Bo Kumite One and Two
These kata were formulated to teach students how to fight against a bo staff with a bo staff. Many systems have some form of these kata that they teach their students. The study of these kata are very important to the progression of our students. There is both an offensive and a defensive side to these kata, thus making four "mini-kata". It is interesting to note that in both kata the offensive person loses with the defense person defeating the aggressor. I think that this is somewhat symbolic to the idea of karate as a defensive art. This is purely my own speculation. Another interesting note is that the bo kumite two starts with both opponents in a side position. Practicing these kata, will help a student to understand the time of the blocks and strikes with a bo staff. Students will learn finesse with the bo staff. They learn to strike, poke, and block with the bo staff. These kata will also help to teach a student proper weight transfer when blocking and striking with the bow staff. Both of these kata move only forward and backwards in a straight line, there is no movement to the sides. Most of the block and strikes are done either in a front stance or moving into a front stance.
