Mnemonic Devices

I asked senior dans and long-time students of the martial arts to submit material that I would post in my blog. (I will continue to post my own material at the same rate as I have been doing.) The following article was submitted by Master Mark Kline, a 7^th dan in Kyusho Jitsu. He has produced many DVDs and taught workshops and seminars around the world on the subject of Kyusho and kata application. You can find his products on www.kyusho.com. The following is Master Kline's article:

From Wikepedia:

A mnemonic device (pronounced /nɨˈmɒnɨk/[1]) is a mind memory and/or learning aid. Commonly, mnemonics are verbal—such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something—but may be visual, kinesthetic or auditory. Mnemonics rely on associations between easy-to-remember constructs which can be related back to the data that is to be remembered. This is based on the principle that the human mind much more easily remembers spatial, personal, surprising, sexual, humorous or otherwise meaningful information than arbitrary sequences.

The word mnemonic is derived from the Ancient Greek word μνημονικός mnēmonikós ("of memory") and is related to Mnemosyne ("remembrance"), the name of the goddess of memory in Greek mythology. Both of these words refer back to μνῆμα mnḗma ("remembrance").[2] Mnemonics in antiquity were most often considered in the context of what is today known as the Art of Memory.

A martial arts system is a collection of techniques and/or rituals put together in a unique way. There are many systems with many rituals…some new, some very old. The reference to old refers to the origins of system, not to the current training methods, which very well may be new. Professor Wally Jay was a big advocate of cross training. This was something that he had spoken to Bruce Lee about even during their first meeting in 1962.

Systems that teach Kata are teaching a form of mnemonic device. Each Kata can be seen as a type of cross training as one may focus the majority of its techniques on striking, while another may focus on the grappling (Tuite) aspects.

Since we know the basic original intent of Kata (attacking the body’s weak areas, Kyusho Points, soft targets, etc), the movements are open to the interpretation of the practitioner. Much like a blank canvas can be turned into a work of art. Michelangelo did not create beautiful statues from a piece of marble. He felt that there was an existing work of art within each stone and it was his job to clear away the debris covering it.

I view Kata this way. In my opinion, which is supported by many, the secrets lie within the movements and it takes a lifetime of study to really appreciate what these ancient movements represent. I look at the movements today in my 40’s much differently than I did in my 20’s. As we evolve personally, spiritually and physically, so do mnemonic devices such as Kata or any similar training method.  Boxers use shadow boxing, baseball players go through their batting motions, throwing motions, fielding motions, etc. Basketball players hone their shooting motions both with and without a ball. Much of game preparation for football players is practiced first without an opponent or opposing practice squad.

Take a moment to try the following, but you must do each of these as if you were really doing it:

-      Type your name on a computer…in the air…make sure you do not misspell!

-       Put on your karate / training uniform…if you wear a belt…make sure that you tie it properly.

-      Pour yourself a glass of (insert favorite beverage here)

-      Put on a winter coat and make sure that you zip or button it properly

-      Put on a button down shirt and let’s not get the buttons crossed up.

So…what have we just done? We have just done different types of “Kata.” You can call them the “typing Kata”, the “clothing Kata”, the “drinking Kata”…whatever you want, but they are all ways to remember how to do something…a mnemonic device.

Is it necessary that one practice Kata, the formal exercises of many systems to be a good martial artist, or proficient in protecting oneself? No. Not at all! Regardless of the style you practice, came from, etc. you practice some kind of Kata (formal exercise of your particular system). Do you practice “Shadow Boxing?” or can you train when you do not have a partner? If the answer is yes, then you are practicing a form of Kata that could be unique to you and/or your style or system. Any time that you practice alone, you are using a mnemonic device created by someone else, or making one up on the spot.

The beauty of Kata is that you do not even have to practice them, but may want to because, with proper direction, they contain many techniques and answers to questions that you may have or not yet have. Professor Wally Jay would ask me, “What move in a Kata is this?” He was always practicing the wrist exercises that he created (Mnemonic Devices) wherever he was. Professor Remy Presas was the same…always thinking, always moving. Leon Jay learned Kata Naihanchi to help him tie in Small Circle Jujitsu with Kyusho.

In closing, Kata is not the be all end all. It is a mnemonic device that has stood the test of time through the efforts of many who truly understand what they were for. As a long time proponent of Kata and their various training methods, I am still just a beginner, scratching the surface of this beautiful art form.