Antiquity in the Martial Arts

This is an essay for the removal of forms ("kata" in Japanese) from the martial arts.

At the outset, I'd like to make clear that I do not think we will see this happen in my lifetime, but that does not mean we shouldn't push for it.

Origins:
Originally, kata were the root of all forms in the martial arts we see today, with the exception of a very few Chinese arts, which actually served as the inspiration for kata. Kata were developed in Okinawa. The majority of kata were developed within the last 120 years or so. There is only anecdotal evidence of any kata being developed or created more than 150 years ago.

Purpose:
During the development of most of the major kata that have been preserved to this day, there were several major causes for the development. In Okinawa and Japan at the time, martial arts practice was forbidden by law. Japan had just endured its version of a civil war, and in an attempt to quell insurgencies, banned the wearing of weapons, the practice of martial arts, and the wearing of the Samurai topknot - among other things.

Since people have always wanted to learn martial arts, they found ways to learn in private meetings. Usually these were held in secret - often in a back yard surrounded by fences. Keen instructors realized that with limited student bases, and with the government trying to find and out their practice, it would be wise to disguise the training. At the time, local folk dances were not prohibited. Folk dance was, in fact, promoted.

These keen instructors - likely Itosu and Asato (the instructors of Gichin Funakoshi) - collaborated and disguised the movements of karate into what we now know as kata. The movements were patterned, and often had a mirror quality - being performed the same way to each side, as well as ending near the same point as they started.

Needs of the time:
Since martial arts were not legal to practice, and were therefore forced "underground" as it were, two major problems were solved by the invention of kata.

First, many people could study under one instructor. The instructor could stay in a location for a while, teaching a catalog of basics, and reinforcing these with kata to be studied. Then the instructor could travel to another location and do the same. By the time he got back around to the first set of students, they would have mastered the basics, and he could then teach more advanced movements, and a new kata. Then he made the circuit again.

This allowed one instructor to teach many students in many areas. It also allowed for a uniform set of instructions. It also allowed for local diversity - the arts of Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te. Originally, each of these arts only had a few kata. As time progressed, they added more.

Effect:
What had happened was essentially the same as modern studies that take place - the important details were noted and cataloged. These days, we catalog with pen and paper, or via electronic file. Older things that are worthy of note are placed in museums. Kata should be, too, as it is a karate museum.

These days, to learn effective martial arts moves, we have videos and many live instructors. The advent of television and the internet has replaced the need to catalog via kata. Plus, it is not illegal to practice martial arts in the United States - or most countries for that fact.

Since kata was originally designed to fill the purpose of a museum,  I suggest we now retire kata to the museum. We have the footage of the masters of old doing kata. There is no need for more. Besides, we have far more modern and effective methods of teaching karate, and other martial arts.

Exception:
There are some arts, like Iaido and Aikido, that are museums in and of themselves. These arts should retain their kata. Here's why I suggest these two arts retain their practice of kata:

Aikido is an art based around an armored samurai, who has been disarmed, using techniques to defeat enemy combatants armed with swords or maybe a staff. This limited number of techniques, limited in application, yield an art that is essentially comprised of kata alone. Yes, I am aware that Aikido claims not to have kata, but their techniques are so limited in scope, application, and practice that the entire art is essentially five large kata, with eight additional throws added in for "flavor."

Iaido is an antiquated art - for the same reasons as Aikido. Iaido was the Samurai art of swordsmanship. Since swords are no longer used in battle, the practical aspect of this art is almost never referred to. Aikido should man up and admit the same.

Conclusion:
In case you haven't figured it out, I think we should antiquate kata formally. Forms competitions are fine. But no longer should we pretend that kata will yield to more advanced combat applications. That is akin to suggesting that we should consult scientific literature from the 1700's for modern reference and learning.

However, practicing antiquated ways, for the purpose of enjoyment, is reason enough to do whatever it is that you want to do. Just don't deceive yourself into thinking kata will be of any practical application.