Rainhill Kase Ha Shotokan Karate Academy

Bassai Dai - "To Penetrate the Fortress"

The focus of Bassai Dai is the idea of changing “disadvantage” into “advantage” by a strong and courageous response, switching blocks and differing degrees of power.

Bassai Dai introduces new techniques including:

chudan tate shuto uchi uke (middle level vertical inside outward sword hand block),
chudan choku tsuki (middle level straight punch),
ryo sho tsukami uke (two handed grasping block),
gedan sokuto kekomi (lower level sword foot thrust kick),
morote jodan uke (double rising block).

Embusen

There are two kiai points in Bassai Dai:

On the gedan sokuto kekomi (lower level sword foot thrust kick) which occurs on the last movement at the top of the embusen.
On the last movement of the kata, a chudan shuto tsuki (middle level sword hand strike).

Tempo (speed)

The tempo of the kata demonstrated below has not been changed for filming. Everyone has their own tempo, however, it should remain similar for all forms/variations.

Demonstration of Kata

Demonstration of Kata Variations

Apart from the common "Omote" (front facing), way of performing kata (as shown above), kata can also be performed, "Ura" (opposite), "Go" (defensive) and "Go no Ura" (defensive opposite). Students will be required to be perform kata variations in advanced gradings.

Sensei Kase introduced these variations explaining that performing kata ura, go, or go no ura is closer to actual application in real fighting circumstances.

"The simplest things are often the most complex, yet their complexity is usually unravelled when viewed by an open mind".