Hakuda Kata

Hakuda Kata (白打型, "White Hits Form") is a highly advanced skill. Although it is first studied at the expert level, with practitioners often attempting to utilize the principle of kata, the art of Hakuda Kata takes centuries to truly master entirely and often serves as a staple of actual mastery.

Overview
All martial arts have existed upon the idea of encompassing an aspect of the world in order to transcend one's limitations. It is said that one must look to the wind, to the mountains, to the rivers and the animals in the forest, and that all things in the world must serve as your teacher. "Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything — even mountains, rivers, plants and trees — should be your teacher." For humans, this principle can only be expressed by attempting to replicate certain behavior that they observe. However, for those of the spiritual realm, it is possible to further apply this principle and actually manifest it. In other words, Hakuda Masters are capable of with these concepts that they observe and study in the world, seemingly manifesting certain effects and attributes as a result.

By attempting to move as rivers do or as the wind blows, one's body may temporarily take on a water-like or air-like form and move free of physical restrictions that would otherwise make such movement impossible. Taking on the attribute of a mountain can actually heighten one's defensive capabilities and reinforce their durability to an extent. At the first stage of Hakuda Kata, one's aura takes on the properties of the concept one is attempting to embody, but for those who further master the art, it is possible to induce partial or even complete personification of the concept that allows them to seemingly manifest physical characteristics. , the acclaimed Grandmaster of Hakuda, is one that has mastered Hakuda Kata to such an extent that he can maintain complete personification forms of even a being as powerful as a.

However, the art of Hakuda Kata is not an easy one to master, nor is personification a simple skill to invoke. It requires immense mastery over one's self, awareness of one's own skills, but most of all, a deep understanding of the concept one is seeking to embody is a must. The only reason Seireitou managed to ever develop a kata based upon dragons was because of the time he spent training under. In general, the rule of thumb is that the stronger and more complex the concept or existence that a Hakuda specialist is attempting to embody, the greater level of understanding it takes to truly produce a kata reflecting upon it.

Behind the Scenes
This article was written as a form of the author's own interpretation of the real martial art concept of Kata as it would pertain to the martial arts practiced by spirits.