I read the great discourse on the 7 lightsaber forms by Uilos718 and have been thinking on my old karate katas and how I might apply a lightsaber to the moves. So I doodled out the steps at work today and added a bit of text to explain each step. This was the 1st kata I learned, so it's very basic and I hope the steps are clear and understandable. I have 2 more sketched out and will post them later.
Comments and critiques more than welcome!
I love it! It is epic in it's simple practicality for a few reasons.
1- Martial Arts (including karate, tae kwon do, kendo, kumdo, etc.) that have these as a basis for learning fundamentals.
Teaching your body some of the range of motion with a specific weapon, small practical applications on blocking or
attacking, building confidence and control, and even demonstrating such kata for entertainment or novice instruction.
2- Lore- Once upon a time this was cannon (even if now it's labeled as Legend in the extended universe) in Drew
Karpyshyn's book Darth Bane: Path of Destruction "kata" have a place in the learning process. They are called
sequences... and ALL lightsaber combat they learn as Sith are introduced as initially learning, memorizing, and building
muscle memory of these sequences. It's a solid foundation to build on. A hinderance if over relied on, but at best it frees
up the mind mid combat to observe enemy movement/ tactics more clearly for openings and such. Letting the Force
guide you, being one with it, whatever you call it in that elevated flow. Bane learns hundreds of attacks, blocks, parries,
and they become a fluid personal style of Djem So he uses to horrifying effect.
3- Universality- As mentioned in a previous post, pre established kata then become disseminated. If this proliferation is
widespread enough theoretically 2 practitioners of the same Form would then know some similar sequences even having
never met before. Providing a frame of reference, opportunity to see individual adaptations made and their potential
efficacy, and adding further depth to a true sport/combat aspect of lightsaber use. With no offense given to stage
combat, this is what Samurai developed when they could no longer "fight" and carry swords but wanted skills to be
preserved for future use/teaching. Making me even more passionate about development/delving into this area.
I will endeavor to research these kata, sequences, and videos relating to the like. If I must pick up where others left off so be it. Or adapting the existing ones to produce reliable sequences if none are as fleshed out as I'd prefer. BUT the diagrams and zeal that started this topic wont die while I hunger for growth. I've spent more than half my life now dedicated to some type of sword, so passion isn't lacking. If I discover, create, or adapt anything of merit here is likely where it will wind up. I feel I'm not the only one still seeking this synthesis.
