Edited sentence: All jujitsu joint manipulation techniques can be found in the Okinawan kata, as well as ways to defeat those same techniques.But once they understand the true application, performing the kata becomes something much richer than a vaguely silly means to advance to the next belt rank.But the true meaning of the move is seldom anything like the contrived meaning, and ususally does something entirely different (not to mention brutally effective) from what it appears to be doing.Every move in the kata shows the practicioner the proper angle and direction of strikes, joint manipulations, kicks, chokes, and throws.For example, many Kempo self-defence techniques have their root in one or more of the Okinawan kata.In order to make sense of what a particular move does, the student needs to be trained by someone who knows that the move is not just a "block", but rather a throw or strike.In the styles that value kata, every move is a powerful and elegant technique that never meets force with force.Just about any imaginable self-defence technique that actually works can be found in kata, if not in one system then certainly in another.Kata by itself is fairly useless when practiced without understanding.Kata can be thought of as a "database" of martial art technique.Many kata moves do look absurd when viewed without understanding the true meaning of the move.Many martial arts schools  present kata as merely a stepping stone to the next belt rank.Most Japanese karate schools have created absurd explanations to match the absurd appearance.Not understanding the real applications of kata is why some styles persist in teaching such silliness as "X-blocks", or thinking that a forearm "block" will stop a roundhouse kick.Students dutifully learn the kata without ever learning what the various moves actually do, or worse, learning incorrect or absurd applications.Students will only learn this if taught by a knowledgable sensei.These sensei do a disservice to their students.This malpractice has resulted in legions of senior level martial artists who have no idea of the true value of kata