BASSAI SHO
Another one of Yasutsune Itosu's "second editions," Bassai Sho is the smaller version of "Penetrating a Fortress," having fewer movements and a slightly smaller frame than its predecessor, Bassai Dai. Since there exist many different versions of Bassai kata, it is uncertain which one Itosu used as a model for Bassai Sho. It is entirely possible that Bassai Sho is simply one of the different versions of Bassai and was imported by Itosu. In either case, Bassai Sho is similar to Bassai Dai in its embusen and style of movement. While Bassai Dai is a very heavy kata that uses very large movements to demonstrate outer strength and power, the smaller techniques of Bassai Sho should exhibit an inner calm and energy.
Many of the kata's applications involve defenses against stick attacks. The kata uses many grasping (tiger-mouth) blocks to that effect. Although Bassai Sho contains standard techniques found in other kata, they are performed is a very unusual manner. For example, using the back of the hand for awase-uke, or performing double tsukami-uke vertically. New adaptations for previously learned techniques are prevalent in Bassai Sho. The kata has a total count of 27 and, although at one time the kiai points were on moves #17 and #25 (Best Karate #9), presently they are on moves #17 and #22.
#
|
Technique
|
Translation
|
Stance
|
Target
|
Notes
|
1
|
ryosho-koho-awase-uke &
ryosho-juji-awase-uke
|
pressing block behind &
combined backhand block
|
--
kosa-dachi
|
--
jodan
|
|
2
|
ryosho-bo-uke &
suihei-bo-dori
|
both palms stick block &
horizontal stick grab
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
--
|
suihei slow speed
|
3
|
haito-sukui-uke &
gedan-barai
|
ridgehand scooping block &
down block
|
heisoku-dachi
|
gedan
gedan
|
|
4
|
ryosho-bo-uke &
suihei-bo-dori
|
both palms stick block &
horizontal stick grab
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
--
|
suihei slow speed
|
5
|
ryote-koshi-kamae
|
both hands on hip posture
|
heisoku-dachi
|
--
|
|
6
|
haito-yoko-mawashi-uchi /
yoko-geri-keage
|
sideways ridge-hand strike /
side snap kick
|
ashi-dachi
|
jodan
chudan
|
|
7
|
tate-shuto-uke
|
vertical knife-hand block
|
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
8
|
tsuki (choku-zuki)
|
punch (straight punch)
|
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
9
|
tsuki (choku-zuki)
|
punch (straight punch)
|
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
10
|
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke (manji-uke)
|
inside block /
down block (swirling block)
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
gedan
|
|
11
|
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke (manji-uke)
|
inside block /
down block (swirling block)
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
gedan
|
|
12
|
shuto-uke
|
knife-hand block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
13
|
shuto-uke
|
knife-hand block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
14
|
shuto-uke
|
knife-hand block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
15
|
shuto-uke
|
knife-hand block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
16
|
ryosho-tsukami-uke
(bassai-uke)
|
both palms grasping block
|
ashi-zenkutsu
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
17*
|
sokuto-kekomi /
ryosho-tsukamiyose
|
sword-foot thrust kick /
both palms grasping-pulling
|
ashi-dachi
|
gedan
--
|
|
18
|
ryoken-kakiwake-uke
|
both fists wedge block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
19
|
ryoken-ura-zuki
|
both fists inverted punch
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
yori-ashi
|
20
|
soto-uke / deashi-barai &
ryoken-koshi-kamae &
morote-sokumen-zuki
|
outside block / foot sweep &
both fists on hip posture &
double-hand punch to side
|
ashi-dachi
ashi-dachi
kiba-dachi
|
jodan
--
chudan
|
|
21
|
kentsui-uchi-mawashi-uchi
|
inside hammer-fist strike
|
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
22*
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
23
|
soto-uke / deashi-barai &
ryoken-koshi-kamae &
morote-sokumen-zuki
|
outside block / foot sweep &
both fists on hip posture &
double-hand punch to side
|
ashi-dachi
ashi-dachi
kiba-dachi
|
jodan
--
chudan
|
|
24
|
soto-uke / deashi-barai &
ryoken-koshi-kamae &
morote-sokumen-zuki
|
outside block / foot sweep &
both fists on hip posture &
double-hand punch to side
|
ashi-dachi
ashi-dachi
kiba-dachi
|
jodan
--
chudan
|
|
25
|
soto-uke / deashi-barai &
ryoken-koshi-kamae &
morote-sokumen-zuki
|
outside block / foot sweep &
both fists on hip posture &
double-hand punch to side
|
ashi-dachi
ashi-dachi
kiba-dachi
|
jodan
--
chudan
|
|
26
|
ryosho-tsukami-uke
|
both palms grasping block
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
27
|
ryosho-tsukami-uke
|
both palms grasping block
|
neko-ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
