Bassai Dai literally means “to extract and block off” but this is taken to mean “to storm (penatrate) a fortress”s. Bassai dai is one of the variations of the Passai Kata that is practiced in Shotokan Karate, normally starting at 3rd Kyu. Shotokan houses two Bassai Kata, Dai and Sho. Dai means greater while... more »
Bunkai (kata application) is usually performed with a partner or a group of partners which execute predefined attacks, and the student performing the kata responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions, based on a part of the kata. This allows the student in the middle to understand what the movements in kata are meant... more »
There are at least 11 versions of the Bassai: Oyadomari, Tomari, Koryu & Matsumura among them. Bassai-Sho may be one of the other Bassai kata adopted by Shotokan and given the name Bassai-Sho. These Bassai Kata may be descended from Chinese forms known as Ba Ji Ch’uan. There are 2 forms: Ba Ji Da... more »
Bunkai (kata application) is usually performed with a partner or a group of partners which execute predefined attacks, and the student performing the kata responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions, based on a part of the kata. This allows the student in the middle to understand what the movements in kata are meant... more »
Chinte (Japanese: “Rare Hand” or “Unusual Hand”) is a very old kata originating from China. Its mixture of standard movements and rarely seen techniques, vestiges of ancient forms, give this kata a special appeal. Particularly dynamic, with its alternating strong and slow passages, Chinte is unique also in the presence of a number of... more »
Empi is a kata practiced by Shotokan and other karate styles. Empi means Flying Swallow. Empi comes from the Okinawan martial art of Tomari-te, where it first appeared in 1683. It is believed to have been influenced by Chinese boxing. It was originally called Wansu. Funakoshi Gichin changed the name to Empi when he... more »
Empi is a kata practiced by Shotokan and other karate styles. Empi means Flying Swallow. Empi comes from the Okinawan martial art of Tomari-te, where it first appeared in 1683. It is believed to have been influenced by Chinese boxing. It was originally called Wansu. Funakoshi Gichin changed the name to Empi when he... more »
Fumikomi geri is a Karate technique. It’s a stompimg kick in a downward direction. It is used in Katas like Bassai Dai and self defense. Targets of the Fumikomi geri are generally the knee, the hip and the... more »
Shotokan’s Gankaku is an advanced kata practiced mainly by black belts. The original name for Gankaku is Chinto. Stories are told of a Chinese sailor named Chinto, who was shipwrecked off the coast of Okinawa. To survive, Chinto stole from the crops of the local Okinawan people. Sokon Matsumura, a Karate master, was sent... more »
Shotokan’s Gankaku is an advanced kata practiced mainly by black belts. The original name for Gankaku is Chinto. Stories are told of a Chinese sailor named Chinto, who was shipwrecked off the coast of Okinawa. To survive, Chinto stole from the crops of the local Okinawan people. Sokon Matsumura, a Karate master, was sent... more »
Gedan barai is a karate technique mainly used for blocking an attack. The approximate English meaning is ‘low level sweep’. Standing in natural stance, and in a yoi (ready) position, bend left forearm up until fist reaches near the right ear while the right arm moves slightly in to the middle. The left elbow... more »
Gojūshiho (lit. 54 steps) is a kata practiced in karate. In some styles of karate, there are two versions of this kata — Gojūshiho Shō and Gojūshiho Dai. An advantage of the two versions of the kata is to better master the difficult techniques presented therein, but not without facing some confusion, for many... more »
Gojūshiho (lit. 54 steps) is a kata practiced in karate. In some styles of karate, there are two versions of this kata — Gojūshiho Shō and Gojūshiho Dai. An advantage of the two versions of the kata is to better master the difficult techniques presented therein, but not without facing some confusion, for many... more »
In some styles of karate, there are two versions of this kata — Gojūshiho Shō and Gojūshiho Dai. An advantage of the two versions of the kata is to better master the difficult techniques presented therein, but not without facing some confusion, for many sequences are the same and others only slightly different. The... more »
In some styles of karate, there are two versions of this kata — Gojūshiho Shō and Gojūshiho Dai. An advantage of the two versions of the kata is to better master the difficult techniques presented therein, but not without facing some confusion, for many sequences are the same and others only slightly different. The... more »
A gyaku tsuki or gyaku zuki is a karate technique. It involves a punch executed by the back arm. A gyaku tsuuki is sometimes called a “reverse punch”. It is also executed better if you use the hips to push it forward. It is one of the most used and effective punches used in... more »
Hangetsu (Japanese: “Half Moon”) is an advanced kata practiced in Shotokan karate. It originates from the Naha-te school. The first part is executed slowly with strong breathing, stressing the development of the hara. This sequence shares a strong similarity with sanchin. The second part of the kata is more dynamic in its execution, with... more »