Tekki Shodan

Tekki Shodan is the first kata in the Tekki series and is also the first kata that does not start in the traditional yoi position. With 29 counts, it is performed almost entirely in a horse stance. The embusen is simply a straight line.

Since there is no forward or backward movement, all footwork is accomplished in a sideways manner using the crossing step, or kosa-ashi.

Another important trademark of the three Tekki kata is the haiwan-nagashi-uke/tate-uraken combo. New techniques learned in T1 include kagi-zuki, morote-zuki, and the unique ashi-namigaeshi, a very effective technique that only occurs in this kata.

For proper kata performance, obviously a strong horse stance is essential, but the student must also understand the difference between hip rotation and hip vibration, similar but slightly distinct concepts. Head turns are regarded as a single count of the kata and must be performed sharply.