Bassai-Dai Bunkai

[cathal]

To follow up the thread on Bassai-Dai earlier I wanted to see what different kinds of bunkai you might have/know for this kata. I'm mainly interested in seeing if anyone is incorporating throws, take-downs etc rather than the basic application one might see with simple blocks/strikes.

The reason I'm asking is to see what differences there are out there for this kata. I've seen some very creative bunkai.

[alsey]

i don't practice bassai dai much, and its hard to describe exactly what movements i'm talking about with just text, but i'll give it a go.

the first movement: the opponent's wrist is grasped with one hand and their hand pushed back with your other hand, locking the wrist. move forward, dropping the opponent to the ground.

one of my favorite parts of the kata, where you turn and perform mikazuki-geri and gedan-barai (in the middle of the kata); i would interpret as a hip throw. a few moves later there is another mikazuki-geri followed by empi-uchi; i would interpret this is a trip, then an elbow strike to the head as the opponent goes down. early in the kata there is a turning soto-uke, then uch-uke followed by sukui-uke; textbook winding throws. bassai, as i see it, is a very throw-heavy kata. all the big stomping moves and turns are throws IMO.

plus there are all the 'standard' moves; uchi-uke, soto-uke, shuto-uke, which can be applied in various ways as joint attacks and locks.

Edited August 9, 2006 by alsey

[AngelaG]

You can see an example of the kind of bunkai we look at in my dojo, with a sampler of my Sensei's book available for download:

http://www.karateacademy.co.uk/bassaisampler.pdf

It also shows the kind of bunkai we don't do!

[Jiffy]

There are several parts of the kata that CAN BE INTERPRETED as throws.

(I put that in caps because I thought it was important to stress that I believe bunkai should be an expression of the person practising it)

6th and 7th movement, when blocking Soto Uke at 3 oclock to the starting position. Can be a scoop of a Mae Geri which with the step forward can be a leg break or a throw.

After the 17th movement (stepping back with Shuto Uke) that can be a throw. The arm is grabbed with the circular movement, a Yoko Geri is delivered to the thigh to weaken it (if you deliver to the knee, there will be no need for a throw), then as you turn with the shoto in the Kata, you would be stepping behined their leg and performing an Osoto-Gari throw.

On the 25th movement (after the disengage, then rib strike, then punch) as you turn with the right hand doing Nukite downwards and the left hand on the shoulder... The left hand is doing a block to a Jodan Oi Tskuki. At the same time, the right hand performs Nukite to the groin. On the next movement, the right hand grabbs hold of the testicles, as you pull them out and up, the left hand pushes down across the throat as the left foot sweeps their right leg with Ashi Berai.

On the 39th and 40th movements (where we do the low Uchi Uke facing the front after the cresent kicks with double punches) this could be a catch, deflect and throw of a kick as in the first example.

On the 42nd movement (second to last movement where we turn with Shuto Uke the oposite way). This could also be a throw. They have punched with left Oi Tsuki, we block with Shuto, then as we do the turn, our right foot is placed by theirs and we perform a Tsasi-suri Komi Ashi throw.

Obviously these are very literal translations and are just one of many interpretations, but at least food for thought.

[bushido_man96]

I like this thread, guys. As I mentioned before, we don't do bunkai at my school, so I like to get insight on this kind of stuff.

[GOM]

6th and 7th movement, when blocking Soto Uke at 3 oclock to the starting position. Can be a scoop of a Mae Geri which with the step forward can be a leg break or a throw.

When would someone perform a mae geri in the street? I don't buy into the whole karate v karate application of kata.

The application for this type of movement we use is a lapel grab from the front. After being seized, immediately spit in the face, flick to the groin, grab the attackers hand and use the scooping motion to lock the arm up and follow with whatever your preference is.

[bushido_man96]

I think it would be beneficial to be able to apply defenses against both trained and untrained attackers, and by looking at the various posts here, the bunkai can vary enough to allow one to do this. It is good to try to prepare for as many variables as you can!

[shotochem]

Heres a cool one for ya.

At the part with where you are at the hand in fist position (I forget the name) right before the 3 mountain punches (Double fist) to the rear.

First one while stepping in with right top hand block and strike to face bottom hand to solar plex

Second one step left top fist to face bottom to groin

third one top hand grabbs shoulder bottom grabsbetween legs while you slide in to a firemans carry and throw opponent over you head(shoulder)

following with scooping motion backfist to opponent on ground.

Its much easier to demonstrate in person.

[cathal]

For moves 27-30 has anyone seen an application such that the performer rotates their body away from a punch to grab the attacker with their legs? I saw this application online in a video search.

It's kind of hard to explain but here goes. The leg which is up and coming down instead goes around the attacker's abdomen and then the other leg lifts up off the ground and to the other side, then the performer uses their weight to take down the attacker. The gedan berai would, in this case, be a strike to the head of the attacker.

Then the performer gets up for the next series of movements.

Does anyone think this is a good application of the kata? Or perhaps is there another application you recommend?

[Jiffy]

Which movement is that in the Kata?

Sorry.