This page will help you to learn the Goju-Ryu kata - Gekisai Dai Ichi. This is the first main kata for Goju-RyuKarate. The meaning of Gekisai Dai Ichi is "Attack & Destroy One". Written instructions for this kata are below the videos.
To watch bunkai for Gekisai Dai Ichi, please visit the Goju-Ryu Bunkai section. If you need help with other Karate techniques (i.e. stances, kicks and strikes), please visit the main Karate section.
For additional Goju-Ryu Karate katas, please visit the main Goju-Ryu Katas page. To learn other Karate katas (i.e. Shotokan), please visit the main Katas & Forms section.
Left foot steps out into Yoi (ready stance) shoulder width apart
Alternatively: Yoi with feet together at attention left hand over right several inches away from the groin
the left hand pushes down while the right hand pushes up creating (explosive) tension
From either Yoi right foot steps forward and you turn left 90 degrees into hourglass stance
High block with left hand
If feet are apart in Yoi when the right foot steps forward you pivot on the center (ball and heel) of the foot so that the stance is even
If feet are together in Yoi left foot pivots on the heel and the right on the ball so the stance is even
if hands and feet are together in Yoi the right arm explodes from underneath almost like a fanning block before turning
Then the framing and execution of the high block is completed
Step forward into hourglass stance with the right foot
High punch with the right hand
Step back into square/horse stance so that the body is facing the direction of the attention stance
Low block with the left
Turn the body 90 degrees and left foot slides behind the right into hourglass stance
High block with the right hand
Step forward into hourglass stance with the left leg
High punch with the left hand
Step back into square/horse stance so that the body is facing the direction of the attention stance
Low block with the right
Left leg steps in and then forward into hourglass stance
Middle block with the left
Step forward into hourglass stance with the right
Middle block with the right
Left front kick and land in a front stance
Left elbow strike as blocking right hand pulls back into chamber
Left downward back fist face level
Left hand transitions to low block
And right hand punches with a "Kiai"
Turn right 90 degrees into a ready stance (with head facing to right)
Right knife hand strike to the side of the temple
Alternatively: during this transition the back leg of the previous front stance lifts up as if avoiding a sweep
Turn right 90 degrees to right, step forward with the left into hourglass stance
Left hand middle block
Right front kick and land in a front stance
Right elbow strike as blocking left hand pulls back into chamber
Right downward back fist face level
Right hand transitions to low block
Left hand punches with a "Kiai"
Turn left 90 degrees into a ready stance (with head facing to left)
Left knife hand strike to the side of the temple
Alternatively: during this transition the back leg of the previous front stance lifts up as if avoiding a sweep
Turn left 90 degrees and left leg steps back into front stance
As stepping back left hand pulls back as if pulling the arm of an opponent
Left hand in chamber palm down, right in chamber palm up
Double punch with left hand to the lungs and right to the stomach
Alternatively: when stepping back the left hand turns in like an open handed fanning block
Right hand in chamber comes out and performs a middle block
Then both hands pull back to chamber with left palm down and right palm up
Then double punch
Step forward into ready stance
Reverse fist orientation
Alternatively: Step forward feet together, both knees bent
Right arm turns in as if for a fanning block
Left arm arcs around in front for a middle block
Then both hands are pulled back into chamber in the revers orientation they were before in the prior step
Step back with the right leg into front stance
Double punch, right hand to the heart and left to the liver
Step forward into attention stance
Alternatively: open left hand
Turn right fist to palm facing up and place it in the open hand
Open the right hand
Step forward to attention as the hands turn staying left over right and return to the beginning position
Bow
Alternative Steps: Being slight variations found in different schools that do not compromise the integrity of the form and are based on personal preference.
