I meant that it is highly unlikely that kata in general in it's original creation was never intended to represent combat in any way.
I fully agree that there are individual 'kata', such as what is performed by XMA artists for example, which no longer represent actual combat, and where the performer is unlikely to be even imagining any opponents.
But to my mind at least, this is no longer 'kata', and has strayed from what could legitimately be described as kata to a mere dance or gymnastic routine or display. By my understanding of the term, it is a defining criterion of kata that it be at least intended in the practitioner's mind as a representation of some kind of combat.
If there are respected masters who disagree, they are welcome to do so. They can go practice their animal frolics and pelvis thrusts.
This might be a good point to end this derail, and let the thread return to its comedic origins.
I fully agree that there are individual 'kata', such as what is performed by XMA artists for example, which no longer represent actual combat, and where the performer is unlikely to be even imagining any opponents.
But to my mind at least, this is no longer 'kata', and has strayed from what could legitimately be described as kata to a mere dance or gymnastic routine or display. By my understanding of the term, it is a defining criterion of kata that it be at least intended in the practitioner's mind as a representation of some kind of combat.
If there are respected masters who disagree, they are welcome to do so. They can go practice their animal frolics and pelvis thrusts.
This might be a good point to end this derail, and let the thread return to its comedic origins.
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