Judo - Nage No Kata (eBook)

General Points

“A Kata should demonstrate both victory and defeat, where attack and defense are agreed in detail beforehand.”

Kyozu Mifune (10th Dan Kodokan)

What does Kata mean?

Kata generally means ‘the basic form’. In Judo and in the other martial arts, Kata means ‘practicing the basics’ or ‘practicing that which is traditional.’ While, on the one hand, in Randori (free fighting training) and in Shiai (competition) it is about carrying out and executing techniques in adverse situations, in Kata it is about carrying them out and executing them in ideal situations. Over the years, Judo techniques have been influenced and further developed by the competition scenario. The basis behind Kata is therefore to maintain the traditional and original form of the technique. Each Kata has its own theme. These can be throwing techniques, groundwork techniques, counter-throws or also self-defense techniques. Uke (the one being thrown) and Tori (the thrower) demonstrate the techniques flawlessly in a flowing, dynamic sequence of movements. Body posture, starting positions, sequence of steps, attack and defense are all as important as a good use of the area and the symmetry of movement. The Kata is greatly characterized by the calm and harmony exuding from its execution.

Overview of the Kata most used in today’s sport of Judo

• Nage-no Kata (Form of throwing)
• Katame-no-Kata (Form of groundwork and holding techniques)
• Gonosen-no-Kata (Form of counterattack throws)
• Kime-no-Kata (Form of decision)
• Goshin-Jutsu-no-Kata (Form of self-defense)
• Juno-Kata (Form of ‘softness’ and suppleness)
• Itsutsu-no-Kata (Form of the five ‘principles’ or forces of nature)
• Koshiki-no-Kata (Form of the old techniques)

The technical and mental principles of Judo are embraced in the Kata. Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) – the founder of today’s Judo – formulated two principles. All Judo techniques stem from these guiding principles.

1. “Sei-Ryoku-Zen-Yo” – the technical principle

   This calls for the “best possible use of the body and mental spirit” – often interpreted as “winning by giving in.” This means not only using physical strength but also by using a spiritual and mental outlook.

2. “Ji-Ta-Kyo-Ei” – the moral principle
   This principle can be interpreted as “mutual support for mutual advance and mutual well-being”. Here, the approach to life and coexistence is highlighted by the mutual support and understanding provided by people cooperating with each other. Judo contributes greatly to the development of the Judoka’s personality.

The perfect execution of a Kata should reflect the Judo principles formulated by Jigoro Kano.

The Nage-no-Kata

The Nage-no-Kata – the forms of throwing – covers the throwing techniques in Judo. They are divided into five groups each consisting of three throwing techniques. The 15 throwing techniques are done on both sides of the body. Generally, the right-sided technique is done first followed immediately afterwards by executing the left-sided version (with the exception of Uki-goshi). Between the individual groups it is required that a short pause be taken, during which Tori and Uke adjust their Judogi and prepare themselves mentally for the next group.

In the Nage-no-Kata, Tori and Uke should have the same technical abilities. Uke changes his attack method each time and forces Tori always to react in a different way. Tori breaks off his attack at first, but then moves immediately into the attack movements, following on with them or moving into a different direction. Uke always attacks in earnest, and Tori acts decisively and forcefully. Unnecessary movement should be avoided.

The throws should be executed perfectly and dynamically and the overall picture must exude calmness and harmony.

The Nage-no-Kata are, generally speaking, the first Kata that the Judoka has to learn. By learning them, in addition to the technical principles of the specific throws, he also learns the general rules such as the greeting, body posture, how to walk and move etc., that are also relevant for the other Kata.

Fifteen throwing techniques in five groups have to be demonstrated:

1st Group: Te-waza (Hand Techniques)

Uki-otoshi, Seoi-nage, Kata-guruma

2nd Group: Koshi-waza (Hip Throws)

Uki-goshi, Harai-goshi, Tsuri-komi-goshi

3rd Group: Ashi-waza (Leg and Foot Techniques)

Okuri-ashi-barai, Sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi, Uchi-mata

4th Group: Ma-sutemi-waza (‘Sacrificial Throws on the Back’ Techniques)

Tomoe-nage, Ura-nage, Sumi-gaeshi

5th Group: Yoko-sutemi-waza (‘Sacrificial Throws on the Side’ Techniques)

Yoko-gake, Yoko-guruma, Uki-waza

The Layout of the Mat

It is important before you start performing Kata that you familiarize yourself with the layout of the mat. Good use of the area and the symmetry of a performance are important criteria and play an important role in the judging of the impression made by a Kata performance.

In the following description, as in later detailed presentations of the throws, we use an 8 x 8 m large mat. This size permits ideal conditions for the Kata and should be the one used by the candidate for a Dan grading test.

With an 8 x 8m mat, the internal green area measures 6 x 6 m. This is surrounded by a border in red, bringing the total size up to 8 x 8 m. Serving as a safety zone, there must be at least one row of green mats.

The throw on Uke must always occur inside the red zone. For this reason, the starting position will vary for the various throwing techniques. In Kata championships, a foot on the red area of the mat during the execution of a throw is penalized by the deduction of a point. Regarding this aspect, the graders in a Dan test often overlook the deduction and do not always penalize this foul. Nevertheless, the candidate should always try to keep within this ruling. However, Uke may not be thrown so that he lands outside the red extremities of the mat, neither in the grading test nor in a competition.

If the mat is only 6 x 6 m, the red border can be used so that preparation and the appropriate throw can be made. In this case, Tori and Uke stand outside the red border to make their greetings.

On the other hand, when you have a 10 x 10 m mat and you are both the normal size, you may have problems with your orientation. In this case the greetings should take place inside the red border so that the same conditions are achieved as actions used with an 8 x 8 m mat.

Overview of the Layout of the Mat

Mat – size 8 x 8 m

Mat – size 10 x 10 m

Mat – size 6 x 6 m

Joseki

The performance of the Kata takes place on the Joseki side of the mat – the side of honor. In a Dan grading test the judges sit on this side. In a Kata championship the referees also sit on this side. If the Kata is being demonstrated to a particularly interested audience then they should be sat down also on this side. In order to establish the starting positions for Tori and Uke, the first thing is to decide on which side of the mat the Joseki is.

In carrying out the initial and final greeting, Tori stands on the right-hand side and Uke stands on the left-hand side when looking from the Joseki position. In the pauses between the individual groups of throws, both Tori and Uke have the opportunity to adjust their Judogi. Seen from the Joseki side, these positions are for Tori on the right-hand side and for Uke on the left-hand side.

If Tori and Uke have to move to get to the next starting position after having executed a throw, they are both required to turn so that they do not show their backs to the Joseki side. Where, however, it is unavoidable because of the requirements of the Judo movements then there can be short exceptional instances when they will have their backs to the Joseki side.

The starting position for a left-sided throw, as seen from the Joseki side, is always a mirror image of the right-sided throw and is on the opposite side of the mat. In order to move to the new starting position, Tori and Uke should use as few steps as possible and whenever possible move at the same time.

Prior to the start of a Kata performance, Tori and Uke stand behind the red border area on the opposite side of the mat to the Joseki side – Tori to the right and Uke to the left. They wait here until the referee or the judge gives a sign that they may begin their demonstration. They both lead off with their left foot and move towards the Joseki side, parallel to each other until they reach the Kata axis. With a mat size of 8 x 8 m, Tori and Uke move down the red-bordered area.

The Kata Axis

The Kata axis is a straight line parallel to the Joseki side and dissects the center of the mat. Preparatory steps for a throw are mainly taken along this axis. The actual throw takes place mainly at the center of the mat.

An exception to this is the Okuri-ashi-barai. This throw is the only throw that takes place on an axis at right angles to the normal Kata axis. This line also goes through the center of the mat. For a right-sided throw Tori and Uke move away from the Joseki side, while for a left-sided throw they move towards the Joseki side.

The positions for the start and final greeting as well as the position for adjusting the Judogi...