First you learn your kata...

Many people have expressed this idea, but I’ve said this for decades: “First you learn your kata, then you learn your kata.  The very young and those uninitiated are sometimes confused by this statement. 

Yamanni Ryu instructor Kowa Chhe was asked by a student to review a certain kata.  Chhe asked if the student wanted to go over sequence or technique.  Different words, but the same idea as my statement.

A student is taught a new kata.  The student now knows what move follows what move.  Many dojos leave it at that; the student has learned the kata.  At Dō Gakuin, this is just the beginning.  Now that you have the tools, you must learn to use them.  We study bunkai, examine how the technique works, look at alternate uses, and practice the movements until they come out fast, effective, and automatic.  At that point you can say you have learned your kata.