Bassai Dai

[Daimyo]

Great post Jiffy - very good context as to the intent of this kata (makes me want to practice it more)!

Question to all regarding the first move. I have been taught that it is an augmented block - but I once had a sempai teach it's bunkai interpretation as a strike. Has anyone else heard this, and if so, isn't this against the Funakoshi principle of karate being "self-defence"?

[Sohan]

Well, I find it interesting that Pinan Shodan (Heian?) ends with 4 defensive blocks, though my sensei says to interpret them as "pushoffs". Can't see that winning a fight, though.

I suppose if it makes sense, a bunkai can be whatever you need it to be.

With respect,

Sohan

[Daimyo]

Hmmm.....interesting food for thought. Why so many Kata's "finishing move" doesn't actually "finish" an opponent when it's a block. For Shotokan, that would include most of the Heians (1, 2, 4).

[Sohan]

We have other kata like that: Ananku and Shimpa Tan, as well as Pinan Yondan, which finish with Shuto blocks (sure, they could be strikes, but I still can't see those flooring Chuck Liddell...) And Bassai Dai also ends in defensive moves in our system.

So is kata a simulated fight, as demonstrated by karate masters, or is it simply a collection of techniques for practice? This is a much-asked question that I never get a consistent answer about.

With respect,

Sohan

[Daimyo]

Maybe the assumption is that when our collective enemies see our awesome fighting moves - they'll all run away like school girls after our last block!

[Daimyo]

Maybe the assumption is that when our collective enemies see our awesome fighting moves - they'll all run away like school girls after our last block!

[cathal]

Well, I find it interesting that Pinan Shodan (Heian?) ends with 4 defensive blocks, though my sensei says to interpret them as "pushoffs". Can't see that winning a fight, though.

I suppose if it makes sense, a bunkai can be whatever you need it to be.

With respect,

Sohan

For us (we use Heian) the bunkai for the last four are block then strike. The First blocks a chudan punch, and as you setup for the next shuto, your arm does a press block, and the second shuto is a strike to the opponent.

[Sohan]

Well, I find it interesting that Pinan Shodan (Heian?) ends with 4 defensive blocks, though my sensei says to interpret them as "pushoffs". Can't see that winning a fight, though.

I suppose if it makes sense, a bunkai can be whatever you need it to be.

With respect,

Sohan

For us (we use Heian) the bunkai for the last four are block then strike. The First blocks a chudan punch, and as you setup for the next shuto, your arm does a press block, and the second shuto is a strike to the opponent.

That's how we do it also.

For practicality, I really never particularly cared for a shuto as a finishing blow, though, as my sensei likes to say, "Perhaps you just don't execute the technique well enough." I just find other techniques far more effective.

With respect,

Sohan

[cathal]

That's how we do it also.

For practicality, I really never particularly cared for a shuto as a finishing blow, though, as my sensei likes to say, "Perhaps you just don't execute the technique well enough." I just find other techniques far more effective.

With respect,

Sohan

One of the reasons I believe for that approach is the angle of attack. The person is coming in quickly on the 45 degrees...you're already in backstance so to me it feels pretty natural.

[jka_guyana]

you guys really know alot. I still have tons to learn.

Bassai Dai is the kata I will be doing to proceed to Shodan (1st dan).

I am currently focusing on the 6 ways of using the hips and how they are used in Bassai Dai. (By the way i'm forgetting the 6 ways, may someone please remind me? ) And then I will apply it.

Sensei Woon-A-Tai has plans to start a Karate college in Guyana:

Guyana Karate College

I am in charge of making the website.

We're trying to bring Guyana back to the powerhouse of Karate it once was. When Sensei Woon-A-Tai left Guyana everything went sub-standard (no disrespect to the black belts that were left in charge, but Sensei Woon-A-Tai was an inspiration to all of them back then.). Now we're going to be working our way up back again. And I am very proud to be a part of this. I seem to be the only 2nd kyu interested in becoming part of it unfortunately, but all of our black belts are ready to help in anyway.

The bi-(or by)laws have been approved and a few signatures and couple dollars more and we will have it ready. But this is just the beginning.

You guys here are really awesome, I spend alot of time roaming around in these forums and reading your post on karate. You really have expertise on it.