TAIKYOKU NIDAN

       Taikyoku Nidan is performed exactly as Taikyoku Shodan except that all of the punches are directed to the upper level (jodan) instead of the middle level (chudan). Otherwise, these two kata are identical. It is difficult for some to understand why a simple difference in target level would warrant a separate kata; it almost seems redundant. For this reason, many instructors do not teach Taikyoku Nidan. Nevertheless, a karateka should understand that this is a matter of detail. Many students may feel that such a detail is insignificant while others may believe that even the smallest detail can be vital. The Japanese are a very meticulous people (a look at Japanese tea ceremony will confirm this); it is not unreasonable that Taikyoku Nidan was created simply to emphasize the difference between jodan and chudan target areas.
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Technique
Translation
Stance
Target
Notes
1
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

2
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

3
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

4
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

5
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

6
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

7
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

8*
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

9
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

10
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

11
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

12
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

13
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

14
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

15
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

16*
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

17
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

18
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

19
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

20
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan