Taikyoku means "first course". It is also, according to a translator of the Karate-Do Kyohan, " a philosophical term denoting the macrocosm before its differentiation into heaven and earth: hence, chaos or the void". The translations of the Taikyoku series are as follows:
Taikyoku Gedan - First Course Lower
Taikyoku Chudan - First Course Middle
Taikyoku Jodan - First Course Upper
Taikyoku Tora Guchi - First Couse Circular Block
Taikyoku Kake Uke - First Course Hooking Block
Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of the Shotokan style, created the original Taikyoku series. The Goju Ryu versions have been modified to reflect elements within the style, such as the Shiko Dachi and Sanchin stances.
They all follow the basic "H" pattern, and increase slightly in difficulty as more techniques are added.
Note: Gedan Barai is sometimes substituted for Harai Otoshi
Step forward with the right foot and shift 90 degrees to the left into left Shiko Dachi and execute a left Harai Otoshi. Step forward with the right foot into right Shiko Dachi and perform Oi Tsuki. Stepping with the right foot, turn 180 degrees to the right into right Shiko Dachi and execute a right Harai Otoshi, followed by stepping forward into left Shiko Dachi and performing Oi Tsuki.
Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 degrees to the left into left Shiko Dachi, facing shomen, and perform a left Harai Otoshi, followed by three stepping Oi Tsukis in Shiko Dachi. Kiai on the last punch.
Stepping with the left foot, turn 270 degress to the left into left Shiko Dachi and execute a left Harai Otoshi followed by a stepping into right Shiko Dachi and performing Oi Tsuki, then turn 180 degrees to the right into right Shiko Dachi and perform the a right Harai Otoshi followed by stepping into left Shiko Dachi and executing Oi Tsuki.
Next, step left 90 degrees into left Shiko Dachi and perform a left Harai Otoshi, followed by three stepping Oi Tsukis in Shiko Dachi. Kiai on the last punch.
Turn 270 degress to the left into left Shiko Dachi, perform a left Harai Otoshi, and then step into right Shiko Dachi and execute Oi Tsuki. Step with the right foot and turn 90 degrees to the right into right Shiko Dachi, facing shomen, and perform a right Harai Otoshi. Yame.
Step forward with the right foot and shift 90 degrees to the left into left Sanchin Dachi and execute a left Soto Uke. Step forward with the right foot into right Zenkutsu Dachi and perform Oi Tsuki. Stepping with the right foot, turn 180 degrees to the right into right Sanchin Dachi and execute a right Soto Uke, followed by stepping forward into left Zenkutsu Dachi and performing Oi Tsuki.
Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 degrees to the left into left Sanchin Dachi, facing shomen, and perform a left Soto Uke, followed by three stepping Oi Tsukis in Zenkutsu Dachi. Kiai on the last punch.
Stepping with the left foot, turn 270 degress to the left into left Sanchin Dachi and execute a left Soto Uke followed by a stepping into right Zenkutsu Dachi and performing Oi Tsuki, then turn 180 degrees to the right into right Sanchin Dachi and perform a right Soto Uke followed by stepping into left Zenkutsu Dachi and executing Oi Tsuki.
Next, step left 90 degrees into left Sanchin Dachi and perform a left Soto Uke, followed by three stepping Oi Tsukis in Zenkutsu Dachi. Kiai on the last punch.
Turn 270 degress to the left into left Sanchin Dachi, perform a left Soto Uke, and then step into right Zenkutsu Dachi and execute Oi Tsuki. Step with the right foot and turn 90 degrees to the right into right Sanchin Dachi, facing shomen, and perform a right Soto Uke. Yame.
This kata is identical to Taikyoku Chudan, except that the Chudan Soto Uke blocks are substituted with Jodan Age Uke.
Step forward with the right foot and shift 90 degrees to the left into left Sanchin Dachi and execute Tora Guchi. Step forward with the right foot into right Shiko Dachi and perform right Hiji Uchi into an open left hand, followed by a right Kote Uchi, right Harai Otoshi and then shift into right Zenkutsu Dachi and execute Gyaku Tsuki. Stepping with the right foot, turn 180 degrees to the right into right Sanchin Dachi and execute Tora Guchi, followed by stepping forward into left Shiko Dachi and performing the same combination of techniques.
Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 degrees to the left into left Sanchin Dachi, facing shomen, and perform Tora Guchi, followed by stepping into right Shiko Dachi and repeating the Hiji Uchi-Kote Uchi-Harai Otoshi-Gyaku Tsuki combination. Then, step into left Shiko Dachi and repeat, followed by stepping into right Shiko Dachi and repeating once more. Kiai on the last punch.
Stepping with the left foot, turn 270 degress to the left into left Sanchin Dachi and execute Tora Guchi followed by a stepping into right Shiko Dachi and again performing the Hiji Uchi-Kote Uchi-Harai Otoshi-Gyaku Tsuki combination, then turn 180 degrees to the right into right Sanchin Dachi and perform Tora Guchi followed by repeating the combination again.
Next, step left 90 degrees into left Sanchin Dachi and perform Tora Guchi, followed by three stepping combinations beginning in right Shiko Dachi. Kiai on the last punch.
Turn 270 degress to the left into left Sanchin Dachi, perform Tora Guchi, and then step into right Shiko Dachi and execute the combination. Step with the right foot and turn 90 degrees to the right into right Sanchin Dachi, facing shomen, and perform Tora Guchi. Yame.
This kata is identical to Taikyoku Tora Guchi, except that the Tora Guchi blocks are substituted with Kake Uke.