TAIKYOKU SHODAN

       Taikyoku Shodan is the first kata in the Taikyoku series. It is the most basic of all kata and has only 20 moves with three recurring techniques: down block, lunge punch, and front stance.  Although credit is usually given to Gichin Funakoshi as the author of the Taikyoku kata, his son Gigo was largely responsible for their creation. Taikyoku Shodan post-dates Heian Shodan, yet it was designed to be taught before Heian Shodan to further simplify the teaching of kata to young students. Taikyoku Shodan is taught in many styles of karate. Still, many instructors do not teach this kata simply because its pattern is similar to that of Heian Shodan. Technically, Taikyoku kata are not part of the 26 kata that comprise the Shotokan style.
       Taikyoku is often interpreted as meaning "First Cause" or "Basic Ultimate" to denote its basic yet important nature. Tai means "big" or "great," kyoku signifies "extreme" or "ultimate." Therefore, the kata can be translated as "Big Ultimate." Gichin Funakoshi states in his book, Karate-Do Kyohan, that Taikyoku Shodan is the ultimate training kata. Taikyoku is also known as an esoteric term used to describe the Void. The Void is a Buddhist doctrine teaching that life and all things are nothing more than illusions, impermanent in their nature. So too can Taikyoku be viewed, as a form stripped of all complexities and extravagance, leaving only karate's truest and most effective form: move, block, and punch.
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Technique
Translation
Stance
Target
Notes
1
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

2
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

3
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

4
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

5
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

6
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

7
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

8*
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

9
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

10
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

11
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

12
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

13
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

14
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

15
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

16*
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

17
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

18
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

19
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

20
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan