Bassai Dai
Bassai Dai (to storm a fortress)
aka: Passai, Passai-Dai
This is a signature kata of the Shorin and Shotokan schools of karate. The moves are strong and penetrating, while the story this kata tells is one of turning disadvantage into advantage. It is traditionally the first 'advanced' kata learnt, usually at brown belt level.
History
There are several versions of the Passai kata across the Shuri and Shorin styles (Matsumura Passai, Ishimine Passai, Tomari Passai), with the origin of the form thought to lie with Kokan Oyadomari with further refinements from Yasutsune Itosu. ~ GE