Applications

Bunkai in SKN

Write partner applications beside the kata line. Never treat one bunkai sheet as the only truth: your sensei’s teaching is the standard.

Two ways to write bunkai

For a single move, you can keep the kata tree and add aBunkai line. For partner work, use a dual column: attacker on the left, defender on the right, with the same [MAWATTE] /[STEP] labels as the kata sheet.

Many readings exist. Label the header with whose reading it is (your sensei, a seminar, your notes). When unsure, leave the bunkai blank and ask in the dojo.

Example: Pinan Nidan opening (45° off-axis)

This reading treats the opening as diagonal tai sabaki, not a pure cardinal turn. Scenario A steps 45° off the attack line into otoshi. Scenario B uses a rear 45° evasion with the two-stage gedan-barai into otoshi crush.

====================================================================================================
BUNKAI: Pinan Nidan (Shito-Ryu), 45° Off-Axis Evasion
SCENARIO: Direct Attack Deflection using Diagonal Tai Sabaki (Body Evasion)
====================================================================================================

--- [ BUNKAI 1: 45° DIAGONAL EVASION & OTOSHI ENTRY ] ---

[ATTACKER (A)]                          [DEFENDER (D)]
  |                                       |
  +-- Drives forward on North-South line  |
  |   (Right Chudan Punch / Mae-Geri)     +-- [EVADE 45° NW] into [L] N-D
  |                                       |   ├─ Vector: Diagonal backward step off A's line
  |                                       |   ├─ Effect: A's strike passes through empty space
  |                                       |   ├─ Defense: Left Tetsui Otoshi-uchi onto A's limb
  |                                       |   └─ Alignment: D gains a strong angle on A's side
  |                                       |
  +-- Over-extended & off-balance --------+-- [STEP 45° W/NW] into [R] Z-D
                                          ├─ Drive: Enter through A's blind spot/ribs
                                          └─ Strike: Right Oi-tsuki (Counter)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--- [ BUNKAI 2: TWO-STAGE 45° REAR EVASION (EAST) ] ---

[ATTACKER (A)]                          [DEFENDER (D)]
  |                                       |
  +-- Drives forward from East axis ------+-- [PIVOT 135° SE] into [R] Z-D
  |                                       |   ├─ Vector: 45° off A's incoming line (SE angle)
  |                                       |   └─ Defense 1: Right Gedan-barai (Clears A's limb)
  |                                       |
  +-- Attempts secondary punch / grab ----+-- Pull back into [R] N-D
  |                                       |   └─ Defense 2: Right Tetsui Otoshi-uchi
  |                                       |                (Smashes arm / traps elbow)
  |                                       |
  +-- Structure collapsed to the side ----+-- [STEP 45° E] into [L] Z-D
                                          └─ Counter: Left Oi-tsuki to exposed side

Note: One possible reading. Your sensei's bunkai is the standard for your dojo.

Suggested practice

Write the kata sheet first, without bunkai.
Confirm sequence with your sensei’s version.
Add bunkai only for the applications you were shown.
Review the sheet, then put it away and train with a partner.

Full kata example:Pinan Nidan (Shito-Ryu).