BASSAI WADO-RYU
Dec 11, 2010|
Admin
This kata is called “Storming the Fortress”, and this is evident from the power and strength that is demonstrated in the kata. Its name was changed to Bassai Dai by Gichin Funakoshi.
Its origins are from pre-1869 Matsumura, Shuri-te style.
This form contains repeated switching of the blocking arms, motions that represent the feeling of shifting from a disadvantageous position to an advantageous one, a feeling implying a will similar to that needed to break through an enemy’s fortress.
In other Karate styles, Bassai has long and short forms (Bassai Dai and Bassai Sho respectively). These kata are from Northern Shaolin sources but from which sub-style no one is sure. They do, however, have strong Tiger Style characteristics.
It is said that Bassai Dai symbolizes the capture of the fortress, and Bassai Sho symbolizes the fight to get out again.
Bassai Kata
1.Rei
2. Yoi (Feet close to Heisokudachi. Right fist is closed with the second knuckles touching the left open palm. Both hands are in front of the groin with the palms facing each other.)
3. Twist the hips slightly to the left, bringing the hands slightly back towards the left hip. Then tobi forward into migi gyaku nekoashi dachi (right reverse cat stance.) The body will face 45 degrees to the left. At the same time perform migi soto uke with the left palm touching the right forearm. The left middle finger is touching what would be the knife edge of the right hand with the tip of the middle finger even with the little finger’s third knuckle.
4. Pivot on the right foot, turning counterclockwise 135 degrees into hidari tate seisan dachi. At the same time perform hidari soto uke.
5. Perform migi gyaku soto uke.
6. Pivot on the left foot, turning 180 degrees clockwise into migi tate seisan dachi. At the same time, perform hidari gyaku ude uke (reverse outside to inside forearm block)
7. Perform migi soto uke.
8. Pivot on the left foot 90 degrees clockwise into migi neko dachi. As you turn, perform migi sukui uke (scooping block) then execute migi ude uke.
9. Perform hidari gyaku soto uke.
10. Pivot on the right foot, turning 90 degrees counter clockwise into shizentai (natural stance). Perform hidari te uke. (As in Kushanku # 6)
11. Perform hidari gedan barai then migi seikenzuki chudan (as in Kushanku #7,8)
12. Step the left foot out wide to the left and perform migi soto uke (as in Kushanku #9)
13. Bring the left foot back to shizentai and perform hidari seikenzuki chudan (as in Kushanku #10)
14. Step the right foot out wide to the right and perform hidari soto uke (as in Kushanku #11)
15. Bring the left foot halfway to the right. Then step the right foot forward into migi neko ashi dachi and perform migi shuto uke.
16. Step the left foot forward into hidari neko ashi dachi and perform hidari shuto uke.
17. Step the right foot forward into migi neko ashi dachi and perform migi shuto uke.
18. Step the right foot backwards into hidari neko ashi dachi and perform hidari kake uke.
19. Pivot on both feet, turning the body 180 degrees counter clockwise bringing both hands palm down to waist level. (This crossed legged stance is known as kosa dachi and is an intermediary stance)
20. Bring the right knee up and perform migi sokuto geri to the right at knee level. As the kick is performed, the hands close and withdraw to the left hip. Then set the right foot down into hidari neko ashi dachi and perform hidari shuto uke to the opposite direction as the kick.
21. Step the right foot forward into migi neko ashi dachi and perform migi shuto uke.
22. Withdraw the right foot back into musubidachi while turning the body 90 degrees to the right. The fists close and drop down to the thighs. (you should be facing the direction the shuto uke was performed.)
23. Bring both hands up into morote jodan uke, then step the right foot forward into migi junzuki dachi and perform morote tetsui chudan.
24. Tobi forward slightly and perform migi junzuki chudan.
25. Pivot on the right foot 90 degrees counter clockwise, bringing the left foot into musubidachi. At the same time, perform migi soto uke to the right and hidari gedan barai to the left.
26. Turn the body 180 degrees counter clockwise and step the right out into shikodachi. At the same time, perform migi gedan barai to the right.
27. Withdraw the left towards the right into shizentai and perform hidari seikenzuki chudan to the left.
28. Open the left hand, with the thumb up. Then perform migi mikazukigeri into the left palm and set the foot down forward into shikodachi. As the foot sets down, perform migi empi uchi into the left palm. (The body faces the opposite direction from the previous move)
29. Perform migi gedan barai with the fist above the right knee. The head faces the same direction as the right foot.
30. Without moving the head, perform hidari gedan barai above the left knee.
31. Perform migi gedan barai above the right knee.
32. Withdraw the right foot slightly and bring the fists to migi te uke. Then step the right foot 90 degrees to the right performing yamazuki (mountain punch.) The left hand punches to the head and the right hand punches urazuki chudan.
33. Bring the right foot back into musubidachi, pivoting 180 degrees clockwise. Bring the hands into hidari te uke. Then step the left foot out and perform yamazuki. The hands are opposite from above.
34. Bring the left foot back into musubidachi, pivoting 180 degrees counter clockwise. Bring the hands into migi te uke. Then step the right foot out and perform yamazuki. The hands are the same as #32.
35. Pivot on the right foot, turning 90 degrees counter clockwise and perform migi sotouke. (The finished technique looks like #12 above.)
36. Pivot on both feet, twisting to the right while performing hidari soto uke (#14 above).
37. Bring the left foot halfway in and step the right foot forward into migi neko ashi dachi. Slowly perform migi shuto uke.
38. Turn the head 45 degrees to the left. Then pivot on the left foot and step the right foot 90 degrees to the right and slowly perform migi shuto uke.
39. Bring the right foot to the left and step the left foot out into hidari neko ashi dachi in the direction the head faces. Slowly perform hidari shuto uke.
40. Yame. (Bring the left foot halfway to the right. Then bring the right foot to the left into the opening posture with the right fist touching the left palm.)
41. Naorei
View Bassai Video
Posted in
WADO-RYŪ
comments