GOJUSHIHO DAI
Gojushiho Dai, or "Fifty-Four Steps Big," is the longer and more complex of the two Gojushiho kata. At 67 counts, it is the lengthiest of Shotokan kata, beating Gojushiho Sho (and Kanku Dai) by two moves. Its surplus of movements over its twin can basically be accounted for by the inclusion of two techniques in Gojushiho Dai that are not present in Gojushiho Sho: koko-sukui-uke/tsukidashi and washide. Washide, or "eagle-hand," is a precise attack using all five fingertips pressed together in the shape of a bird's beak to strike an opponent's pressure points. Outside of this kata, washide does not exist in Shotokan.
Gojushiho Dai has a smaller frame than its twin, mostly due to its "trademark set" of kitsutsuki-no-kamae, keito-nagashi-uke, and otoshi-ippon-nukite. It was probably due to this particular set of techniques that Gichin Funakoshi thought to rename the kata Hotaku, or "Woodpecker." Essentially, the larger frame of the ryuun (flowing cloud) set of Gojushiho Sho is replaced by the smaller kitsutsuki (woodpecker) set of Gojushiho Dai. The grand style of ryuun-no-uke is replaced by the smaller curving keito-uke; the long shihon-tate-nukite are exchanged for shorter otoshi-ippon-nukite; and the big zenkutsu-dachi and kokutsu-dachi are traded for the much smaller neko-ashi-dachi. Gojushiho Dai has more techniques executed in neko-ashi-dachi than any other Shotokan kata. Along with Unsu, it is one of only two Shotokan kata (excluding Tekki, of course) that have no kokutsu-dachi at all. This can prove difficult for Shotokan karateka who generally practice kokutsu-dachi to a much greater extent, often neglecting the practice of neko-ashi-dachi. One of the more difficult aspects of the kata occurs when changing direction from one neko-ashi-dachi to another; many students tend to have difficulty maintaining balance throughout.
Striking with the fingers is the norm for Gojushiho Dai so one must have an understanding of an opponent's vital areas. As a final note, since it is entirely possible that the Gojushiho kata originated from China, perhaps one may be able to see the movements of the snake (one of the five animals of Shaolin kung fu) in this kata. The keito and nukite techniques can easily be compared to the snake techniques of kung fu; and the zigzag pattern at the beginning of the kata...
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|
Technique
|
Translation
|
Stance
|
Target
|
Notes
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1
|
mizu-nagare-uraken-kamae
(uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi)
|
water flowing back-fist posture (vertical back-fist strike)
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
2
|
morote-tate-uke-zuki
|
both hands vertical block-punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
3
|
morote-tate-uke-zuki
|
both hands vertical block-punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
4
|
tate-shuto-uke
|
vertical knife-hand block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
5
|
gyaku-zuki
|
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
6
|
tsuki
(oi-zuki)
|
punch
(lunge punch)
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
7
|
mae-geri
|
front kick
|
ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
8
|
gyaku-zuki
|
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
9
|
tate-shuto-uke
|
vertical knife-hand block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
10
|
gyaku-zuki
|
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
11
|
tsuki
(oi-zuki)
|
punch
(lunge punch)
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
12
|
mae-geri
|
front kick
|
ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
13
|
gyaku-zuki
|
reverse punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
14
|
tate-empi-uchi
|
vertical elbow strike
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
|
15
|
koko-sukui-uke /
koko-tsukidashi
|
tiger-mouth scooping block /
tiger-mouth thrust
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
gedan
|
|
16
|
kitsutsuki-no-kamae
(keito-uke)
|
woodpecker posture
(chicken-head wrist block)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
17
|
keito-nagashi-uke
(keito-mimi-yoko)
|
chicken-head flowing blow
(chicken-head beside ear)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
18
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
19
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
20
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
21
|
kitsutsuki-no-kamae
(keito-uke)
|
woodpecker posture
(chicken-head wrist block)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
22
|
keito-nagashi-uke
(keito-mimi-yoko)
|
chicken-head flowing blow
(chicken-head beside ear)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
23
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
24
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
25
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
26
|
haito-uke
|
ridge-hand block
|
kiba-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
27
|
jotai-sonomama
|
upper body as is
|
--
|
--
|
kosa-ashi
slow speed
|
28
|
ryosho-naname-bo-uke &
ryoken-gedan-naname
|
palms diagonal stick block &
fists diagonally downward
|
ashi-dachi
kiba-dachi
|
jodan
gedan
|
|
29
|
haito-uke
|
ridge-hand block
|
kiba-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
30
|
jotai-sonomama
|
upper body as is
|
--
|
--
|
kosa-ashi
slow speed
|
31
|
ryosho-naname-bo-uke &
ryoken-gedan-naname
|
palms diagonal stick block &
fists diagonally downward
|
ashi-dachi
kiba-dachi
|
jodan
gedan
|
|
32
|
kitsutsuki-no-kamae
(keito-uke)
|
woodpecker posture
(chicken-head wrist block)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
33
|
keito-nagashi-uke
(keito-mimi-yoko)
|
chicken-head flowing blow
(chicken-head beside ear)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
34
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
35
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
36
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
37
|
shuto-uchikomi
|
knife-hand thrusting strike
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
nukite variation
|
38
|
uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi
|
vertical back-fist strike
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
39
|
shuto-uchikomi
|
knife-hand thrusting strike
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
nukite variation
|
40
|
uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi
|
vertical back-fist strike
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
41
|
washide-otoshi-uchi
|
eagle-hand dropping strike
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
42
|
washide-tsuki-age
|
eagle-hand rising thrust
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
|
43
|
mae-geri
|
front kick
|
ashi-dachi
|
jodan
|
|
44
|
ken-kata-ue /
tsuki
|
fist above shoulder /
punch
|
ashi-dachi
|
--
chudan
|
|
45
|
gedan-barai /
empi-uchi
|
down block /
elbow strike
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
jodan
|
|
46
|
kitsutsuki-no-kamae
(keito-uke)
|
woodpecker posture
(chicken-head wrist block)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
47
|
keito-nagashi-uke
(keito-mimi-yoko)
|
chicken-head flowing blow
(chicken-head beside ear)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
48
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
49
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
50
|
otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
dropping one-finger spear-hand
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
51
|
haito-uke
|
ridge-hand block
|
kiba-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
52
|
jotai-sonomama
|
upper body as is
|
--
|
--
|
kosa-ashi
slow speed
|
53
|
tate-shuto-uke &
shihon-tate-nukite /
hari-empi-koshi-kamae
|
vertical knife-hand block &
4-finger vertical spear-hand / elbow guard hip posture
|
ashi-dachi
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
chudan
--
|
|
54
|
haito-uke
|
ridge-hand block
|
kiba-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
55
|
jotai-sonomama
|
upper body as is
|
--
|
--
|
kosa-ashi
slow speed
|
56
|
tate-shuto-uke &
shihon-tate-nukite /
hari-empi-koshi-kamae
|
vertical knife-hand block &
4-finger vertical spear-hand / elbow guard hip posture
|
ashi-dachi
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
chudan
--
|
|
57
|
mizu-nagare-uraken-kamae
(uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi)
|
water flowing back-fist posture (vertical back-fist strike)
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
58
|
kentsui-uchi-mawashi-uchi
|
inside hammer-fist strike
|
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
59*
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
60
|
ryo-hiji-suhei-kamae
|
horizontal elbows posture
|
hachiji-dachi
|
--
|
slow speed
fast variation
|
61
|
ryo-kentsui-koho-hasami-uchi
|
both hammer-fists rear scissors strike
|
hachiji-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
62
|
ryo-hiji-suhei-kamae
|
horizontal elbows posture
|
hachiji-dachi
|
--
|
|
63
|
ryoken-sonomama
|
both fists as is
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
--
|
|
64
|
ryosho-kakiwake-uke
|
both palms wedge block
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
gedan
|
slow speed
|
65
|
ryote keito-uke
|
both hands chicken-head wrist block
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
66*
|
ryo-otoshi-ippon-nukite
|
both dropping one-finger spear-hands
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
67
|
kitsutsuki-no-kamae
(keito-uke)
|
woodpecker posture
(chicken-head wrist block)
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
