The previous blog was on Kata Tekki Shodan. In this blog, we will look at the Kata Bassai Dai, which is an advanced learner's Kata, bringing into use some advanced techniques and swift movements. The term “Bassai Dai” is translated as “breaching/destroying a fortress”. There’s also a Bassai Sho Kata that you will read about in later episodes, which is essentially a smaller version of the Bassai Dai.

In this Kata, the Karateka uses the following movements:

• Forward stance
• Back stance
• Horse stance
• Turns
• Shin side kicks
• Wrist grabs
• Pulls and throws
• Blocks and breaks
• Double hand punches
• Crescent kicks
• Hammer fists
• Rib attacks
• Groin attacks
• Sweeps

Let’s look at how to execute the Kata. After you bow, go to the standing position and keep your right hand in front of you, closed in a fist. Cover it with your left hand open palm. Say “Bassai Dai” out loud and bring your hands down, proceeding in an arc to lift it till your ear – your leg lifting up and body sideways. Now jump and perform a side block with your right hand, with your left hand providing support.

Next, turn back, take your left leg forward, and perform inner forearm blocks on the left hand and the right hand. Turn back with a left hand outer forearm block and a right hand outer forearm block. Join your legs, look towards your right, perform a quick down block or a strike to the groin.

Turn towards the right, switch to a forward stance, outer forearm block with your right hand and inner forearm block with your left hand. Now straighten your back leg and come to a wide position, the distance between your feet would be around one and a half times shoulder-width.

Breathe and extend your arm (left) slowly, punch with the right hand, shift your weight to your left leg, and perform a short inner forearm block with the right hand. Come back to the wide stance position, then shift your weight to the right leg, and perform short inner forearm block with the left hand.

Now shift your back leg to a heel inside position like you’re about to switch to a back stance, and move forward with a knife hand block. Move forward two more steps with knife hand blocks, and then move back one step. Shift your front leg to a forward stance. Tap a punch down with your left palm and hit with the right palm heel under the wrist. Grab the wrist, pull down towards you, and perform a shin kick.

Fold your leg and perform a knife hand block with right leg backwards. Now step forward, pull your left leg inside, cross your hands, pull back, lift your hands again, fists facing towards you and knees slightly bent. Open your hands, hit forward with a double rib attack, and a short jumping punch.

Now turn back, grab the opponent’s head and deliver a groin attack. Pull your leg back with a slow breathing action. Perform a short outer forearm block, turn and deliver a crescent kick, landing in a horse stance with a short down block. Perform a groin attack, and pull your leg back with a slow breathing action. Perform a short outer forearm block, turn and deliver a crescent kick, landing in a horse stance with a short down block.

Turn towards the back, left hand open, right hand in a fist, breathe slowly. Now deliver a crescent kick to your hand and an elbow strike. Strike downwards (alternating your hands), two more times. Take your hands back to your waist, switch to a forward stance and punch with both hands. Now pull your right leg back, perform a right leg crescent kick and a double hand punch. Move your left leg in a ¾ turn (in a straight line), followed by a long inner forearm block and a back fist. Repeat this on the other leg.

Next shift your weight to a back stance at a 45 degree; then shift 45-degree backwards, followed by a knife hand block scissor move. Come back up, cross your hands and spread them, looking towards the straight line and bow.

As you would’ve realised, the movements in this Kata are a little complex as it is an advanced learner’s Kata. You need to keep practicing until you can get them right. The next blog will introduce Kata Tekki Nidan.