Back from our hiatus, we have fellow senior instructor for Ko-do Ryu, Kev joining us.

In this episode we talk about the recent release of Nathan's, 'The Great Karate Myth'. First published in 2006 and causing controversy over its claims, we find it is still controversial nearly 20 years later.

We answer the burning question, "Where's the Evidence!?"

Karate has evolved from its classical roots to the modern sport we know today. In the past, Kata was central to Karate and practitioners would repeat forms over and over again without much attention to their function.

However as Karate spread and sparring was introduced, Kata took a backseat. Early founders aimed to conform to the existing ideas of Kendo, a modern form of Japanese swordsmanship. Despite this, some influential figures in Karate did not favour competitive or free sparring.

Antique Kata like Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseiru and Naihanchin date back to the 14th century and came from China. The origins of Okinawan Karate Kata can be traced back to late 17th century, a period of time when Europeans were colonising the Americas, but the styles weren't named until later on, and some kata were associated with the Okinawan palace and its guards. Karate didn't gain serious momentum until after World War II.

In this episode we're diving deep into the fascinating transformation of Karate, from its perceived classical roots to the dynamic styles practiced today. We'll explore Karate's hidden history from its functional roots to the classical styles emerged later, and ultimately how it transformed into the modern sport we know today.

The phrase "function dictates form" is a variation of the design principle "form follows function." This principle of architectural design emphasises that the way something looks should be determined by its use rather than aesthetic considerations.

In a broader sense, "function dictates form" means that the design of an object or system should be based upon its intended function or purpose. For example, the thin flap of your eyelid is designed to snap down quickly to clear away dust particles and then slide back up almost instantaneously to allow you to see again, illustrating how its structure is directly related to its function.

This concept can be applied to various fields, from architecture to biology, indicating that the form of something is optimised for the function it is supposed to perform. It's a principle that encourages efficiency and practicality in design.

In this episode we discuss how this principle was used to determine the most plausible, functional essence of karate kata.

Blog: Kodoryu Karate and Kobudo