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Bunkai-Jutsu : The Practical Application of Karate Kata
This manual on Bunkai-Jutsu covers topics including: understanding Kata and Bunkai; the role of grappling in self defence; close range strikes; throws and takedowns; ground fighting; chokes and strangles; arm bars; leg and ankle locks; neck wrenches; finger locks; wrist locks; and fighting dirty.
- GenresMartial Arts
Paperback
First published August 5, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 20, 2015
If you practise karate at all, of any style then you need to purchase this book. It really is quite that simple. Describing it as revolutionary is not an overstatement in today's world of sporting karate.
If you were to think that karate was only, or even mainly what you see in the competition ring you'd be wrong, it isn't just punches and kicks and blocks. Bunkai Jutsu will help open up the underlying meaning which is built into karate kata. Abernethy makes it quite clear that karate kata are in fact the physical libraries of self defence techniques and fighting principles that make up true karate.
What made karate so strong originally was the Okinawan habit of incorporating anything that worked into their system of self defence. That means that karate originators included throws, joint locks, strangles, chokes, take downs, eye gouges, fish hooks among others into their training and included them into their kata. It's all still there in the kata you perform, whether you use it or not.
Even if you already practise bunkai on your kata you will find this book useful, Abernethy elucidates a consistent and clear set of rules and principles to help extract and explain hidden meanings and suggests process to train the resulting techniques for effective application.
If you were to think that karate was only, or even mainly what you see in the competition ring you'd be wrong, it isn't just punches and kicks and blocks. Bunkai Jutsu will help open up the underlying meaning which is built into karate kata. Abernethy makes it quite clear that karate kata are in fact the physical libraries of self defence techniques and fighting principles that make up true karate.
What made karate so strong originally was the Okinawan habit of incorporating anything that worked into their system of self defence. That means that karate originators included throws, joint locks, strangles, chokes, take downs, eye gouges, fish hooks among others into their training and included them into their kata. It's all still there in the kata you perform, whether you use it or not.
Even if you already practise bunkai on your kata you will find this book useful, Abernethy elucidates a consistent and clear set of rules and principles to help extract and explain hidden meanings and suggests process to train the resulting techniques for effective application.
July 20, 2023
Excellent book for any karateka interested in self defence and the purpose of every single aspect of the kata they practice. Of use to any karate style.
The book gives a detailed historical context for both the origins of kata and their evolution into the abstract forms we know today. Comparisons are highlighted between the difference in nature of sport violence and ‘street’ violence, and how the actions taken differ.
The various actions are categorised, such as striking, grappling, and joint locks, as well as which parts of the body are targeted. The more distinctly ‘karate’ actions, stances and so-called blocks, are interpreted in the context of realistic self defense techniques. Finally some recommendations are given for training kata and sparring to make these moves muscle memory.
Throughout, various kata are sampled through the use of clear photos. Mini sequences of positions show how the kata moves look when they are applied to an opponent. These are obviously still a bit too polished in comparison to real violence but their purpose is to illustrate principles that can then be practised in sparring.
The book does not serve as an all encompassing compendium of kata bunkai. Perhaps the dvds do show a greater selection, and Iain’s youtube channel is full of videos with various bunkai, but this book only uses a relatively small number of snippets to illustrate the text. The purpose of the book is therefore more to encourage the reader to seek out bunkai and interpret them themselves. It is less an encyclopedia and more a manifesto.
This really is a book that makes you enjoy doing kata, even if its just for competitions, as you start trying to analyse what you do rather than just drilling it mindlessly. Strongly recommend.
The book gives a detailed historical context for both the origins of kata and their evolution into the abstract forms we know today. Comparisons are highlighted between the difference in nature of sport violence and ‘street’ violence, and how the actions taken differ.
The various actions are categorised, such as striking, grappling, and joint locks, as well as which parts of the body are targeted. The more distinctly ‘karate’ actions, stances and so-called blocks, are interpreted in the context of realistic self defense techniques. Finally some recommendations are given for training kata and sparring to make these moves muscle memory.
Throughout, various kata are sampled through the use of clear photos. Mini sequences of positions show how the kata moves look when they are applied to an opponent. These are obviously still a bit too polished in comparison to real violence but their purpose is to illustrate principles that can then be practised in sparring.
The book does not serve as an all encompassing compendium of kata bunkai. Perhaps the dvds do show a greater selection, and Iain’s youtube channel is full of videos with various bunkai, but this book only uses a relatively small number of snippets to illustrate the text. The purpose of the book is therefore more to encourage the reader to seek out bunkai and interpret them themselves. It is less an encyclopedia and more a manifesto.
This really is a book that makes you enjoy doing kata, even if its just for competitions, as you start trying to analyse what you do rather than just drilling it mindlessly. Strongly recommend.
November 25, 2025
Great book
It's a pretty thorough book on Karate Bunkai Jutsu probably the most neglected study in karate. Karate used to be a real fighting system that was watered down by sport and health and fitness training the techniques are here for all to see that this martial art was a down and dirty fighting system designed to hurt main or kill an attacker. Ian Abernathy takes you back to bits roots, to its beginnings coming from Chinese Kempo to its current state. It would be great to find a Karate class like this where I live but it's mostly obsessed with sport application without kata whilst making spurious claims that you can defend yourself with it.
It's a pretty thorough book on Karate Bunkai Jutsu probably the most neglected study in karate. Karate used to be a real fighting system that was watered down by sport and health and fitness training the techniques are here for all to see that this martial art was a down and dirty fighting system designed to hurt main or kill an attacker. Ian Abernathy takes you back to bits roots, to its beginnings coming from Chinese Kempo to its current state. It would be great to find a Karate class like this where I live but it's mostly obsessed with sport application without kata whilst making spurious claims that you can defend yourself with it.
December 11, 2020
Must Have
This is a must have for martial artists who want to begin learning how to apply their art. Iain breaks down now kata teaches everything you need to defend yourself in a real attack, but has sadly been lost due to a lack of understanding and an emphasis on competition. It's all there if you know how to look for it. If you're serious about learning how to apply your kata you need this book.
This is a must have for martial artists who want to begin learning how to apply their art. Iain breaks down now kata teaches everything you need to defend yourself in a real attack, but has sadly been lost due to a lack of understanding and an emphasis on competition. It's all there if you know how to look for it. If you're serious about learning how to apply your kata you need this book.
October 29, 2024
Wow.
Definitely, a game-changer.
It gave me a new perspective on the relationship between kihon-kata-kumite. I will never look at kata the same way.
Definitely, a game-changer.
It gave me a new perspective on the relationship between kihon-kata-kumite. I will never look at kata the same way.
May 20, 2008
A great resource for the advancing karate student. Gives detailed bunkai information for several basic kata moves (not typically discussed in many karate dojos). The real hidden meanings and actual combat secrets hidden in kata forms. Very helpful and interesting.
July 19, 2012
A very thought provoking book and an excellent companion to Iain's Bunkai Jutsu DVDs. This is essential reading for traditional karate students who are interested in developing their understanding of kata and seeking practical applications.
January 19, 2013
A must for all karateka, regardless of style. Abernethy takes karate back to the blood and snot days in this book, which karate was originally supposed to be, and brings back a lot of things that is now sadly lacking in a lot of karate clubs.
August 21, 2015
A definite read for those who consider themselves traditionalist!
This is a definite read for all martial artist, however in particular KARATE practitioners. Karate is a solid self defense system.
This is a definite read for all martial artist, however in particular KARATE practitioners. Karate is a solid self defense system.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews