Passai
The
Passai kata (modern versions:
Bassai dai,
Bassai sho,
Passai Sho,
Passai dai) have possibly resulted in the largest number of confirmed versions than any other
karate kata. The origins of this kata are obscure, however there are several theories as to its history. Some researchers believe the
Passai kata 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). The name itself is thought by some to mean ‘Leopard-Lion' which would be pronounced "Baoshi" in
Mandarin, "Baassai" in
Fuzhou dialect and "Pausai" in
Quanzhou dialect.
Another theory as to the naming of the kata is that it may represent a person's name, or is in reference to a fortress (see below). Other historians have noticed the resemblance between some parts of
Passai and
Wuxing Quan ("Five Element Fist")
Kung Fu.
Of the
Okinawan versions of
Passai, a clear evolutionary link can be seen from
Matsumura no Passai (named after the legendary
Sokon Matsumura), to
Oyadomari no Passai (named after the
Tomari-te karate master
Kokan Oyadomari), and then onto the
Passai of
Anko Itosu who popularised karate by introducing it into the curriculum of Okinawan schools. The Matsumura version has a distinct Chinese flavour, whereas the Oyadomari version is more "Okinawanised". It was further modified by Itosu, and is thought to have created a "sho" (
Passai sho) form of it.
Gichin Funakoshi of
Shotokan took it to
Japan and taught them as
Bassai Dai and
Bassai Sho. The Tomari style which incorporated
Oyadomari no Passai was passed down the Oyadomari family for three generations, originally taught by a Chinese living in Tomari (possibly named Anan), who "used very light techniques".
Sokon Matsumura also learned Chinese boxing from the military attaches Ason and Iwah at
Fuchou.
The Okinawan's did not have a clear definition for the name
"Passai" for Funakoshi to translate into Japanese, so he substituted it with a similar sounding
kanji,
"Bassai". This can be literally translated to mean "extract from a fortress" or "remove an obstruction". This is thought to be in reference to the power with which the kata should be executed, emphasising energy generation from the hips and waist. However, the designation of
Bassai by the Japanese does not appear to have a direct relation to movements in the kata or its origins.
The
Shorin-Ryu version of
Passai bears a close resemblance to
Oyadomari no Passai, and is a much softer kata than Shotokan's
Bassai Dai. Further evidence that
Passai has roots in
Tomari city is that
Bassai Dai starts with the right fist covered by the left hand, like other kata thought to have originated there, such as
Jutte,
Jion,
Jiin and
Empi. This hand gesture is a common
salutation in China. However, there is some contention between researchers as to if there was a separate Tomari school of karate.
Interestingly, the three
Yama zuki near the end of
Bassai Dai shape the upper-body like the kanji character for "mountain", so these punches are referred to as "mountain punches". This is a common theme in Shotokan, as
Hangetsu and Jutte contain postures resembling this kanji, and some kata supposedly draw kanji on the floor if you follow the
Embusen (floor plan).
The suffix -
Dai means "large" and -
Sho "small". Hence,
Passai Sho is a shorter variation on
Passai and also bears some resemblances to
Bassai Dai, indicating this kata may have been born out of combining elements of
Passai and
Passai Sho. One notable point is that
bunkai describes it as a defense against a
bo.
Shotokan practice a "smaller" version of
Bassai Dai, called
Bassai Sho. Itosu is thought to have created this from a version of
Bassai practiced in Shuri city. To confuse matters even more
Bassai Sho is written exactly the same way as a Chinese form know as
Ba Ji Xiao which has a counterpart form known as
Ba Ji Da (from the
Ba Ji Ch'uan style), so perhaps this kata pair and the
Dai-Sho naming scheme originates from China, invalidating the claim Itosu authored most of the -
Sho kata.
*
Karate kata*Bishop, M. Okinawan Karate (Tuttle, Boston, 1999).
*Redmond, R. Bassai Dai (http://www.24fightingchickens.com/kata/bassaidai.html)
*Redmond, R. Bassai Sho (http://www.24fightingchickens.com/kata/bassaisho.html)
*Swift, J. Roots Of Shotokan: Funakoshi's Original 15 Kata; Part 2 - Pinan, Naihanchi, Kushanku & Passai Kata http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=221)
*Roosen, A. Ko Ken Ryu Syllabus (http://www.kokenryu.com)
*Chan, S. Personal Communication (14/01/04)
