Learning Kata Taikyoko Shodan

This kata is a very basic sequence but extremely important for your development in Karate. The kata uses the stance of Zenkutsu Dachi for all the moves except the ready stance and ending stance of Hachiji Dachi. The only two techniques used in this Kata are the block of Gedan Barai and the lunging forward punch of Oi Tsuki. All of the punches in this kata should be struck at the point that the foot steps down in stance and remain extended until the next move begins,

1. Looking to your left. Pivot on your right foot and turn your whole body to your left hand side, slide your left foot forward into zenkutsu dachi facing west. Simutaniously, sweep down your left arm into a Gedan Barai.

2. Stepping forward with the right leg into Zenkutsu Dachi, punching Oi Tsuki with the right arm.

3. Looking quickly to the left, step your right foot behind you, turn 180 degrees and slide into Zenkutsu Dachi and perform Gedan Barai with the right arm.

4.Stepping forward with the left leg into Zenkutsu Dachi. Punching Oi Tsuki with the left arm.

5. Looking to the left, pivot on your right foot and turn your body to the left. Slide the left foot into Zenkutsu Dachi while performing a left hand Gedan Barai.

6. Stepping forward with the right leg into Zenkutsu Dachi and punching Oi Tsuki with the right arm.

7. Stepping forward with the left leg into Zenkutsu Dachi and punching Oi Tsuki with the left arm.

8. Step forward with your right leg into yet another Zenkutsu Dachi and punch with a Oi Tsuki with your right arm. Kiai at the end of this move.

9. Turn your body anti-clockwise 270 degrees by pivoting on the right foot and stepping right round into a Zenkutsu Dachi with a left arm Gedan Barai.

10. Stepping forward with the right leg into Zenkutsu Dachi punching Oi Tsuki with the right arm.

11. Look to the rear over your right shoulder then step the right foot back turning 180 degrees into a Zenkutsu Dachi performing Gedan Barai using the right arm.

12. Step forward with the left leg into Zenkutsu Dachi while punching Oi Tsuki using the left arm.

13. Look to the left then pivot on your right foot turning your body to the left 90 degrees and step into a Zenkutsu Dachi while performing a left hand Gedan Barai.

14. Stepping forward with the right leg into Zenkutsu Dachi and punching Oi Tsuki with the right arm.

15. Step forward once again with the left leg into a Zenkutsu Dachi and punching Oi Tsuki with the left arm.

16. Stepping forward with the right leg into Zenkutsu Dachi and punch the Oi Tsuki with the right arm, kiai loudly on the punch.

17. Rotate your body anti-clockwise 270 degrees by pivoting on the right foot and step your left foot into Zenkuutsu Dachi performing Gedan Barai with the left arm.

18. Stepping forward with the right leg into Zenkutsu Dachi punching Oi Tsuki with the right arm.

19. Look to the rear over your right shoulder and step round 180 degrees using your right foot to turn and slide into a Zenkutsu Dachi while performing a right hand Gedan Barai.

20. Stepping forward with the left leg into Zenkutsu Dachi and performing left arm Oi Tsuki punch.