Ichi: Look Left, left foot steps back and slightly to the left (just like in kihon sons ichi). As you rotate your body to the left bring the Bo to the left hand (left hand is open with palm up). Grip the Bo with the left hand firmly, set zen kutsu dachi. Now move the Bo to overhead position by raising both arms together, the grip of the right hand remains closed, the left hand opens as the Bo is raised and changes from under-handed grip to to over handed grip. Remember the left palm is always in contact with the Bo. In the overhead position the Bo is level to the floor and pointed in the direction the body is facing. Now execute uchi otoshi (overhead strike) to the left side, pull the Bo down with the left hand and push with the right. As the Bo strikes down the left hand stays closed and goes from overhand grip to underhand grip, the right hand opens and rotates to the to underhand grip while keeping the right palm in contact with the Bo (as the Bo moves down to the left side). Now execute uchi otoshi to the right side. As described for the left side except you change left to right and right to left. Now do two handed lunge thrust to the eyes (morote jodan tsuki Komi). Bring the Bo back until the back tip is almost touching the floor then strike with great force to the head and return Bo to ready.
Comment: Something important here, I was taught by Soshu Shigeru Oyama to center line bo over your head while fists clinched the bo, upon striking over head open front fist resting bo on palm, back fist open resting bo on palm. Close front fist palm as striking with Katana using wrist, then leave back palm open and push forward with speed, crack the skull. This needs study as many student do what we call lazy row boating. This is similar to making a good fist, do Right first time so your strike is as it should be. Whenever you are training in this first bo kata it will require overhead strikes left side overhead strike to right side then a jodan tsuki-komi to the eyes, point thrust by bringing bo back low to your side tip almost touching floor and fire your thrust.
Note #1: The description of certain movements in step #1 were very lengthy. The movements of step one are repeated often through out the rest of the kata. If you have questions regarding those techniques as you read through the rest of the Kata refer to Step #1.
Ni: Fumi ashi (step forward with right foot) into right zen kutsu dachi and raise Bo to overhead position as described in step #1. overhead strike to left side (hidari uchi otoshi), then two handed thrust on left side (morote jodan tsuki komi).
San: Maintain right zen kutsu dachi and Look over left shoulder. Turn 180 degree's, pivot on left foot, right foot steps back and behind left foot, way out to get wide, into stable stance (migi ashi mae zen kutsu dachi) and raise bo with both hands again over the top of your head, stay low, do not come up. Overhead strike to right side (migi uchi otoshi), overhead strike to left side (hidari uchi otoshi) then two handed thrust to head or eyes (Morote Jodan tsuki komi). Stay low.
Shi: Fumi ashi (slide left foot forward) into hidari ashi mae zen kutsu dachi, overhead strike to right side (migi uchi otoshi), then a two handed thrust to head (morote jodan tsuki komi). Remain in hidari zen kutsu dachi this will be your top of the "H" pattern.
Go: Look left, turn body 90 degrees to the left, move left foot back and to the left for a wide stance into hidari ashi mae zen kutsu dachi, overhead strike to left side (hidari uchi otoshi), overhead strike to right side (migi uchi otoshi), two handed thrust to head (morote jodan tsuki komi). Low zen, 60/40 knee bent upon strikes.
Rokku: Fumi ashi (slide right foot forward) into migi ashi mae zen kutsu dachi stance, overhead strike to left side (hidari uchi otoshi) then execute two handed thrust to head (Morote Jodan Tsuki Komi).San Ju: Look left, turn body 90 degrees to the left (move left foot back and to the left for a wide stance) into hidari zen kutsu dachi, overhead strike to left side (hidari uchi otoshi), overhead strike to right side (migi uchi otoshi), two handed thrust to head (morote jodan tsuki komi). Low zen, 60/40 knee bent upon strikes.
Yan Ju: Fumi ashi (slide right foot forward) into right zen executing overhead strike to left side (hidari uchi otoshi) followed immediately by two handed thrust (morote jodan tsuki komi) to the head, deep stance, nice powerful thrust, should feel good.
Go Ju: Fumi ashi (slide left foot forward) into hidari zen kutsu dachi, executing an overhead strike to right side (migi uchi otoshi) followed by a two handed thrust to the head (morote jodan tsuki komi).From zen stance
left foot slides back to right foot (Musuba dachi) body turns left 45 degrees (hanmi).
As you move into Musuba Dachi lower left hand and raise the Bo with the right hand to shoulder height and
change right hand to underhand grip and change left hand to an over-handed
grip. Bo is at approximately 45 degree angle. Begin rotation of the Bo over your
head stopping the rotation, when the Bo is pointing to the ground and at a 45
degree angle to your body. Remember this is done smoothly and
with as much speed as possible.
Bring your left hand up to your right ear and as you turn your body another 45 degrees
to the left (you should now be facing in the direction you started the kata in), slide
your left foot to the left and execute Gedan Barai. You are now in Bo Yoi Dachi. Wait for
the command "Na o re" and when given, transfer Bo from right side to left side. The transfer
is done as follows:
1.) With right hand bring tip of the Bo from right to left.
2.) When Bo is midway (right to left) move the left hand to Bo just behind right hand with
palm up knuckles resting on the top of the Bo.
3.) With the left hand, press down and to the left with the knuckles of the left hand to begin rotating the Bo.
4.) Keep the Left Hand Palm up as the Bo rotates, when the Bo rotates just over 180 degrees
the Bo should be resting on the upward facing left palm, close the left grip.
5.) Now let go of the Bo with the right hand and continue the rotation of the Bo,
until the tip of the Bo is down near the floor and the Bo is at a 45 degree angle to the
floor and your body. Bring right hand up to left ear and do gedan barai.
Wait for the command yasumae, and then you may assume a more relaxed stance.
Simple kata, I think not, the whole kata needs a timing that requires rhythm (hyoshi),
synchronization, and as a dojo move as one. Practice this basic Bo.
Do the overhead strike as we stated not row boating, sloppiness.