The Purpose of Kakie

The purpose of kakie is to develop a “sense” one’s opponent’s oncoming strike through the use of touch. By continually pushing and resisting against an opponent’s arm, the body grows accustomed to the “feel” of an oncoming blow. By repeatedly reacting to these motions, with blocks, deflections and counter moves, and accumulating these actions until they become habit, one becomes ready at the exact instant of contact of a strike to respond in a similar way, without thinking, without the intervention of mind.

Kakie, in a slightly different form, is used in Tai Chi, showing the fundamental similarities between all Martial Arts, no matter how different they seem on the surface.

During Monday’s class, Kancho, the head of the dojo, told us that kata must be thought of a form of kumite – this means that we should never forget what the purpose and meaning of kata are, lest they become simply ritual movements. One should perform kata as though fighting imaginary opponents, in a strong frame of mind, visualizing each move as a block, strike or throw.