Instructions for Shotokan Karate Kata 1 - Heian Shodan

This page provides video and written instructions for Shotokan Karate kata - Heian Shodan. This is one of the Shotokan katas for color belt (non-black belt) Karate students. Heian Shodan is the first Shotokan kata and is followed Heian Nidan and Heian Sandan.

Written step-by-step instructions for Heian Shodan are at the bottom of the page. You should also visit the section focused on bunkai for Heian Shodan. For other Shotokan katas (i.e. Heian Nidan), please visit the main Shotokan Karate katas page.

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Written Instructions for Shotokan Karate Kata - Heian Shodan

• Heian Shodan has 21 movements. This kata requires accurate Shotokan stances (dachi).
• Ready stance - Yohi Dachi
• Turn left 90 degrees, left front stance, left low (downward) block - Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into right front stance, right middle lunge punch - Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Turn right 180 degrees into right front stance, right low (downward) block, right arm circles into a downward hammer fist - Migi Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi - Migi Tettsui Uchi
• Step forward into left front stance, left middle lunge punch - Hidari Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Turn left 90 degrees into left front stance, left low (downward) block - Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into right front stance, right rising block - Migi Age Uke Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into left front stance, left rising block - Hidari Age Uke Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into right front stance, right rising block, yell Kiai - Migi Age Uke Zen Kutsu Dachi Kiai
• Turn left 270 degrees in left front stance, left low (downward) block - Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into right front stance, right middle lunge punch - Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Turn right 180 degrees into right front stance, right low (downward) block - Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into left front stance, left middle lunge punch - Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Turn left 90 degrees into left front stance, left low (downward) block - Hidari Gedan Barai Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into right forward stance, right middle lunge punch - Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into left front stance, left middle lunge punch - Hidari Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi
• Step forward into right forward stance, right middle lunge punch, yell Kiai - Migi Oi Tsuki Zen Kutsu Dachi Kiai
• Turn left 270 degrees into left front stance, left middle knife hand guarding block - Hidari Shuto Uke Ko Kutsu Dachi
• Turn right 45 degrees into right front stance, right middle knife hand guarding block - Migi Shuto Uke Ko Kutsu Dachi
• Turn right 135 degrees into right front stance, right middle knife hand guarding block - Migi Shuto Uke Ko Kutsu Dachi
• Turn left 45 degrees into left front stance, left middle knife hand guarding block - Hidari Shuto Uke Ko Kutsu Dachi
• Bring left foot back to right foot, return to ready stance - Yohi Dachi