Omote, Ura and Okuden

By Ridgely Abele

Karate bunkai can be broken up in to five different categories: Omote, Ura, Okuden or Kakushi, Henka and Sutemi. I will limit this article to the first three.

Omote means public or obvious. It is a reference to the obvious application. For example when a block in the kata is performed you can see that it is simply a block to a punch or kick. Also when kicking or punching clearly it is to a target like the solar plexus or groin and that is an effective technique.

Omote means public or obvious. It is a reference to the obvious application. For example when a block in the kata is performed you can see that it is simply a block to a punch or kick. Also when kicking or punching clearly it is to a target like the solar plexus or groin and that is an effective technique.

Ura means inside, or alternative and it is a reference to what happens between the beginning and the end of the technique. It is an alternative application. For example, when turning in a kata are you just turning? Or is it a sweep? When performing a block generally you look at the end point where it stops the punch or kick. By changing the angle, or move in at an angle, while the punch is being thrown the block turns in to a grappling technique. Refer to drawing. The example is the middle block and high block combination.

Okuden means “hidden or concealed”. It is usually connected to secret teaching. If you do not have knowledge of grappling, applied pressure techniques or sweeping skills the techniques are literally concealed or hidden from you. This is where you go beyond the basics in your training.

In the early seventies my instructor (Robert Trias) introduced me to the moving forces of Karate. Here is the list:
Kokyu (breathe control)
Atemi (vital strike to vital area)
Kensetsu (bone or joint bending)
Appaku (applied pressure)
Nage (throwing)
Chime (choking)
Kotekitai (absorbing and controlling pain),
Kaeshu (reversals)

All of these skills are taught within the kata. This happens when the different levels of bunkai are taught. Bunkai literally means separate or breaking down. The kata is broken down to individual parts.

After you have repeated the advanced interpretation of kata. Take the skills learned in the kata and practice them with kumite. Of course you cannot use sport kumite to apply theses skills. You will apply them in a different type of kumite, such as kata kumite.

In Shuri-ryu we have a type of kumite called kata kumite. This type of training gives the opportunity to practice sweeping, throwing, grappling, applied pressure techniques along with punching and kicking. Here is how it works. There are three levels.

In the first level each karateka can only attack with hands or feet. This level is an introduction to kumite. Two players face each other; one player attacks and holds the technique out. The beginners level starts out attacking with one technique only. The defender moves off the centerline, blocks and counters with a punch or kick, again holding the last technique out. The opponent must move, block, and counter with a punch or kick. Immediately the other player blocks and attacks with a punch or kick and holds the technique out, the situation is repeated. At this level the student learns to use footwork, body alignment and targeting. I use this for the beginning level of sport kumite.

The second level: intermediate student attacks with combinations of three techniques, leaving the third technique out. The defender moves, blocks and counters with three more techniques. At this level each karateka can add the use of elbows, knees, open hand techniques, sweeps, and throws are acceptable. This back and forth is repeated for one minute.

The third level: advanced student attacks with three techniques. At this level the third technique is not held out but the opponent must anticipate the target of the third technique. The defender must block and counters with three techniques. It is a very fluid expression between each player. At this level all techniques are used, sweeps throws, locks, applied pressure techniques, and chokes. This back and forth is repeated for one minute. There are other variations a little too complicated to cover in this article. For example blindfold one partner and start by having each player touch wrists. This teaches tactile ability. For real fun have both partners blind folded.

The next pictured demonstrates example is considered an okuden technique. It requires knowledge of striking points, locking techniques and throwing techniques. There are many subtleties during this series of blocking combinations. While grabbing the wrist apply pressure to the heart and lung meridian squeeze with the index finger and thumb (H7, LU8), when folding the arm for the X block strike the brachial artery and finally turning to throw the opponent to the ground execute an elbow strike to the brachial plexus (the front tip of the shoulder just above and outside the chest muscle).

In the early sixties at fourteen years old I started out like everyone else learning the stances, blocks, punches, kicks, and strikes. In our dojo after basics you started kumite, only lip service was given to kata. I wondered if there was something else in Karate? I was fortunate to study with unique teachers in Japan, Okinawa and the U.S. In each style there was something that made that it special.

So if the moving forces that I have talked about are not in your style go out and learn them. If you are not able to do them, start to practice, until you can. Attend a seminar; reach out beyond your style or Dojo. When you learn these things do not change dojo or style but bring it back and share it with you dojo.