"Karate Ni Sente Nashi - There is No First Attack in Karate" - permeates all the kata, which typically open with a defensive move. "Taikyoku" means "First Cause".
Taikyoku Shodan - Gedan barai and Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch). All stances are zenkutsu-dachi. Here is a video from the 1970s illustrating this foundational kata.
Taikyoku Nidan - Gedan barai, Age uke, Oi Zuki. However, chudan punches are replaced by jodan.
Taikyoku Sandan - Uche Uke executed in Kokutsu-Dachi (back stance).
Gichin Funakoshi said that this kata was easily learned by beginners owing to its simplicity. However, he also added that upon mastering karate, the practitioner will return to it as the "ultimate training kata".
Taikyoku Shodan - Gedan barai and Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch). All stances are zenkutsu-dachi. Here is a video from the 1970s illustrating this foundational kata.
Taikyoku Nidan - Gedan barai, Age uke, Oi Zuki. However, chudan punches are replaced by jodan.
Taikyoku Sandan - Uche Uke executed in Kokutsu-Dachi (back stance).
Gichin Funakoshi said that this kata was easily learned by beginners owing to its simplicity. However, he also added that upon mastering karate, the practitioner will return to it as the "ultimate training kata".
