E/B Productions Shotokan Karate DVD Shotokan Kata Applications Volume One (Bassai-dai, Empi)

The purpose of this DVD series is not to teach the kata, but to give meaning to the movements. At least two possible applications (Bunkai) for each sequence are demonstrated. By studying this DVD, the karate-ka will develop a useful and practical understanding of the applications to the movements in these katas.

For the beginning student, this DVD will serve as a starting point in his or her own understanding of the kata applications. For the experienced karate-ka, this DVD may lead to new interpretation of the movements:

• Bassai-Dai: This kata contains a wide variety of movements. the techniques employed, such as knee strikes, grabs and low kicks, make this kata a very practical kata for self-defense.
• Empi: This kata includes some very unusual features, such as rapid up and down movements and quick changes of direction. Empi is ideally suited for a small person. A larger person, however, can also learn much about self-defense from the principles developed by Empi.

This DVD is an important companion to Advanced Shotokan Kata, Volume One, which covers the technical details and form of these katas. (70 minutes)