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Old 11-22-2013, 11:15 AM   #9
patrick de block
Dojo: Shikado - Kapellen
Location: Belgium
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 30
Belgium
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Re: Kata is too rigid and mechanical

I do Tomiki Aikido and also do Jodo. I agree with you. But ... (very Japanese, bery good, but ...)

You give the example of Hiki Otoshi in Jodo. How many times have you been corrected on the formal expression of the kata and not on the functional expression of it? You mention that there should be kuzushi. How many times have you seen the sword swept away and the guy holding it just keeps standing there. Bad timing? There's a lot of talking about kuzushi but that's mostly it. And those last words aren't even my own.

And, I'm not questioning your ability, absolutely not. But most of the time you are put in a straight jacket and if you can pretend to be free you're good.
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