Full Circle Martial Arts

Bunkai (分解^?), literally meaning “analysis”^[1] or “disassembly”,^[2] is a term used in Japanese martial arts referring to the application of fighting techniques extracted from the moves of a “form” (kata).

Bunkai is usually performed with a partner or a group of partners which execute predefined attacks, and the student performing thekata responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions, based on a part of the kata. This allows the student in the middle to understand what the movements in kata are meant to accomplish. It may also illustrate how to improve technique by adjusting distances, time moves properly, and adapt a technique depending on the size of an opponent. Read More>>>

In our school bunkai also means the movements of the form interpretation follow the kata exactly. Oyo, on the other hand, is a term used to describe a form interpretation where the movements do not follow the kata exactly offering more flexibility and creativity.