TAIKYOKU SHODAN SHOTOKAN
Nov 15, 2010|
Admin
The word Taikyoku is often translated as "first cause." Shodan means "first step." Created by Gichin Funakoshi, Taikyoku Shodan is the simplest of all Shotokan style kata.
It contains only one type of block, one type of punch, and one main stance. Therefore, it is no surprise that the kata was created for the primary purpose of teaching elementary school students. Counting the last three created by Henri Plee, there are six Taikyoku kata. However, many Shotokan groups do not practice Taikyoku Shodan or any of the other Taikyoku kata at this time. These groups usually teach Heian Shodan as the first kata.
With the exception of the natural stances at the beginning and end of the kata, all of the techniques are performed while in front stance. Understanding how to assume and move from a front stance is therefore the essential message of Taikyoku Shodan. In addition to moving forward, there are several instances where the student is challenged to perform 90-degree, 180-degree, and 270-degree turns while moving from one front stance to another. Turning is often one of the more confusing aspects of the kata for new students and it should be diligently practiced given that turns appear in all future kata.
Furthermore, while moving in all directions in front stance, the student is also introduced to the two most common forms of hip movement in Shotokan karate, hip rotation and counter rotation. Given that there is only one basic attack (lunge punch) and one basic block (downward block) in the kata, students will be able to focus most of their attention on proper use of the hips while moving in the various directions required by the kata.
It contains only one type of block, one type of punch, and one main stance. Therefore, it is no surprise that the kata was created for the primary purpose of teaching elementary school students. Counting the last three created by Henri Plee, there are six Taikyoku kata. However, many Shotokan groups do not practice Taikyoku Shodan or any of the other Taikyoku kata at this time. These groups usually teach Heian Shodan as the first kata.
With the exception of the natural stances at the beginning and end of the kata, all of the techniques are performed while in front stance. Understanding how to assume and move from a front stance is therefore the essential message of Taikyoku Shodan. In addition to moving forward, there are several instances where the student is challenged to perform 90-degree, 180-degree, and 270-degree turns while moving from one front stance to another. Turning is often one of the more confusing aspects of the kata for new students and it should be diligently practiced given that turns appear in all future kata.
Furthermore, while moving in all directions in front stance, the student is also introduced to the two most common forms of hip movement in Shotokan karate, hip rotation and counter rotation. Given that there is only one basic attack (lunge punch) and one basic block (downward block) in the kata, students will be able to focus most of their attention on proper use of the hips while moving in the various directions required by the kata.
TAIKYOKU SHODAN
Salute slowly, musubi-dachi.
Announce “Taikyoku Shodan” in a decisive tone of voice.
Yoi (ready stance).hachiji-dachi.
1. Look left, then turn 90 DEGREES to your left into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
2. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
3. Picking up the front foot (right foot) and turn 180 DEGREES behind you into a right front stance and execute a right low block.
4. Step forward into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
5. Look to your left, pick up the front foot (left foot) and pivot 90 DEGREES on your right leg into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
6. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
7. Step forward again into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
8. Step forward again into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch and KIAI!
9. Moving your back leg (left leg) pivot 270 DEGREES on your right leg into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
10. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
11. Picking up the front foot (right foot) and turn 180 DEGREES behind you into a right front stance and execute a right low block.
12. Step forward into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
13. Look to your left, pick up the front foot (left foot) and pivot 90 DEGREES on your right leg into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
14. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
15. Step forward again into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
16. Step forward again into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch and KIAI!
17. Moving your back leg (left leg) pivot 270 DEGREES on you right leg into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
18. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
19. Picking up the front foot (right foot) and turn 180 DEGREES behind you into a right front stance and execute a right low block.
20. Step forward into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
Yame, hachiji-dachi
Training Tips:
Remember the count/timing: 1-2-pause (moves 1 and 2), 1-2-pause (moves 3 and 4), 1-2-3-4+Kiai and pause (moves 5, 6, 7, and 8), 1-2-pause (moves 9 and 10),1-2-pause (moves 11 and 12), 1-2-3-4+Kiai and pause (moves 13, 14, 15, and 16), 1-2-pause (moves 17 and 18), 1-2+Kiai and pause (moves 19 and 20).
View Taikyoku Shodan Video
Announce “Taikyoku Shodan” in a decisive tone of voice.
Yoi (ready stance).hachiji-dachi.
1. Look left, then turn 90 DEGREES to your left into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
2. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
3. Picking up the front foot (right foot) and turn 180 DEGREES behind you into a right front stance and execute a right low block.
4. Step forward into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
5. Look to your left, pick up the front foot (left foot) and pivot 90 DEGREES on your right leg into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
6. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
7. Step forward again into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
8. Step forward again into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch and KIAI!
9. Moving your back leg (left leg) pivot 270 DEGREES on your right leg into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
10. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
11. Picking up the front foot (right foot) and turn 180 DEGREES behind you into a right front stance and execute a right low block.
12. Step forward into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
13. Look to your left, pick up the front foot (left foot) and pivot 90 DEGREES on your right leg into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
14. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
15. Step forward again into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
16. Step forward again into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch and KIAI!
17. Moving your back leg (left leg) pivot 270 DEGREES on you right leg into a left front stance and execute a left low block.
18. Step forward into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch.
19. Picking up the front foot (right foot) and turn 180 DEGREES behind you into a right front stance and execute a right low block.
20. Step forward into a left front stance and execute a left middle punch.
Yame, hachiji-dachi
Training Tips:
Remember the count/timing: 1-2-pause (moves 1 and 2), 1-2-pause (moves 3 and 4), 1-2-3-4+Kiai and pause (moves 5, 6, 7, and 8), 1-2-pause (moves 9 and 10),1-2-pause (moves 11 and 12), 1-2-3-4+Kiai and pause (moves 13, 14, 15, and 16), 1-2-pause (moves 17 and 18), 1-2+Kiai and pause (moves 19 and 20).
View Taikyoku Shodan Video
Posted in
comments