In this article you will gain insight into the decoding of the kata using bunkai rules from experts. It is assumed that the kata and their deeper application are encrypted and were only passed on by masters to trustworthy students. This secret knowledge has been modified in such a way that many movements do not reveal their effective application. This means that when I see a kata, I only recognize the obvious and not the deeper meaning or fighting strategy.

Karate bunkai refers to the analysis and application of techniques and movements in karate kata. Kata are predetermined sequences of movements used in karate training to teach basic techniques, strategies and principles. Bunkai literally means “dissection” or “analysis” and refers to the process of understanding the movements in a kata and recognizing their practical application in real combat situations.

Through bunkai, karateka learn how to effectively apply the techniques from the kata in self-defense situations. It helps to understand the deeper principles and concepts behind the movements, which are often not obvious when practicing only the kata itself. Bunkai can be practiced in a variety of ways, including partner drills where the techniques are applied in controlled sparring situations.

Chojun Miyagi

• Don’t let the embuse fool you.
• Defense techniques include the attack, attack techniques include the defense.
• There is only ever one opponent.
• Every movement has a meaning.
• The withdrawing hand always holds something.
• Use the shortest route to your attacker.
• Control the head and you control the opponent.
• There are no blocks in the kata.
• The kata shows the correct angle.
• Touching your own body means touching your opponent.
• Hard on soft and soft on hard.
• There are no pauses.

Bill Burgar

• Every movement in kata has a meaning.
• Kata applications are always against realistic attacks.
• There are always several applications for a kata movement.
• The applications are usually only against 1 opponent.
• There are no blocks in kata.
• Every kata movement is an attack on vital points (Kyusho).
• The withdrawing hand usually holds something (hikite).
• Large turns are mostly throws

George A. Dillman

• The kata must be interpreted against realistic attacks.
• The kata does not contain any blocking techniques.
• The kata is designed for practical applications throughout.
• The kata contains important information for the applications.
• The actual technique lies in the intermediate movement.
• There is more than one correct application for each movement.
• Each kata technique contains vital point attacks (Kyusho-Jitsu).

Lawrance Kane & Chris Wilder

• There are always several applications for a technique.
• Each technique must end the fight immediately.
• Strike to disrupt, disrupt to strike.
• Kyusho points are a bonus.
• Use the adrenaline flow.
• Maximum speed & power.
• It must work even with an uncooperative partner.
• 100% commitment – no half-hearted techniques.
• If you’re not there, you can’t get hit.
• Cross the T to escape.
• Stances are not only important for kata.
• Always use both hands.
• Leverage is not a primary fighting technique.

In Gichin Funakoshi’s book “Karate-do Kyohan”, as translated and edited by Tsutomo Ohshima, there are nine throws drawn from Shotokan kata.

Euro-Asian Gashuku-2012. Morio Higaonna Sensei (10 dan) demonstration.

Morio Higaonna

Morio Higaonna (born 1938) is a leading Okinawan Goju-ryu karate master and founder of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF). Trained from youth under Taketo Nakamura and later Eiichi Miyazato, Higaonna is known for intense kihon, powerful kata, practical bunkai, and rigorous conditioning. He popularized Goju-ryu worldwide through seminars, books, and instructional videos, emphasizing traditional Okinawan principles, discipline, and the unity of hard and soft techniques. Respected for his technical mastery and teaching, he influenced generations of practitioners and helped preserve classical Goju-ryu.