BASSAI SHO

Another one of Yasutsune Itosu's "second editions," Bassai Sho is the smaller version of
"Penetrating a Fortress," having fewer movements and a slightly smaller frame than its
predecessor, Bassai Dai. Since there exist many different versions of Bassai kata, it is
uncertain which one Itosu used as a model for Bassai Sho. It is entirely possible that Bassai
Sho is simply one of the different versions of Bassai and was imported by Itosu. In either
case, Bassai Sho is similar to Bassai Dai in its embusen and style of movement.
While Bassai Dai is a very heavy kata that uses very large movements to demonstrate outer
strength and power, the smaller techniques of Bassai Sho should exhibit an inner calm and
energy.
Many of the kata's applications involve defenses against stick attacks. The kata uses
many grasping (tiger-mouth) blocks to that effect. Although Bassai Sho contains standard
techniques found in other kata, they are performed is a very unusual manner. For example,
using the back of the hand for awase-uke, or performing double tsukami-uke vertically. New
adaptations for previously learned techniques are prevalent in Bassai Sho. The kata has a
total count of 27 and, although at one time the kiai points were on moves #17 and #25 (Best
Karate #9), presently they are on moves #17 and #22.

# Technique Translation Stance Targe Notes

t
1 ryosho-koho- pressing block -- --
awase-uke & behind & kosa-dachi jodan
ryosho-juji- combined
awase-uke backhand block
2 ryosho-bo-uke & both palms stick kokutsu- jodan suihei slow
suihei-bo-dori block & dachi -- speed
horizontal stick
grab
3 haito-sukui-uke ridgehand heisoku- gedan
& scooping block & dachi gedan
gedan-barai down block
4 ryosho-bo-uke & both palms stick kokutsu- jodan suihei slow
suihei-bo-dori block & dachi -- speed
horizontal stick
grab
5 ryote-koshi- both hands on hip heisoku- --
kamae posture dachi

6 haito-yoko- sideways ridge- ashi-dachi jodan

mawashi-uchi / hand strike / chuda
yoko-geri-keage side snap kick n
7 tate-shuto-uke vertical knife- kiba-dachi chuda slow speed
hand block n
8 tsuki (choku- punch (straight kiba-dachi chuda
 zuki) punch) n

9 tsuki (choku- punch (straight kiba-dachi chuda

zuki) punch) n

10 uchi-uke / inside block / kokutsu- jodan

gedan-uke down block dachi gedan
(manji-uke) (swirling block)
11 uchi-uke / inside block / kokutsu- jodan
gedan-uke down block dachi gedan
(manji-uke) (swirling block)
12 shuto-uke knife-hand block kokutsu- chuda
dachi n
13 shuto-uke knife-hand block kokutsu- chuda
dachi n
14 shuto-uke knife-hand block kokutsu- chuda
dachi n
15 shuto-uke knife-hand block kokutsu- chuda
dachi n
16 ryosho-tsukami- both palms ashi- chuda slow speed
uke grasping block zenkutsu n
(bassai-uke)
17 sokuto-kekomi / sword-foot thrust ashi-dachi gedan
* ryosho- kick / --
tsukamiyose both palms
grasping-pulling
18 ryoken- both fists wedge kokutsu- chuda
kakiwake-uke block dachi n

19 ryoken-ura-zuki both fists inverted kokutsu- jodan yori-ashi

punch dachi
20 soto-uke / outside block / ashi-dachi jodan
deashi-barai & foot sweep & ashi-dachi --
ryoken-koshi- both fists on hip kiba-dachi chuda
kamae & posture & n
morote- double-hand
sokumen-zuki punch to side
21 kentsui-uchi- inside hammer- kiba-dachi chuda
mawashi-uchi fist strike n

22 oi-zuki lunge punch zenkutsu- chuda

* dachi n
23 soto-uke / outside block / ashi-dachi jodan
deashi-barai & foot sweep & ashi-dachi --
ryoken-koshi- both fists on hip kiba-dachi chuda
kamae & posture & n
morote- double-hand
sokumen-zuki punch to side
24 soto-uke / outside block / ashi-dachi jodan
deashi-barai & foot sweep & ashi-dachi --
ryoken-koshi- both fists on hip kiba-dachi chuda
kamae & posture & n
morote- double-hand
sokumen-zuki punch to side
25 soto-uke / outside block / ashi-dachi jodan
deashi-barai & foot sweep & ashi-dachi --
ryoken-koshi- both fists on hip kiba-dachi chuda
kamae & posture & n
morote- double-hand
sokumen-zuki punch to side
26 ryosho-tsukami- both palms neko-ashi- chuda slow speed
uke grasping block dachi n

27 ryosho-tsukami- both palms neko-ashi- chuda slow speed

uke grasping block dachi n