Taikyoku Shodan

大極初段：たいきょくしょだん

Required for 9th kyu yellow belt

In English: either 'First Effort Number One', or 'First Cause Number One'. The kanji (Japanese characters) used to write the word taikyoku, however, vary greatly depending upon the school or instructor doing the writing. Many of the alternate writings, even those still used by some schools, also bear little or no relationship to the modern pronunciations of the kanji used. This is primarily a product of the evolution and standardization of the Japanese language over the last century. The kanji used above are most commonly seen. However, taikyoku more literally translates to: 'Grand Ultimate', and this is a reading frequently seen in other arts.. Incidentally, the kanji used here for taikyoku are in Chinese the same used for the art of Tai Chi (or Taiqi). The word shodan literally means 'first degree', but shodan, nidan, sandan, etc... are used in kata names to indicate number one, number two, number three, etc...

This kata is so widely practiced that it is practically universal. Funakoshi Gichin [1868 - 1957], the founder of Shotokan, is credited with this kata's development. Since it's creation it has been adopted by virtually all hard-style martial arts as a basic kata, if not the first kata taught. Practiced in virtually identical form by many martial arts, and even in traditional Korean martial arts, where it is called 'Kicho'.

In the American Butokukan, Taikyoku Shodan is the first kata taught to students, generally by the end of a student's fourth week of class. It is the most basic of forms, consisting of only two techniques and one stance, and is functionally an introduction to the fundamental concepts of kata; namely concentration, precision, focus (mentally and physically), coordination, and discipline. In a way, many core martial arts concepts are wrapped up into the practice of this most basic of kata. Lessons such as 'never quit what you've started', 'execute each technique with focus as if your life depended on it', and the practice of fundamentals that should never cease no matter how advanced in rank a martial artist become

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