Kumite Gata

I have decided to break out a new page for Kumite Gata of Wado Ryu Karate. There is much debate about the kumite gata as practised within the Wado Ryu Renmei organisation are closed to the 'original' set submitted to the Butokukai when Wado Ryu was first registered. To be honest, I don't know and won't spend any time contemplating that here.

People have debated whether there is any need for the kumite gata as all the principles should be contained in the kihon kumite and kata in general. My own personal opinion is that the kumite gata provide something slightly different in terms of movement. They give more opportunity to work on irimi and maintain continuous control of the opponent. There is also a variation of timings, applications of leg traps and arm pins for instance.

As to whether the Kumite Gata are the jewels in the crown, that is up to you.