太極初段

Master Funakoshi said this about Taikyoku:

"Because of its simplicity, the kata is easily learned by beginners. Nevertheless, as its name implies, this form is of the most profound character and one to which, upon mastery of the art of karate, and expert will return to select it as the ultimate training kata."

"Once one is able to perform the Taikyoku forms with proficiency, he can understand the other kata with relative ease. For this reason, Taikyoku form should be considered elementary as well as the ultimate form. In fact, the Taikyoku Kata is the very prototype of the karate kata, a combination of the down block and middle level front punch (basic techniques in any training), the front stance, the typical body movements of karate and the defined line of movement."

"....Moreover, the student who has gained proficiency in basic techniques and understands the essence of the Taikyoku Kata will appreciate the real meaning of the maxim, "In karate, there is no advantage in the first attack." It is for these reasons that I have given them the name of Taikyoku."