In karate, we learn forms as beginners and continue all the way through black belt. We practice them, analyze them, sometimes even modify them.
In Shotokan, there are forms with some ah...questionable movements that are more interesting than effective. In many cases the idea is to "understand the hidden meaning", but even with that some of them come off as being laughable.
It takes some time to realize what these movements are, and then even more time to become comfortable saying, "I think these movements are idealistic/unrealistic."
For example, in the kata Heian Godan, there is a leap into the air, landing with a block. Traditional sources say the move is to avoid someone swinging a staff at your feet and then you land with an attack. Riiiiight. It's probably more likely it's to condition the legs by incorporating athleticism into the form. Still, some teachers stick to the staff "defense" interpretation.
It makes me wonder, what sort of movements are there in taiko that are equally ridiculous? Movements that students are told make the strikes louder or something like "increasing one's ki", but really have no basis in fact? I can think of some things I've seen that are simply stylistic, but I also know people come up with some pretty fantastical concepts that they can feed an eager student.
Can you distinguish "style" from "nonsense?" "Hidden meanings" from "crazy in the head?" :)
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