of a martial art that fosters personal growth and societal harmony.

Zen is greatly misunderstood. In this paper I break it down, give the reader the context, and show him how to elevate his martial arts...and himself as a person.

2009

Koans fi-Ιξ have fascinated audiences and perplexed scholars outside Asia for nearly a century, especially since D. T. Suzuki popularized Zen Buddhism. The numerous explana­ tions in popular accounts and historical surveys of Zen, the dozens of philosophical and psychological interpretations and handful of historical investigations in scholarly journals and anthologies, and the nearly countless commentaries in publications directed at practitioners, have neither diminished the intrigue nor settled the matter of their meaning. The books under review augment a fresh wave of scholarship in English on this rather unique genre of literature and mode of Buddhist practice. The Köan compiles eleven previously unpublished articles by experts in the field of Ch'an or Zen studies. As the editors' Introduction makes clear, the articles deliberately avoid a focus on the psychological or mystical aspects, and critique the tradition's own selfnarrative, which includes the conceit that ...

2015

This paper is intended to make the philosophy of kendo clear on two themes: the first is about martial arts, which were originally a culture of destruction—one that specifically denied the lives of others for the sake of one’s survival—and which were thus developed as techniques to kill and maim others, and which then became a measure to educate people to realize the importance of living together and one that has since been developed as a culture of creation; the second is about when and by whom battle techniques were converted into an apparatus to promote awareness of life. Author present theme from the viewpoint of body-and-mind relations, namely the philosophy of setsunintou (sword to kill people) and katsuninken (sword to restore people to life)—one of concepts in Zen, that was introduced into swordsmanship. The philosophy changed swordsmanship from killing techniques into techniques to restore and foster people. To consider the issue, author focus on the relationship among mili...

Archives of Budo, 2009

Background In recent years, gō-no-kata ("Prearranged forms of correct use of force"), a generally considered obsolete and reclusive 'tenth' kata of Kōdokan jūdō, has become the subject of some renewed interest within jūdō circles. Most information on gō-no-kata, as available in the West, is ambiguous and often even blatantly erroneous. The purpose of the present paper is to remove the confusion and mystery which surrounds the gō-no-kata. Material/Methods: To achieve this, we offer a careful critical analysis of the available literature and rare source material on this kata. Results: Gō-no-kata is not, nor in any form has it ever been a kata of blows. Its aim was to serve as an intense fitness exercise and to examine and illustrate the basic principle of efficient use of force and resistance. Original comments provided by Kanō-shihan, show beyond any doubt that the gō-no-kata was, and is, a special and never completed set of ten exercises for two people. Kanō-shihan's own writings indicate that he was not entirely satisfied with some elements of the gō-no-kata and therefore abandoned, or at least, delayed its development. Kanō-shihan passed away before having been able to rework, revise or expand the gō-no-kata. Conclusions: Gō-no-kata, must be considered an unfinished exercise created by Jigorō Kanō-shihan. Kanō-shihan, however, never rejected the kata or its practice; it would be overstating the case to suggest otherwise.

Ido Movement for Culture : journal of martial arts anthropology : theory of culture, psychophysical culture, cultural tourism, anthropology of martial arts, combat sports, 2012

A new interesting and valuable book has been published, which the author of this article, next to Prof. Trzcinski, has contibuted to as the author of the editorial review. The reviewed study is the aftermath of the doctoral dissertation and its fragments were earlier consulted with the author of this text, which, however, does not change the originality of author’s theses and his responsibility for them. The author of the book is a person who has devoted most of his life to ways of martial arts. He successfully implements the shūgyō method basic for the humanistic studies in this field. Practical achievements in karatedō are confirmed by his high master rank – 8 dan. This knowledge and and rich experience fill pages of his book. This is an authentic ”martial way (budō) and a way of science” worthy past samurai and karate masters. And this may be the greatest value of the reviewed book that is the knowledge based on long experience and serious studies of martial arts [cf.: Cynarski 2...

Lexia nn. 29-30 Intenzionalità/Intentionality, 2019

The aim of this paper is exploring how the kata of Shotokan karate constitute an embodied intentionality. Kata, a traditional way of training in karate for more than a century, consists in fighting without the presence of a real opponent. The article enquires about the origin of its meaning and the way in which its intentionality is expressed. Kata can be considered a narrative text that tells the story of a fight while mimicking it in such a way that every pre–established technique bears a specific meaning. Kata involve time and space because they reflect a predetermined set of sequential techniques that realize the intentionality and meaningfulness of a karateka’s practice. During the practice of kata, the karateka’s bodily attitude, both sensible and sentient, is expressed through fine–tuning aimed at establishing a causal relationship with an external, imaginary being, so that intentionality takes on the reflexive knowledge of the body. Intentionality affects form and strength, gestures and postures, incarnating a combative logic behind each of these elements. It is a sort of order of consciousness regarding mind and body, entailing active participation and involvement. It is a reflexive and discursive consciousness that requires knowledge and interiorization of the techniques that are embodied by the karateka and memorized in his/her mind. When performing kata, the karateka masters the consequences of the techniques because he/she appears as the intentional agent of the action that makes the ideal fighting something that can be accepted and understood or acknowledged. The paper points out that the kata’s intentionality concerns both creation of meaning by the observer—who can reconstruct the fighting between two opponents — and the original purposes of the master.

Analysis of Shu Ha Ri in Karate-do, 2025

Foreword to the book: Hermann Bayer: Analysis of SHU HA RI in KARATE-DO. When a Fighting Art Becomes a Fine Art. YMAA Publ. Center 2025