Shotokan Kihon Kata 1 (Taikyoku Shodan) – Instructions & Videos

This page provides videos and instructions for Shotokan kata – Taikyoku Shodan. This kata is also known as Shotokan Kihon Kata 1. This introductory kata is used by some Shotokan schools as a training tool for low-level color belt students (non-black belt) in order to learn basic Shotokan techniques (i.e. punches & blocks). This kihon kata should not be confused with the first “official” Shotokan kata – Heian Shodan.

This information on this page is designed to help students pass their belt tests. It has video instructions for this kata so you can watch the kata performed by experts. There are also written step-by-step instructions for this kihon kata located at the bottom of the page. This Shotokan kata focuses on Gedan Barai (low or downward blocks) and Chudan Oi Zuki (middle lunge punches). For information on other Shotokan katas, please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Shotokan Karate Katas section.

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Demonstration Video of Shotokan Kata – Taikyoku Shodan

Instructional Video of Shotokan Kata – Taikyoku Shodan

Written Instructions for Shotokan Kata – Taikyoku Shodan

These instructions are copyright protected & may not be copied.

  • Ready stance
  • Turn left 90 degrees, left front stance, left low (downward) block
  • Step forward, right front stance, right middle lunge punch
  • Turn right 180 degrees, right front stance, right low (downward) block
  • Step forward, left front stance, left middle lunge punch
  • Turn left 90 degrees, left front stance, left low (downward) block
  • Step forward, right front stance, right middle lunge punch
  • Step forward, left front stance, left middle lunge punch
  • Step forward, right front stance, right middle lunge punch, yell Kiai
  • Turn left 270 degrees, left front stance, left low (downward) block
  • Step forward, right front stance, right middle lunge punch
  • Turn right 180 degrees, right front stance, right low (downward) block
  • Step forward, left front stance, left middle lunge punch
  • Turn left 90 degrees, left front stance, left low (downward) block
  • Step forward, right front stance, right middle lunge punch
  • Step forward, left front stance, left middle lunge punch
  • Step forward, right front stance, right middle lunge punch, yell Kiai
  • Turn left 270 degrees, left front stance, left low (downward) block
  • Step forward, right front stance, right middle lunge punch
  • Turn right 180 degrees, right front stance, right low (downward) block
  • Step forward, left front stance, left middle lunge punch
  • Return to ready stance

Related Pages

Other Shotokan Kata Resources

if you need more help with your kata, we would suggest looking at our section on the best Shotokan books. These Shotokan books provide detailed kata instruction and tips.

Reference Sources

  1. Written instructions for Shotokan Kata Taikyoku Shodan are courtesy of Black Belt Wiki and may not be copied or reproduced.