| Bassai Dai translates as "To storm a fortress" and is | | | | right uchi uke, finishing in the shomen (square) |
| practiced in many styles of karate. There are many | | | | position. |
| variations of the original Passai, which was the original | | | | Bassai dai is great for practicing fast turns and |
| name for Bassai. | | | | changes in direction. One combination in particular, |
| It is believed that there were two versions of Passai | | | | greatly improves the dynamic hip rotation. |
| practiced on Okinawa. | | | | 1.From the left tate shuto shizentai (left edge of the |
| Karate master, Sokon Matsumrua brought one Passai | | | | hand in natural stance), punch chokuzuki followed by |
| kata to Okinawa, from China and the other was | | | | a right arm uchi uke. Keep the body and hips sill and |
| taught to Okan Oyadomari on Okinawa, by a Chinese | | | | square, as you bend the right punching arm in |
| martial artist, who resided there. | | | | preparation for the uchi uke. |
| The one we are referring to here, is the shotokan | | | | 2. You should be standing in natural stance with the |
| Bassai Dai, which many believe came from the Okan | | | | right arm bent across the chest. Now, as you block, |
| Oyadomari lineage. | | | | pivot strongly, 90 degrees to the left, into a very |
| In many shotokan karate dojo, Bassai dai is the first | | | | small front stance. To do this fast, the hips must be |
| intermediate brown belt kata that a new brown belt | | | | rotated strongly, this is a great exercise for working |
| karateka practices. Many shotokan karateka use | | | | on dynamic hip rotation. |
| Bassai dai to test for all their brown belt examinations | | | | There are also some unusual karate moves in this |
| and indeed, the coveted black belt test. | | | | kata. Yamazuki (U punch), the three consecutive low |
| The first move in the kata, epitomizes the whole | | | | punches in kibadachi, the two sweeping blocks in a |
| kata. A very strong move, driving forward off the | | | | long front stance after the yamazuki. The slow grab |
| left leg, with a knee attack and strike. | | | | and fumikomi (stamping kick), and the slow pull up, |
| This karate kata also has some fast double block | | | | with both hands cupped, then rolling into two fists |
| combinations. After the first move, there is a pause, | | | | above the head. |
| then a 180 degree turn, with a double uchi uke. First | | | | This kata should be practiced thoroughly in your |
| block is with the lead left arm, so the body ends up | | | | karate classes, because Bassai dai is shotokan karate! |
| in the hanmi (side on) position, the second block is a | | | | |