Kata were Insignificant in Historical Warring Japan w/ Raul Sanchez Garcia Combat Learning: Science for Better Martial Arts Training

Today I'm joined by Dr. Raul Sanchez Garcia, a sport science lecturer at the University Politécnica of Madrid, Spain, martial artist, and Ecological Dynamics thinker.

Most researchers in the ecological approach come from a psychology background. Dr. Garcia is unique in that he approaches Ecological Dynamics from the vantage point of ethnography, which is the systematic study of peoples and their cultures. In that vein, he wrote a fantastic social history on the development of Japanese martial arts.

In this episode, Dr. Garcia walks us through the historic significance of kata based on his research. Or rather, how it was not significant -- or at least not ubiquitous -- in the war-torn pre-restoration periods of Japan. Rather, it is only after war becomes a less common part of life that kata rises in popularity as a training tool.

Kata-heads will no doubt be scandalized at this revelation, as will traditionalists from other styles. But even if you're a non-traditional martial artist, this information will be interesting and useful for your own understanding of the current training landscape. This isn't just about kata: it's about any sort of rote training modality.
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