The Enigma of Karate Kata

Karate kata (formal choreographed training routines) practiced the world over, and long assumed to record and disseminate methods of unarmed self defence, are here discussed in light of research which posits key 'antique/ancient' kata (with one, known, notable exception) as 'mnemonic devices', meticulously designed to record, codify and facilitate drills for the use of specialised weapons, or more properly, civil arrest tools. Nathan Johnson's Critical Essay outlining the development of Karate Kata from their intended creation to their modern day Creative Interpretation.