| First of a series of five Heian katas, it focuses on basic techniques performed in Zenkutsu-Dachi (front stance). Students learn how to turn, which is a basic foundation of Tai Sabaki (body movement and positioning). The kata is very similar to Taikyoku Shodan (basic kata for beginners’ students) but incorporates different techniques including a Tatsui-Uchi (hammer-fist) and Shutō-Uke (knife-hand block). It is important that students can clearly demonstrate the difference in hip positions between Tsuki (punching) and Uke (blocking): hips to be shomen (square) in tsuki and hanmi (hip open) in uke. |
