Taikyoku Gedan Instructional Video

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Taikyoku means "first course". It is also, according to a translator of the Karate-Do Kyohan, " a philosophical term denoting the macrocosm before its differentiation into heaven and earth: hence, chaos or the void". Which is interesting, as the first pattern in the Korean style, Tae Kwon Do (ITF) is called Chong Ji which translates to "heaven, the earth".

Taikyoku Gedan - First Course Lower

There is also a middle (chudan) and higher (jodan) block

Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of the Shotokan style, created the original Taikyoku series. The Goju Ryu versions have been modified to reflect elements within the style, such as the sumo ( side straddle ) stance. At Paterson's Karate Works, the beginning student will perform the kata with a walking stance throughout (zenkutsu dachi).

All the Taikyoku patterns follow the basic "H" pattern, and increase slightly in difficulty as more techniques are added.

Professional narration coupled with full and slow motion, split screen instruction. Download or order on CD.