Passai (Dai)
Note: All training materials are to be used in conjunction with instruction
from a qualified teacher of Seidokan Karate.
Passai Kata of the Ryukoku Seidokan
-- performed by Sensei Ron Nix
Passai Creation
Credit goes to either Bushi Matsumura or Itosu (with most authors favoring Itosu). This is a very popular kata.
Passai originally came from China, but it is no longer practiced there. There are at least 17 versions which can be placed into three groups:
1) Itosu-Ishimine
2) Tawada-Chibana
3) Matsumura Orthodox-Kyan-Oyadomari.
The Passai kata of Shimabuku Village (Matsumura Orthodox version) may be the oldest version of this kata, dating back in village records over 400 years. There are Passai Sho and Passai Dai versions of this kata. There is, of course, great disagreement about who created the Passai Sho kata. One author refers to Passai Sho as the "meditation" version of the two kata.
Passai literally means To breach a Fortress, indicating the ability to penetrate any defense. The older versions of this kata complete the first move with the left leg leading; this has been switched to the right leg in most modern versions.
-- Sensei Ed Duga