Every Karate-Ka studying Shotokan here under the KUGB are tought Kihon as the very first kata, a basic kata of 2 "basic" moves - gedan-bari and oi-zuki.
The way this has been taught (in my experience) is as a turn to left, lower block against kick then follow up with a punch to the chest, turn block kick from behind, follow up with punch to chest etc etc blah blah blah. Yes that is a very basic description of what the techniques could be used for, however this very much depends on peopel attacking you, one from the left then one from behind while your back is turned. In my experience, this just doesn't happen.
This video I found on youtube is a far more accurate description of the techniques used in Kihon (remember, the most "basic" of kata). Used against a single opponent the opening moves make far more sense in the modern world don't they?
Kihon Kata is not a bad Kata to cover a broad range of HAOV. :)
Personally I'd skip it and study the heian in more detail.
Hello
The Kihon Kata (known as Taikyoku in Shotokan) was created by Funakoshi Yoshitaka from Heian Shodan/Pinan Nidan as the first kata for beginners. I use Taikyoku Shodan (just this kata) to teach the beginners the H-shape of Heian Kata and also to compete at their level (beginner level-Taikyoku Shodan and Heian Shodan). Also i use this simple enbusen to train various kick/sweep tehnics.
Because Taikyoku is a part of Heian Shodan i prefer to study the bunkai from Heian Shodan instead. IMO, all bunkai that is taught as "attack from left with mae geri / advance in zkd and block gedanbarai" and so, is a fake "bunkai" but in line with the standard JKA interpretation of basic atack/basic response but basic... inadecvate. If you are required to learn it for grad examinations or in other purposes (like bunkai for team kata) then learn them so but do not mistake them with self-defense applications.
The Pinan/Heian kata are created from advanced kata (bassai, kanku, jion.....) and were considered by Gichin Funakoshi as enough for self-defense but i don't feel the need of searching bunkai for an "exercise kata" created just for beginners to learn the H-shape.
All the best
Radu
I graded with Taikyuku Shodan and Sandan (not Nidan!) I didn't know that Y.Funakoshi invented them although historically this would make sense. Where's your reference for this information, please?
I think its a bit strange on the levels from "traditional" Karate compared to Jissen Karate
In my Style the first Core Kata taught to students is Shoshin No Kata Ichi
Although some schools teach this first, Nage No Kata Ichi
I created my own Taikyoku kata 1-3 for the Children's grades as 7 year old found this Shoshin kata to technical