Taikyoku sono san

Background

Also known as Taikyoku Sandan this is the third in a series of Kata developed by Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate, and used in the many styles that have developed from Shotokan, including Kyokushin and Seido. A modified version of this series is used in Gojo Ryu.

Taikyoku means "First Course" and refers to the fact that they were designed to be the first kata learned.

Form

1. Look 90° left, left foot steps left into left kokutsu dachi, left chudan uchi uke.
2. Step forward into right zenkutsu dachi, chudan oi tsuki.
3. Look over the right shoulder. Right foot steps back. Turn 180° into right kokutsu dachi. right chudan uchi uke.
4. Step forward into left zenkutsu dachi, chudan oi tsuki.
5. Look 90° left. Left foot step back to right, and out to left. Turn into left zenkutsu dachi, left gedan barai.
6. Step forward into right zenkutsu dachi, jodan oi tsuki.
7. Step forward into left zenkutsu dachi, jodan oi tsuki.
8. Step forward into right zenkutsu dachi, jodan oi tsuki. Kaia
9. Left foot swings right 90°, Turn into right kokutsu dachi, left chudan uchi uke
10. Step forward into right zenkutsu dachi, chudan oi tsuki.
11. Look over the right shoulder. Right foot steps back. Turn 180° into right kokutsu dachi. right chudan uchi uke.
12. Step forward into left zenkutsu dachi, chudan oi tsuki.
13. Look 90° left. Left foot step back to right, and out to left. Turn into left zenkutsu dachi, left gedan barai.
14. Step forward into right zenkutsu dachi, jodan oi tsuki.
15. Step forward into left zenkutsu dachi, jodan oi tsuki.
16. Step forward into right zenkutsu dachi, jodan oi tsuki. Kaia
17. Left foot swings right 90°, Turn into right kokutsu dachi, left chudan uchi uke.
18. Step forward into right zenkutsu dachi, chudan oi tsuki.
19. Look over the right shoulder. Right foot steps back. Turn 180° into right kokutsu dachi. right chudan uchi uke.
20. Step forward into left zenkutsu dachi, chudan oi tsuki.