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Bassai-dai - to storm a fortress - is normally the first Kata learned after a student achieves their 3rd Kyu (brown belt). It uses a wide range of movements and stances, and must be undertaken strongly, with plenty of spirit.
The Kata exercises the following moves and stances, in sequence, and takes around 80 seconds to complete at high speed:
Count |
Move |
Stance |
|---|---|---|
| Rei | Musubi Dachi | |
| Yoi | Uchi Hachiji Dachi | |
| Kata Yoi | Heisoku Dachi | |
| 1 | Migi Morote Uchi Ude Uke | Kosa Dachi |
| 2 | Hidari Chudan Uchi Uke | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 3 | Migi Gyaku Chudan Uchi Uke | Gyaku Hanmi (Zenkutsu) |
| 4 | Hidari Gyaku Chudan Soto Uke | Gyaku Hanmi (Zenkutsu) |
| 5 | Migi Chudan Uchi Uke | Gyaku Hanmi (Zenkutsu) |
| 6 | Gedan Sukui Uke | Heisoku Dachi |
| 7 | Jodan nagashi Uke | Heisoku Dachi |
| 8 | Migi Chudan Soto Uke | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 9 | Hidari Gyaku Chudan Uchi Uke | Gyaku Hanmi (Zenkutsu) |
| 10 | Koshi Gamae | Uchi Hachiji Dachi |
| 11 | Hidari Chudan Tate Shuto | Uchi Hachiji Dachi |
| 12 | Migi Chudan Zuki | Uchi Hachiji Dachi |
| 13 | Migi Chudan uchi Uke | |
| 14 | Hidari Chudan Zuki | Uchi Hachiji Dachi |
| 15 | Hidari Chudan Uchi Uke | |
| 16 | Migi Chudan Shuto uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 17 | Hidari Chudan Shuto Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 18 | Migi Chudan Shuto Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 19 | Hidari Chudan Shuto Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 20 | Migi Tsukami Uke, Hidari Soete | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 21 | Gedan Kekomi (KIAI) | |
| 22 | Hidari Chudan Shuto Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 23 | Migi Chudan Shuto Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 24 | Morote Age Uke / Tsukami | Heisoku Dachi |
| 25 | Chudan Tettsui Uchi | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 26 | Migi Chudan Oi Zuki | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 27 | Hidari Nagashi Uku, Migi Gedan Shuto Uke | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 28 | Manji Gamae | Haisoku Dachi |
| 29 | Fumikomi Geri | |
| 30 | Migi Gedan Barai | Kiba Dachi |
| 31 | Hidari Chudan Haishu Uke | Kiba Dachi |
| 32 | Migi Mikazuki Geri | |
| 33 | Migi Mae Mawashi Empi Uchi | Kiba Dachi |
| 34 | Migi Mae Gedan Barai, Hidari Soete | Kiba Dachi |
| 35 | Hidari Mae Gedan Barai, Migi Soete | Kiba Dachi |
| 36 | Migi Mae Gedan Barai, Hidari Soete | Kiba Dachi |
| 37 | Hidari Hikitae Gamai | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 38 | Yama Zuki | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 39 | Migi Koshi Gamai | Heisoku Dachi |
| 40 | Hidari Mikazuki Geri | |
| 41 | Yama Zuki | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 42 | Hidari Koshi Gamai | Heisoku Dachi |
| 43 | Migi Mikazuki Geri | |
| 44 | Yama Zuki | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 45 | Migi Gedan Sukui Uke | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 46 | Hidari Gedan Sukui Uke | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 47 | Migi Chudan Shuto Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 48 | Migi Chudan Shuto Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 49 | Hidari Chudan Shuto Uke (KIAI) | Kokutsu Dachi |
| Kata Yoi | Heisoku Dachi | |
| Yame | Uchi Hachiji Dachi | |
| Rei | Musubi Dachi |