Passai

The Passai kata (modern versions: Bassai dai, Bassai sho, Passai Sho, Passai dai) have possibly resulted in the largest number of confirmed versions than any other karate kata. The origins of this kata are obscure, however there are several theories as to its history. Some researchers believe the Passai kata is related to Chinese Leopard and Lion boxing forms, with some sequences bearing a resemblance to Leopard boxing (the opening blocking / striking movement in cross-legged stance) whereas others are more representative of Lion boxing (open handed techniques and stomping actions). The name itself is thought by some to mean ‘Leopard-Lion’ which would be pronounced "Baoshi" in Mandarin, "Baassai" in Fuzhou dialect and "Pausai" in Quanzhou dialect.

Another theory as to the naming of the kata is that it may represent a person’s name, or is in reference to a fortress (see below). Other historians have noticed the resemblance between some parts of Passai and Wuxing Quan ("Five Element Fist") Kung Fu.

Of the Okinawan versions of Passai, a clear evolutionary link can be seen from Matsumura no Passai (named after the legendary Sokon Matsumura), to Oyadomari no Passai (named after the Tomari-te karate master Kokan Oyadomari), and then onto the Passai of Anko Itosu who popularised karate by introducing it into the curriculum of Okinawan schools. The Matsumura version has a distinct Chinese flavour, whereas the Oyadomari version is more "Okinawanised". It was further modified by Itosu, and is thought to have created a "sho" (Passai sho) form of it. Gichin Funakoshi of Shotokan took it to Japan and taught them as Bassai Dai and Bassai Sho. The Tomari style which incorporated Oyadomari no Passai was passed down the Oyadomari family for three generations, originally taught by a Chinese living in Tomari (possibly named Anan), who “used very light techniques”. Sokon Matsumura also learned Chinese boxing from the military attaches Ason and Iwah at Fuchou.

The Okinawan’s did not have a clear definition for the name "Passai" for Funakoshi to translate into Japanese, so he substituted it with a similar sounding kanji, "Bassai". This can be literally translated to mean "extract from a fortress" or "remove an obstruction". This is thought to be in reference to the power with which the kata should be executed, emphasising energy generation from the hips and waist. However, the designation of Bassai by the Japanese does not appear to have a direct relation to movements in the kata or its origins.

The Shorin-Ryu version of Passai bears a close resemblance to Oyadomari no Passai, and is a much softer kata than Shotokan’s Bassai Dai. Further evidence that Passai has roots in Tomari city is that Bassai Dai starts with the right fist covered by the left hand, like other kata thought to have originated there, such as Jutte, Jion, Jiin and Empi. This hand gesture is a common salutation in China. However, there is some contention between researchers as to if there was a separate Tomari school of karate.

Interestingly, the three Yama zuki near the end of Bassai Dai shape the upper-body like the kanji character for "mountain", so these punches are referred to as "mountain punches". This is a common theme in Shotokan, as Hangetsu and Jutte contain postures resembling this kanji, and some kata supposedly draw kanji on the floor if you follow the Embusen (floor plan).

The suffix -Dai means "large" and -Sho "small". Hence, Passai Sho is a shorter variation on Passai and also bears some resemblances to Bassai Dai, indicating this kata may have been born out of combining elements of Passai and Passai Sho. One notable point is that bunkai describes it as a defense against a bo.

Shotokan practice a "smaller" version of Bassai Dai, called Bassai Sho. Itosu is thought to have created this from a version of Bassai practiced in Shuri city. To confuse matters even more Bassai Sho is written exactly the same way as a Chinese form know as Ba Ji Xiao which has a counterpart form known as Ba Ji Da (from the Ba Ji Ch’uan style), so perhaps this kata pair and the Dai-Sho naming scheme originates from China, invalidating the claim Itosu authored most of the -Sho kata.

References

• Bishop, M. Okinawan Karate (Tuttle, Boston, 1999).
• Redmond, R. Bassai Dai (http://www.24fightingchickens.com/kata/bassaidai.html)
• Redmond, R. Bassai Sho (http://www.24fightingchickens.com/kata/bassaisho.html)
• Swift, J. Roots Of Shotokan: Funakoshi's Original 15 Kata; Part 2 - Pinan, Naihanchi, Kushanku & Passai Kata http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=221)
• Roosen, A. Ko Ken Ryu Syllabus (http://www.kokenryu.com)