Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends
Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends is a captivating podcast series that slices through the thickets of folklore and misconceptions surrounding the ancient art of karate. Each episode takes listeners on a journey through time, exploring the origins and truths behind some of the most widely believed karate legends. From the mystical tales of karate masters who could split mountains with a single strike, to the modern-day myths of karate as a form of unarmed combat, this podcast sheds light on the realities of karate and its deep historical roots. Join our hosts, as they debunk popular myths, and reveal the fascinating stories behind karate’s most enigmatic figures and practices. Whether you’re a karate enthusiast, a history buff, or simply love a good story, “Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends” offers a fresh perspective on a martial art that has captivated the world for centuries.
Episodes
August 22, 2025 • 40 mins
On this episode of “Great Karate Myths,” we unravel the truth behind classical karate kata. 🥋 We’re asking a controversial question: why is there no ground grappling in the antique forms? 🧐 We'll explore the life-or-death context of policing and weapon defense, and why staying upright was the only option. Discover how the modern idea of a "complete martial artist" is a far cry from the original purpose of these ancient forms. ⚔️ ...
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August 12, 2025 • 38 mins
In this episode of Great Karate Myths, we challenge the popular belief that antique kata were designed to map out deadly vital point strikes, also known as kyusho. 🥋 We delve into historical research and explore the evidence suggesting that forms like Naihanchi and Seisan were actually developed to avoid causing serious, permanent damage. 🛡️ Instead, their purpose was likely for civil arrest and policing, focusing on techniques f...
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August 5, 2025 • 30 mins
In this Q&A episode, we tackle the big question: "What is the real context for karate kata?" We explore why these forms are the most credible evidence we have for understanding karate's history, and why relying solely on written historical documents is a dead end. We also delve into the surprising and diverse origins of kata, which may have included roles such as policing, bodyguarding, palace security, and even religious ritua...
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July 29, 2025 • 49 mins
In this episode of "Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends," we delve into Sanchin, the foundational karate kata. We explore the compelling theory that the Uechi-ryu Sanchin, brought from China by Kanbun Uechi, serves as a prototype due to its pure function for sai training. Discover how historical events, like the Qing dynasty's weapons ban, may have led to the divergence of Sanchin forms, influencing Goju-ryu's interpretation ...
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July 23, 2025 • 47 mins
In this revealing episode of 'Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends' 🥋, we tackle the "elephant in the room" of karate: the unique and often-ignored Naihanchi fist. We challenge the pervasive notion that karate is solely about striking, arguing that the peculiar shape of the Naihanchi fist is a crucial clue to the kata's original function. 🧐Discover why this specific fist, with its top finger half-open and thumb wrapped over ...
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July 13, 2025 • 68 mins
Embark on a critical exploration of Okinawan Kobudo in this episode of 'Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends.' We dive deep into whether modern Okinawan Kobudo is a direct continuation of ancient combative methods or a more recent development influenced by cultural demonstration and Japanese budo. Our hosts unpack the crucial differences in combat distances, discussing how antique forms, particularly with weapons like the Sai ...
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July 8, 2025 • 63 mins
In this insightful episode of "Great Karate Myths: Debunking Legends," the team are joined by experienced martial arts instructor Matt Turner to challenge the common misconception that kata are perfect and provide all the answers for self-defense. They delve into the limitations of kata, arguing that they serve as fundamental "maps of the territory" and a "set of martial skills" , rather than prescriptive, scenario-based choreograp...
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June 30, 2025 • 61 mins
In this special "Question Time" episode of "Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends," we tackle listener questions about the true nature and purpose of karate kata. We explore the theory that kata are essentially manuals for specific weapon applications, challenging the notion that they are primary training methods. The discussion delves into historical parallels with Japanese swordsmanship and the significant impact of weapon ba...
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June 23, 2025 • 58 mins
In this episode of Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends, the team pivots from Okinawan dojos to southern Chinese training halls to dissect one of martial arts’ most romanticised systems: Wing Chun. Through lived experience and rigorous scrutiny, the conversation explores three central questions:
- Is Wing Chun a real-world self-defence system?
- Is it a cinematic fabrication built on legends and wire-fu choreography?
- Or… is it...
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June 16, 2025 • 57 mins
Are traditional karate blocks real or ritual? In this deep-dive discussion, we question the origins and effectiveness of "blocking" in kata. Is it martial wisdom or stage illusion? With references from Goju-ryu to UFC, and even Jim Carrey, we explore how distance, timing, and intent reshape everything you think you know about defense. A must-listen for martial artists and myth-busters alike.
