Gekisai Dai Ichi Kata with Instructions

The southern Kata have their origins in Goju Ryu karate, which Oyama learned while training under So Nei Chu and Gogen Yamaguchi.

Gekisai (Conquer and Occupy) means conquer and occupy.  The name is derived from the characters Geki 撃, meaning defeat or conquer, and Sai 塞, meaning fortress or stronghold (literally translated as “closed”, “shut” or “covered”).  The word Gekisai can also mean demolish, destroy or pulverize. There are two Gekisai katas, Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni. These Katas teach strength through fluidity of motion, mobility and the utilization of various techniques.  Flexibility of attack and response will always be superior to rigid, static and inflexible strength.

Gekisai Dai Ichi is the first Kata for Goju-Ryu Karate and means “Attack & Destroy One”.

Written Gekisai Dai Ichi Kata Instructions (visual aid below)

1. No Formal Open
2. LEFT 90 DEGREE COUNTER-CLOCKWISE TURN, DO A UP-BLOCK.
3. STEP, DO A MID-THRUST.
4. STEP BACK INTO A STRADDLE STANCE WITH RIGHT LEG, EXECUTE A SIDE FACING LOW BLOCK (WITH LEFT HAND).
5. RIGHT 180 DEGREE CLOCKWISE TURN, SHIFT INTO A FORWARD STANCE, DO A UP BLOCK.
6. STEP, DO A MID THRUST.
7. STEP BACK INTO A STRADDLE STANCE WITH LEFT LEG, EXECUTE A SIDE FACING LOW BLOCK (WITH RIGHT HAND).
8. STEP FORWARD WITH LEFT FOOT, DO A MID BLOCK
9. STEP, DO A MID BLOCK
10. KICK TO THE FACE AND STEP INTO A FORWARD STANCE, WITH LEFT ARM UPWARD ELBOW TO THE CHIN, BACK FIST TO FACE, LOW BLOCK, LOW THRUST WITH RIGHT FIST TO GROIN. 10. 180 DEGREE TURN, KNIFE HAND TO THROAT, FOOT EDGE TO KNEE (AT THE SAME TIME) WITH RIGHT ARM AND LEG, STEP INTO STRADDLE STANCE.
11. STEP FORWARD WITH REAR FOOT INTO A FORWARD STANCE, DO A MID BLOCK.
12. KICK TO THE FACE AND STEP INTO A FORWARD STANCE, WITH RIGHT ARM UPWARD ELBOW TO THE CHIN, BACK FIST TO FACE, LOW BLOCK, LOW THRUST WITH LEFT FIST TO GROIN.
13. 180 DEGREE TURN, KNIFE HAND TO THROAT, FOOT EDGE TO KNEE (AT THE SAME TIME) WITH THE LEFT ARM AND LEG, STEP INTO A STRADDLE STANCE.
14. WITH LEFT FOOT COMPLETE A 135 DEGREE COUNTER CLOCKWISE TURN, PIVOTING INTO A FRONT STANCE. SIMULTANEOUSLY DO AN INVERTED THRUST TO THE GROIN AND A HIGH THRUST TO THE FACE.
15. STEP UP INTO START POSITION, CLOSED FISTS PALMS TOGETHER
16. STEP BACK AT A 45 DEGREE, WITH RIGHT FOOT, INTO A FORWARD STANCE SIMULTANEOUSLY DO AN INVERTED THRUST TO THE GROIN AND A HIGH THRUST TO THE FACE, FROM THE RIGHT HIP.
17. STEP FORWARD, CLOSE
18. BOW.

• Alternative Steps: There are slight variations at different schools that do not compromise the integrity of the form and are based on personal preference. Check with your instructors for the steps required at your school.

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