Bassai Sho
Storming a Fortress - The Lesser
Kata History
Bassai Sho was created by Master Itosu and means 'Storming the Fortress Lesser', as Bassai Dai was greater, Sho comes from Dai, of course not meaning of lesser importance.
The Moves
The Kata exercises the following moves and stances, in sequence, and takes around 1 minute 10 seconds to complete at high speed:
| Count | Move | Stance |
| Rei | Musubi Dachi | |
| Yoi | Uchi Hachiji Dachi | |
| Kata Yoi | Heisoku Dachi | |
| 1 | Jodan Haishu Awase Uke | Kosa Dachi |
| 2 | Morote Koko Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 3 | Suihei Bo Dori | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 4 | Haito Sukui Nage | Heisoku Dachi |
| 5 | Gedan Tetsui Uchi | Heisoku Dachi |
| 6 | Morote Koko Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 7 | Suihei Do Dori | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 8 | Haito Koshi Gamae | Heisoku Dachi |
| 9 | Doji Haito Uchi | one leg |
| 10 | Yoko Geri Keage | one leg |
| 11 | Tate Shuto Uke | Kiba Dachi |
| 12 | Migi Chudan Zuki | Kiba Dachi |
| 13 | Manji Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 14 | Manji Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 15 | Migi Chudan Shuto Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 16 | Ryowan Uchi Uke | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 17 | Jodan Ura Zuki | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 18 | Doji Uke | Ashi Barai Chudan |
| 19 | Koshi Gamae | one leg |
| 20 | Ashi Barai Chudan | one leg |
| 21 | Sokumen Morote Zuki | Kiba Dachi |
| 22 | Chudan Doji Uke | one leg |
| 23 | Ashi Barai | one leg |
| 24 | Koshi Gamae | Kiba Dachi |
| 25 | Sokumen Morote Zuki | Kiba Dachi |
| 26 | Chudan Doji Uke | one leg |
| 27 | Ashi Barai | one leg |
| 28 | Koshi Gamae | Kiba Dachi |
| 29 | Sokumen Morote Zuki | Kiba Dachi |
| 30 | Jodan Doji Uke | Ura Ashigake |
| 31 | Morote Hiki Otoshi | Neko Ashi Dachi |
| 32 | Yoko Sashi Ashi | |
| 33 | Jodan Shuto Doji Uke | Ura Ashigake |
| 34 | Morote Hiki Otoshi | Neko Ashi Dachi |
| Kata Yoi | Heisoku Dachi | |
| Yame | Uchi Hachiji Dachi | |
| Rei | Musubi Dachi |