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June 10, 2025 • 50 mins
Are modern karate styles true systems or just collections of forms? 🥋 In this episode, we dive deep into the crucial distinction between karate "styles" and "systems." Discover why most modern karate groups are considered mere compilations of kata, lacking the integrated, functional purpose of true systems. We explore the origins of this distinction, from the haphazard introduction of Chinese boxing to Okinawa to the creation of t...
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June 3, 2025 • 37 mins
Tune in to Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends as we unravel the enigma of Ko-do Ryu! In this episode, co-host Nathan Johnson, the founder of Ko-do Ryu, shares its origins, tracing the name back to a conversation on a coach in Spain and its formalization between 2000 and 2004. Learn how the practice: "Ko-do To-Te", meaning "old way of China hand," alludes to the Chinese origins of the material and its focus on antique kata an...
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May 27, 2025 • 38 mins
Grab a seat in the dojo for Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends—it’s Question Time! Our listeners dropped six awesome questions via socials, and we’re ready to kick them into high gear. Is the Sanchin Kata stance any good for armed fights if it flops in a street brawl? Are drunk pub brawlers scarier than knife-wielding pros? Why’s kata training cool for weapons but not bare knuckles? Plus, we’re spilling the tea on why katas ...
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May 25, 2025 • 48 secs
Hey there, martial arts fans! Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends is back with a must-hear Question Time episode! We’re diving into your top questions, including the big one: Can you really learn kata from a video? Our rotating crew of karate experts breaks it down, exploring whether online tutorials can teach the heart of these ancient forms. With six listener questions pulled from our socials, we’re tackling everything from...
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May 18, 2025 • 42 mins
In this episode of Great Karate Myths, Debunking the Legends, hosts Shanir, Tom and Nathan tackle the misconception that karate kata are designed for self-defence. They argue that kata, rooted in antique forms like Kusanku and Chinto, were primarily for pre-emptive control and weapon use, not reactive unarmed combat. Drawing on real-world violence footage and insights from self-defence expert Jeff Thompson, they highlight the chaot...
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May 8, 2025 • 33 mins
Back from our hiatus, we have fellow senior instructor for Ko-do Ryu, Kev joining us.
In this episode we talk about the recent release of Nathan's, 'The Great Karate Myth'. First published in 2006 and causing controversy over its claims, we find it is still controversial nearly 20 years later.
We answer the burning question, "Where's the Evidence!?"
In this episode we talk about the recent release of Nathan's, 'The Great Karate Myth'. First published in 2006 and causing controversy over its claims, we find it is still controversial nearly 20 years later.
We answer the burning question, "Where's the Evidence!?"
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May 24, 2024 • 58 mins
Karate has evolved from its classical roots to the modern sport we know today. In the past, Kata was central to Karate and practitioners would repeat forms over and over again without much attention to their function. However as Karate spread and sparring was introduced, Kata took a backseat. Early founders aimed to conform to the existing ideas of Kendo, a modern form of Japanese swordsmanship. Despite this, some influential figur...
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May 15, 2024 • 55 mins
The phrase "function dictates form" is a variation of the design principle "form follows function." This principle of architectural design emphasises that the way something looks should be determined by its use rather than aesthetic considerations. In a broader sense, "function dictates form" means that the design of an object or system should be based upon its intended function or purpose. For example, the thin flap of your eyelid...
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May 6, 2024 • 47 mins
The hosts question traditional beliefs and test the traditions that have shaped karate. They discuss the concept of creative interpretation in karate kata, exploring how it goes beyond a basic understanding and infuses personal ideas and experiences. They argue that creative interpretation can lead to vague and inconsistent applications of kata, whereas they focus on understanding the original function of the movements. They also d...
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May 5, 2024 • 1 min
Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends is a captivating podcast series that slices through the thickets of folklore and misconceptions surrounding the ancient art of karate. Each episode takes listeners on a journey through time, exploring the origins and truths behind some of the most widely believed karate legends.
Join our hosts, as they debunk popular myths, and reveal the fascinating stories behind karate’s most enigmatic fi...
Join our hosts, as they debunk popular myths, and reveal the fascinating stories behind karate’s most enigmatic fi...
Mark as Played
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