Taikyoku Shodan is the first kata in the Taikyoku series. It is the most basic of all kata and has only 20 moves with three recurring techniques: down block, lunge punch, and front stance. Although credit is usually given to Gichin Funakoshi as the author of the Taikyoku kata, his son Gigo was largely responsible for their creation. Taikyoku Shodan post-dates Heian Shodan, yet it was designed to be taught before Heian Shodan to further simplify the teaching of kata to young students. Taikyoku Shodan is taught in many styles of karate. Still, many instructors do not teach this kata simply because its pattern is similar to that of Heian Shodan. Technically, Taikyoku kata are not part of the 26 kata that comprise the Shotokan style.
Taikyoku is often interpreted as meaning "First Cause" or "Basic Ultimate" to denote its basic yet important nature. Tai means "big" or "great," kyoku signifies "extreme" or "ultimate." Therefore, the kata can be translated as "Big Ultimate." Gichin Funakoshi states in his book, Karate-Do Kyohan, that Taikyoku Shodan is the ultimate training kata. Taikyoku is also known as an esoteric term used to describe the Void. The Void is a Buddhist doctrine teaching that life and all things are nothing more than illusions, impermanent in their nature. So too can Taikyoku be viewed, as a form stripped of all complexities and extravagance, leaving only karate's truest and most effective form: move, block, and punch.
