Taikyoku Shodan (Kihon Kata or Basic Kata)
("First Cause" "First Level")

About the kata

This is the first of the Taikyoku kata developed by Funakoshi. Although many Shotokan schools don't teach some or any of the Taikyoku forms, those that do always include this first one.

How to do the kata

1. Yoi (Ready Position)
   Stand ready with your feet about shoulder width apart, hands closed in front of the hips, and eyes focused forward.
2. Hidari Gedan Barai Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Down Block, Front Stance)
   Look to the left and step in that direction with the left foot into a front stance while executing a left hand down block.
3. Migi Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Right Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
   Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the right hand.
4. Migi Gedan Barai Zenkutsu Dachi (Right Down Block, Front Stance)
   Begin by looking to the rear over the right shoulder. Keeping the left foot in place, step with the right foot to the rear, via your right side, and turn into a front stance while doing a down block with the right hand.
5. Hidari Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
   Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the left hand.
6. Hidari Gedan Barai Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Down Block, Front Stance)
   Look to the left and step in that direction with the left foot into a front stance while executing a left hand down block.
7. Migi Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Right Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
   Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the right hand.
8. Hidari Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
   Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the left hand.
9. Migi Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi Kiai (Right Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance, Kiai)
   Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the right hand. Kiai as you complete the punch.
10. Hidari Gedan Barai Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Down Block, Front Stance)
    Look to the right using your peripheral vision. Moving your left, rear, foot, pivot counter-clockwise on your right foot in a 270 degree spin. Stop and land in a front stance while executing a left hand down block.
11. Migi Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Right Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
    Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the right hand.
12. Migi Gedan Barai Zenkutsu Dachi (Right Down Block, Front Stance)
    Begin by looking to the rear over the right shoulder. Keeping the left foot in place, step with the right foot to the rear, via your right side, and turn into a front stance while doing a down block with the right hand.
13. Hidari Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
    Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the left hand.
14. Hidari Gedan Barai Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Down Block, Front Stance)
    Look to the left and step in that direction with the left foot into a front stance while executing a left hand down block.
15. Migi Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Right Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
    Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the right hand.
16. Hidari Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
    Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the left hand.
17. Migi Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi Kiai (Right Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance, Kiai)
    Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the right hand. Kiai as you complete the punch.
18. Hidari Gedan Barai Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Down Block, Front Stance)
    Look to the right using your peripheral vision. Moving your left, rear, foot, pivot counter-clockwise on your right foot in a 270 degree spin. Stop and land in a front stance while executing a left hand down block.
19. Migi Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Right Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
    Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the right hand.
20. Migi Gedan Barai Zenkutsu Dachi (Right Down Block, Front Stance)
    Begin by looking to the rear over the right shoulder. Keeping the left foot in place, step with the right foot to the rear, via your right side, and turn into a front stance while doing a down block with the right hand.
21. Hidari Chudan Oi Zuki Zenkutsu Dachi (Left Mid-level Lunge Punch, Front Stance)
    Step forward into a new front stance and punch forward to the midsection with the left hand.
22. Yoi (Ready Position)
    Return to the ready position by first looking to the left. Then, keeping the right foot in place, step counter clock-wise with the left foot, ending in both the same posture and location that you started the form with.

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