shotokan bassai dai

Shotokan Karate Kata

Bassai Dai

, literally translates "To Storm a Castle, major" or "To Penetrate a Fortress, major" is akata practiced in Shotokan karate and is one of many variations of the Passai kata. There are twoBassai kata, the other one being Bassai sho, and although the "Sho" translates to "minor", it istaught after Bassai Dai.Bassai Dai is characterised by repeated changing of the blockingarms to represent the feeling of shifting from a disadvantageous position to an advantageous one and repeated attacks such as thethree consecutive yama zuki represent penetrating a strongdefence. Bassai Dai is usually classed as an intermediate kata andis generally first taught to karateka at 3rd kyu (brown belt) and insome Shotokan federations is allowed to be performed as a grading kata as far as 1st dan (black belt).Master Gichin Funakoshi studied the Passai (original name for Bassai) kata under Master Anko Itosu (pictured). Master Funakoshi then made some changes, mainly lengthening thestances and took the new Bassai kata to mainland Japan.

The ultimate aim of the art of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants.

Master Gichin Funakoshi

Heisoku-dachi rei YoiLeft hand wraps aroundthe right fist.Left thumbplaced in the top of the rightfist, next to the right thumb.Lift the right knee up and For this demonstration we Moroto uchi uke (augmentedforward, at the same time, are landing then striking, forearm block) in kosa dachi pull both arms to the left when practicing the kata (crossed leg stance) knees locked.side of the body, keeping at full speed, try and land There are several applicationsthe hand positions, with the the strike with the step. for this move, uppercut, backfist,right thumb facing up. palm heal, double knee atttack, etcLeft leg steps across in left arm uchi uke(inside preparation for a left arm forearm block). Hanmi (uchi uke(inside forearm block) sideon) position.

To practice kata is not tomemorize an order. Youmust find the kata that work for you,understand them, digest them and stick with them for life.

Master Gichin Funakoshi

Right arm comes across the Perform gyaku uchi uke Right leg steps across, lift thestomach, the left arm can stay (reverse inside forearm left arm high and extend thebent or extend straight. block), with the right arm. right arm forward. Perform gyaku soto uke Right arm comes across the Perform right arm uchi uke(reverse outside forearm stomach, the left arm can stay (inside forearm block), takingblock) with the left arm. bent or extend straight. the body from shomen (square),to hanmi (side on).

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

Aristotle