Bassai Dai

Bassai Dai is probably the most popular kata among various branches of karate and martial arts.  It has many different variations in the Bassai form and even more in its older Passai version.  It is taught at various levels from green belt to Shodan (1st degree black belt). It is a difficult kata requiring many, many long hours of practice to understand what the moves really mean.

1)   Begin to lean forward slightly. Right hand come up to in front to throat and right elbow  drops as you drop you weight.  Pause and then , drive forward with the right leg stepping into a crossed leg stance with the left leg moving up behind the right. As you step forward, execute a reinforced middle level inside block with the right hand. The left hand is open, supporting the inner right forearm with the tips of the fingers close to the base of the palm.

2) Turn 180 degrees counter clockwise.  Step out with the left leg into front a middle level inside block with the left hand. Follow that technique with a middle level reverse inside block with the right hand.

3) Turn 180 degrees clockwise.  Step with the right leg into the front stance. Execute a middle level reverse outside block with the left hand.. Follow that action with a middle level inside block with the right hand (finishing with the hips in the half front facing position).

4) Bring the right leg back to the left and pivot 90-degrees to your right (Turn 90 degrees clockwise). Keep the knees bent with the back straight and perform a lower level scooping block with the right hand. Then step out with the right leg into front stance and execute a middle level outside block with the right hand. Remaining in front stance, execute a middle level reverse inside block with the left hand.

 5) Draw the left foot back into a natural stance and turn 90 degrees clockwise). Simultaneously the hands come up and then the fists to the right shoulder.

 6) Execute a middle level vertical knife hand sweeping outward push with the left hand (slowly). The hips remain square to the front.

 7) Perform a middle level straight punch with the right hand and then an inside block with the right hand.

 8) Execute a middle level straight punch with the left hand.  Perform a middle level reverse inside block with the left.

 9) Step forward with the right foot into a back stance, with the right hand on top of the left.

10) Step out with the left leg into back stance and execute a middle level knife hand block with the left hand.

 11) Step out with the right leg into back stance and execute a middle level knife hand block with the right hand. Immediately follow that by stepping back into back stance with the right leg and execute a middle level knife hand block with the left hand.

 12) Step out with the left leg into front stance. Move the right hand up from the solar plexus. As it passes the left hand, turn the right palm out to the front and pull it down towards the middle level. The left hand should move with the right after the right hand passes it. Both hands are open with the fingers together. Keep both wrists straight for the entire action.

 13) Raise the right knee up, Pivot to the left 90-degrees on the left foot and execute a lower level side thrust kick with the right leg. As you perform the kick, pull the hands into fists to the right hip.

 14) Turn 180 degrees counter clockwise into a back stance with the left foot forward and execute a middle level left knife hand block.

 15) Step forward with the right leg into back stance (high step) and execute a middle level knife hand block with the right hand.

 16) Draw the right foot back to the left and bring both hands in front of the chest with the palms up.  Perform an upper level rising block with both arms closing the hands into fists as you do so. Simultaneously pick your right knee up to the middle level.  Stomp down with your right foot.

 17) Continue by sliding forward in front stance and execute a middle level punch with the right hand.

 18) Right foot Steps (high) and then sets down. Right hand makes a fist by your right ear and then you turn 180 degrees counter clockwise. Move the left leg laterally and step into a low front stance and execute a lower level spear hand strike with the right hand. Simultaneously the left hand comes up beside the right ear.

 19) Slowly bring the left foot back to the right turning the body 90 degrees to the right (clockwise).   Hands at both hips.

 20) Holding the left hand at the hip, Pivot 180 degrees counter clockwise on the left foot and lift the right foot up, stamp on the floor into horse rider’s stance and swing the right hand down into downward outward strike.

 21) Look the other way, extend left hand first to the right and then pull it to the left until arm is fully extended.

 22) Pick the right knee up to the chest and pivot on the left leg 180-degrees counterclockwise do a crescent kick with the right foot and Stamp on the floor.  Drop into a horse rider’s stance. Simultaneously as you pivot, strike with the right into the left palm. Both arms are held at mid chest level.

 23) Execute a lower downward block with the right hand (the left fist finishes beside the right elbow, no setting action).

 24) Right hand comes to left elbow and then executes another lower level downward block with the right hand (the left fist finishes beside the right elbow, no setting action).

 25) Twist the hips 90 degrees to the right (clockwise) pull both fists to the left hip and step into a right front stance.

 26) Execute a three point strike with the left hand on top. Feet do not move.

 27) Drawing the right foot back next to the left foot and pulling both hands to the right hip.  Raise the left knee to the chest and step/stomp forward 45 degrees to the left into a narrow (no width) left front stance executing a three point strike (left hand low, right hand high).

 28) Draw the left foot back to the right, pulling both hands to the left hip. Sharply raise the right knee, Turn 90 degrees to the right (clockwise) and step/stomp forward with the right leg into a narrow front stance executing a three point strike (right hand low, left hand high).

 29) Pivot 270 degrees counterclockwise on the right foot. Shift the left foot into a left front stance. While turning, swing the right arm out from the side as if striking with the radial side of the right forearm..

 30) Shift your body 180 degrees (clockwise) to the right leg front stance. Swing the left arm. Execute a lower scooping block with the left hand as if striking with the radial side of the left forearm. Exact mirror image of the previous move.

 31) Bring the left leg to the right. Step out 45 degrees to the right with the right leg into back stance and execute a knife hand block with the right hand on top.

 32) Pivot clockwise on the left foot 45 degrees and shift the right foot 90 deg clockwise and end in knife hand block position but weight remains on left foot. Continue to look towards the left.

 33) Continue looking the same way. Bring the right foot to the left, (to just being the left heel) and shift the left foot forward (45 degrees) execute left knife hand block with the (left hand on top).

 34) Pull the left foot back next to the right and hold the right fist with the left hand to return to the starting position.