- This Traditional Taekwondo form is also used in Shotokan Karate. There may be differences between the Taekwondo version and the Karate version of this form.
Like many forms in Traditional Taekwondo, Bassai (also known as Pal-Sek) came to taekwondo by way of karate. The form actually predates karate however. Bassai has been practiced in many martial arts, including those from China, the Ryūkyū islands, Japan and Korea. The origins of this form are obscure, however there are several theories as to its history:
- Some researchers believe the Bassai form is related to Chinese Leopard and Lion boxing forms, with some sequences bearing a resemblance to Leopard boxing (the opening blocking / striking movement in cross-legged stance) whereas others are more representative of Lion boxing (open handed techniques and stomping actions). Okinawan karate researcher Akio Kinjo believes that the name originates in the Chinese bàoshī/豹獅 meaning "leopard-lion" which is pronounced "Bá-săi" or "pà-sai" in some Chinese dialects.
- Other historians have noticed the resemblance between some parts of Bassai and Wuxing Quan ("Five Element Fist") Kung Fu.
- Yet another theory as to the naming of the form is that it may represent a person's name.
In his 1922 book, Gichin Funakoshi names the form "Passai/パッサイ". By 1936, Funakoshi switches to calling the form Bassai/バッサイ but uses the characters "拔塞" which he spells as "Passai/パッサイ". The Korean Hangul spelling of the Hanja "拔塞" is "bal-chae (발채)".
In karate, there are two variations of these form that are practiced: Passai sho (小/ minor) and Passai dai (大/ major). In karate, the sho form is generally considered the more advanced of the two, but is less-frequently practiced.
In taekwondo, it is generally the major form (Bassai Dai, or simply Bassai) that is practiced.
Videos[]
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Bassai Sho (minor) | Bassai Dai (major) |
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Diagrams[]
This diagram is copyright John B. Correljé and is used with permission. Terms and conditions are available at http://sites.google.com/site/tangsoodochonkyong
Bassai Sho (minor) | Bassai Dai (major) |
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Other diagrams can be found here: http://www.bushido-kai.net/images/downloads/Kanku-sho.Bassai-sho.pdf
Written Instructions[]
Written instructions for Bassai Sho are here http://www.trinityshotokan.com/documents/bassai_sho.html and also here http://www.trinityshotokan.com/documents/bassai_sho.html
Written instructions for Bassai Dai are here http://www.scribd.com/doc/25415064/shotokan-bassai-dai and also here http://www.trinityshotokan.com/documents/bassai_dai.html or also http://www.trinityshotokan.com/documents/bassai_dai.html
See Also[]
Many of the forms often used in Traditional Taekwondo are included in the following table. In developing his Moo Duk Kwan curriculum, Hwang Kee assigned symbols, listed below, to many of the forms.
Family / Origin | Forms |
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Basic beginner forms developed by Hwang Kee in 1947. | |
Later variants of the beginner forms, developed by the World Tang Soo Do Association; these emphasize earlier training in kicking. |
Sae Kye Hyeong Il Bu |
Pyung Ahn forms, also called Pinan and Heian forms. From Shotokan Karate, developed approx. 1870 as beginner forms. Symbol: The Tortoise |
Pyung Ahn Cho-Dan |
Naihanchi forms, from Shotokan Karate. Also called Chul-Gi, Keema, and Tekki. Symbol: The Horse | |
Bassai forms, Escaping the Fortress, also called Pal-Sek. Adapted into Shotokan Karate but originally from Kung Fu. Symbol: The Cobra |
Bassai Sho |
Adapted from Shotokan Karate. Symbol: The Crane | |
From the karate form Kūsankū. Symbol: The Eagle | Kong-Sang-Koon |
From the karate form Enpi. Symbol: The Bird | Wang Shu (also called Empi) |
From the karate form Seisan. Symbol: The Preying Mantis | Sei-Shan |
Ji-On forms, adapted from Shotokan Karate. |
Ji-On, Symbol: The Ram |
From the karate form Gojūshiho. Symbol: The Tiger |
O Sip Sa Bo (also called Gojūshiho) |
Adapted by Hwang Kee from Kung Fu and T'ai Chi. | |
Chil Sung, the Seven Stars developed by Hwang Kee in approx. 1952 |
Chil Sung Il Ro |
Yook Ro, the Six-Fold Path developed by Hwang Kee in approx. 1958, inspired by the Muye Dobo Tongji. |
Yook Ro Cho Dan - Du Mun |
See Taekwondo Forms for additional information.
References[]
- Bassai on Wikipedia
- http://www.centralfloridatangsoodo.com/uploads/bassai-09.pdf
- http://www.its.caltech.edu/~shotokan/Rules_and_Notes/Bassai_Kata.pdf
- http://martialarts411.org/-bassai---form-of-the-rock.html
- http://www.theshotokanway.com/bassaidaikatanotes.html
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