A comment on one of my recent articles stated; “I don’t believe in bunkai.”
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To comment that; “I don’t believe in bunkai” is an extraordinary thing to say. Someone who really doesn’t understand their martial arts. But unfortunately, they really believe in their statement. And this is all too common.
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What does “bunkai” (分解) mean? It means too, literally “analyze” or “disassemble”, referring to the process of analyzing kata and extracting fighting techniques and principles from the movements of the kata. The extracted fighting techniques are called “oyo”.
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The term “bunkai”, does not refer to a technique of any kind. It is a process of analysis, typically associated with taking something part. Oyo (again) is the application of that analysis. So, let’s get it right.
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If you are passionate about something, if you enjoy it at any level, which surely would be one of the reasons you practice the martial arts, wouldn’t you want to learn deeply and understand its history?….. Yes, of course you would. Then ask yourself the question….. why was kata created?
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It’s a simple question which really should not have to be asked. But because of so many misunderstandings, must be asked, again and again.
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We KNOW, the creators of the original art were all experienced fighting men who had used and relied upon their skills in real situations. They lived in violent times where the acquisition of fighting skills were a must if they wished to take care of themselves and their loved ones.
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What does that tell you? Would they have created something that didn’t work?….. NO, of course not. Why is this so difficult to acknowledge? EVERYTHING in traditional kata is meant to be applied to self-defense. Somehow over the generations, so many have lost their way, believing that they; “don’t believe in bunkai”.
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Kata today, has become so overly ritualized, the so-called effective learning methods have becoming wholly dysfunctional. The once highly functional art of self-protection has since evolved into a rule-bound competitive activity, with no relation to its original function.
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History tells us…… the combative drills, the two-man engagement practice came FIRST. Working backwards if you like, this is the “oyo” and “bunkai”. The solo representation, kata, being the mnemonic tool….. kata was never meant to be used as a standalone solo exercise. That’s a modern phenomenon. Bunkai and oyo, is important because it’s our number one link to karate’s functional origins….. Self-defense. 
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“Kata without bunkai is like a shamisen (3 string Okinawan guitar); Nice sound, but empty on the inside.” – Choki Motobu (1870-1944)
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