Taikyoku
Taikyoku Sono Ichi
太極その一
The first and most fundamental kata in Kyokushin. It teaches basic stances, blocks, and punches in a simple I-shaped pattern.
- Orange Belt
- Beginner
- 20 movements
- I-Shape
- 3D walkthrough
3D walkthrough
The figure performs the kata one movement at a time, and the written instructions below follow along.
3D kata viewer
Taikyoku Sono Ichi, movement by movement
Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom. The figure below walks the kata's embusen — the floor pattern — one movement at a time, in step with the written instructions.
The 3D viewer needs JavaScript. The written steps and the video below cover the same material.
Movement 1 of 22
Yoi - the kata is called from Fudo Dachi and the feet draw together into Musubi Dachi for the formal opening; on the command Yoi, open again into the ready position (dojos differ over whether Yoi itself is taken in Fudo Dachi or Heiko Dachi)
StanceMusubi Dachi
TechniqueYoi
FacingNorth
KiaiSpeed
Camera
Display
Keyboard: space plays or pauses, the left and right arrows step through movements, Home returns to the start.
Autoplay is off because your system asks for reduced motion. Use the step controls to move through the kata.
The line on the mat is the embusen — the kata's floor pattern. The single ring marks the yoi point; the double rings mark the two kiai.
Step-by-Step Guide
22 stepsRead one movement, perform it slowly, then move on.
This kata is counted as 20 movements, while the step list below runs to 22 written lines, so the two numbers differ.
Yoi - the kata is called from Fudo Dachi and the feet draw together into Musubi Dachi for the formal opening; on the command Yoi, open again into the ready position (dojos differ over whether Yoi itself is taken in Fudo Dachi or Heiko Dachi)
Turn 90° to the left into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Gedan Barai (downward block) with left arm
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki (middle lunge punch) with right fist
Turn 180° to the right into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Gedan Barai with right arm
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with left fist
Turn 90° to the left into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Gedan Barai with left arm
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with right fist
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with left fist
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with right fist - Kiai
Turn 270° to the left into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Gedan Barai with left arm
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with right fist
Turn 180° to the right into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Gedan Barai with right arm
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with left fist
Turn 90° to the left into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Gedan Barai with left arm
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with right fist
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with left fist
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with right fist - Kiai
Turn 270° to the left into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Gedan Barai with left arm
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with right fist
Turn 180° to the right into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Gedan Barai with right arm
Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, execute Chudan Oi Tsuki with left fist
Naore - turn 90° to the left, drawing the left foot back into Musubi Dachi, then open to Fudo Dachi
Key Points
The points most worth checking your own performance against.
- Maintain a strong, stable Zenkutsu Dachi throughout the kata
- Execute crisp, clean blocks with proper hip rotation
- Punches should be delivered with full extension and proper breathing
- Keep shoulders relaxed and level during all techniques
- Make sharp 90°, 180° and 270° turns with proper foot placement
- The embusen is the character 工: movement 16 brings you back onto the spot you started from, and movement 20 returns to it again. If it does not, a turn has gone astray
Purpose
To develop basic techniques, proper stance, and understanding of the embusen (floor pattern). This kata builds the foundation for all future kata training.
Practice Video
A full-speed performance, for once the written form makes sense.
Learning order
Kata 1 of 14