There are several different variations on how Taikyoku Sandan should be performed. One may also find descriptions of six Taikyoku kata. The Taikyoku kata described on this website refer to Gichin Funakoshi's book, Karate-Do Kyohan, in which he describes only three Taikyoku kata. Again, Taikyoku Sandan is almost identical to Taikyoku Shodan except that six (of the eight) down blocks (on top and bottom of embusen) are replaced with inside blocks (in back stance), and both sets of three chudan punches are exchanged for jodan punches. Obviously, the purpose of this kata was to introduce the student to back stance and inside block. Otherwise, it is the same as its two predecessors.
