Karatedō

The foremost training element of every karate style is the kata.

Once a kata has been learned, it must be practiced repeatedly until it can be applied in an emergency, for knowledge of just the sequence of a kata in karate is useless.
There are nine kata in Kōburyū.

1. Sanchin
2. Kanshiwa
3. Dainiseisan
4. Kōbuken
5. Seichin
6. Seisan
7. Seiryū
8. Kanchin
9. Kōbu no Sanseiryū

In October, 2002, Kinjō Kaichō introduced a series of drills called taisabaki waza. Taisabaki is a martial arts term that means “defensive body movement.” Sometimes Kinjō Kaichō will say taisabaki gihō. Both waza and gihō mean techniques. Taisabaki waza are similar to hojoundō in that they are supporting exercises. However, the taisabaki waza are specifically designed to teach the movement style of Kōburyū. Proper taisabaki will not only move your body out of the way of an attack, but will also place you in a position from which the attack can be safely countered. 

A bunkai is a choreographed battle. It allows the practitioner to practice timing and distance. A bunkai can simulates the full battle as defined by a kata or it can be focused on one combination of moves. As the bunkai partners advance, the bunkai exchanges may approach an actual fighting situation. Of course, the practitioners must take care not to injure each other.

To be effective in a stressful situation, one’s techniques must become second nature. You don’t need to think. You just react. Of course, the key is lots of repetition, but repetition alone will not lead to success. The techniques themselves must be practical, accurately performed and adaptable to real life situations.

Sōke Kaichō Kinjō has presented at least one bunkai for every kata combination – sometimes several! He encourages us to not just copy his ideas, but to develop our own ideas.