Instructions for Goju-Ryu Bunkai - Gekisai Dai Ichi

This page provides details for bunkai used with the Goju-Ryu kata - Gekisai Dai Ichi. For other bunkai videos and instructions, please visit the main Goju-Ryu Bunkai section.

Bunkai is a Karate technique where kata is broken down and studied for its offensive and defensive elements. For example, an instructor could select a portion of a kata in order to show a student how this kata element is used to defend against an attack (i.e. middle punch, high kick, etc.). Bunkai do not have to be the same for each kata element studied because there can be different interpretations and applications. Therefore, these videos can show a variety of different bunkai that could be used for this kata.

To learn the kata movements associated with Gekisai Dai Ichi, please visit the page focused on the Gekisai Dai Ichi kata. For information on other Goju-Ryu katas, please visit the main Goju-Ryu Katas section.

Written Instructions for Bunkai
One of the most popular ways to teach the bunkai of this kata is by working the entire kata in a linear fashion with two people.

• Note: though the roles reveres often in a two person Kata [and for the sake of simplicity] the Tori is the karate-ka performing the Kata and the Uke is the one attacking/and receiving the final blow of the Kata.
• One karateka performs kata while the other works the counterpart moves
• Both karateka face each other and bow
• They then proceed to yoi
• Both karateka then step out into sanchin dachi with the right foot
  • With the right hand performing a middle block
  • This is best performed close quarter with this move the sanchin dachi is nearly toe to toe with the other karateka
• The Uke steps forward in sanchin with a high punch
  • While the Tori steps back with a high block with the left hand
• The Tori then steps forward in sanchin
  • With a high punch to the face
  • While the Uke steps back in sanchin with a high block
• The Uke then steps forward with the right into a kiba dachi at an angle of roughly 60 degrees (with your center facing partner being at 90 degrees)
  • The Uke performs a low punch aimed at the groin
  • The Tori copies the motion stepping back with the right leg into a kiba dachi
  • And performs a low block with the left arm deflecting the punch
• The Tori then steps forward in sanchin
  • With right leg forward and high punch with the right
  • The Uke counters with a high block with the right
  • While stepping back into sanchin
• The Uke then steps forward in sanchin with a high punch
  • The Tori steps back in sanchin with a high block
• The Tori then steps forward with the right into a kiba dachi at an angle of roughly 60 degrees (with your center facing partner being at 90 degrees)
  • The Tori performing a low punch aimed at the groin
  • The Uke copies the motion stepping back with the right leg into a kiba dachi and uses a low block
• The Tori steps forward with the left into sanchin
  • The Uke punches to the midsection of the Tori
  • And the Tori performs a middle block with the left