Kata simply is.
Many often forget the second word of what we practice - Art.
"Art is creative, dynamic, growing, living, breathing and vibrant. Sometimes, it is a conscious exercise - what brushstroke goes here? What bit of clay goes there?
"Sometimes, it flows out of us like an improvisational dance or composition.
"All is Art.
"But to create Good Art, one must understand and be able to apply the basics, whether the 13 basic brushstrokes of Sumi-e or the 54 Steps of Gojushi-ho.
"Then and only then, can one transcend the "rules" and compose new, Good Art."
- Bruce Darrow, my late Father.
As a cartoonist, he was quite in tune with art on all levels.
Just some thoughts from someone who has been too busy to be in here for a while...
Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com