Skip to content

Tachi-kata

Introduction

Tachi-kata is an ordered review of the form and transition of the stances.

The purpose is to train how the body moves from a simple natural standing position into increasingly defined stances, and how each stance grows out of the preceding one. Tachi-kata therefore trains not only individual stances, but also:

  • foot angle
  • distance between the feet
  • weight distribution
  • hip control
  • body posture
  • transition between forms

Tachi-kata is thus a methodical way of understanding dachi as a system.

Purpose

Tachi-kata is used to:

  • learn the order of the stances
  • train correct foot placement
  • develop a feeling for weight distribution
  • make the transitions between stances clear
  • create a continuous understanding of Tachi / Dachi

This makes Tachi-kata especially useful in basic training, instructional settings, and technical standardization.

Basic principles

The following principles apply throughout Tachi-kata:

1. The body is kept upright

The upper body should be carried in a gathered and vertical way.

2. The feet determine the form

Small changes in foot angle and foot distance change the entire character of the stance.

3. The weight must be felt clearly

Each stance has its own weight logic. It must be carried consciously.

4. The transition is part of the stance

It is not enough simply to reach the correct final form. The way into the stance must also be correct.

5. The movement must be clear and controlled

Tachi-kata is trained methodically, not hastily.

Starting position

Shizentai

The starting position is Shizentai.

  • the body is held naturally upright
  • the feet stand relaxed under the body
  • the shoulders are kept calm
  • the gaze is directed forward

All stances in the sequence grow out of this position.

Stance sequence

1. Heisoku-dachi

From shizentai, the feet are brought fully together.

  • bring the feet together from toes to heels
  • keep the feet closed
  • keep the body vertical
  • distribute the weight evenly

This is Heisoku-dachi.

2. Musubi-dachi

From heisoku-dachi, the toes are opened outward while the heels are kept together.

  • use the heels as the center
  • open the toes about 45 to 60 degrees
  • let the heels continue to meet

This is Musubi-dachi.

3. Heiko-dachi

From musubi-dachi, the heels are moved outward until the feet stand parallel.

  • turn the heels outward
  • let the feet become parallel
  • keep a natural width between the feet
  • carry the body evenly

This is Heiko-dachi.

4. Sotohachiji-dachi

From heiko-dachi, the toes are opened outward into an outer figure-eight shape.

  • use the heels as the pivot point
  • turn the toes outward
  • keep the weight evenly distributed
  • keep the body centered

This is Sotohachiji-dachi.

5. Uchihachiji-dachi

From sotohachiji-dachi, the heels are moved outward so that the feet form an inner figure-eight shape.

  • use the toes as the center
  • move the heels outward
  • let the feet point inward
  • lower the ankles, knees, and hips slightly
  • add a light spring to the legs

This is Uchihachiji-dachi.

6. Sanchin-dachi

From uchihachiji-dachi, one foot is brought about one foot-length forward.

  • keep the stance compact
  • lower the body slightly
  • maintain a gathered structure

If the right foot is forward, it is Migi Sanchin-dachi.
If the left foot is forward, it is Hidari Sanchin-dachi.

7. Moroashi-dachi

From sanchin-dachi, the heels are brought back to a parallel line.

  • use the toes as the center
  • bring the heels back inward
  • let the feet become parallel
  • keep one foot slightly in front of the other

This is Moroashi-dachi.

8. Kokutsu-dachi

From moroashi-dachi, the stance is turned sideways and the hips are lowered.

  • turn the body into a side position
  • keep the front foot facing forward
  • open the rear foot
  • lower the hips
  • carry the greater part of the weight backward

The weight distribution is approximately:

  • 70% on the rear leg
  • 30% on the front leg

This is Kokutsu-dachi.

9. Nekoashi-dachi

From kokutsu-dachi, the front foot is drawn in closer to the body.

  • draw in the front foot
  • lift the front heel
  • keep the weight clearly backward
  • let the front leg be light and ready

This is Nekoashi-dachi.

10. Kake-dachi

From nekoashi-dachi, the body is turned and the leg is hooked behind the supporting leg.

  • turn on the toes
  • cross one leg behind the other
  • keep the greater part of the weight on the supporting leg
  • lock the stance clearly without becoming stiff

This is Kake-dachi.

11. Zenkutsu-dachi

From kake-dachi, or after returning forward, the stance is drawn out into a long forward-directed base.

  • keep the width about shoulder width
  • extend the length to about double shoulder width
  • bend the front leg clearly
  • stretch the rear leg
  • keep the front foot straight forward
  • keep the rear foot at about 45 degrees

The weight distribution is approximately:

  • 70% forward
  • 30% back

This is Zenkutsu-dachi.

12. Kiba-dachi

From zenkutsu-dachi, the body is brought back to a wide side stance with parallel feet.

  • keep a clear width
  • turn the body to a side position
  • keep the feet parallel
  • lower the body between the legs

This is Kiba-dachi.

13. Shiko-dachi

From kiba-dachi, both feet are opened outward.

  • turn both feet about 45 degrees outward
  • let the knees follow the toe line
  • lower the body steadily
  • keep the upper body upright

This is Shiko-dachi.

14. Tsuruashi-dachi

From shiko-dachi, one leg is lifted.

  • draw the leg up clearly
  • bring the heel up to about knee height
  • keep the body gathered over the supporting leg
  • keep the gaze forward

This is Tsuruashi-dachi.

15. Fudō-dachi / Shizentai

After the review, the body returns to a neutral and gathered standing form.

  • place the foot back down under control
  • set the body in a natural stable ready position
  • return to a calm and upright posture

This is Fudō-dachi / Shizentai.

Special review of Sanchin-dachi

Sanchin-dachi requires a more conscious entry than several of the other stances and should therefore be trained separately.

Preparation

Begin from Shizentai.

  • correct the posture
  • gather the body
  • lower the breathing toward the lower abdomen
  • prepare the stance before the foot is set down

Entry

  • bring forward the foot that is to stand in front
  • let its toe tip come close to the toe tip of the supporting foot
  • lower the hips slightly at the same time
  • cross the arms in front of the body
  • let the foot describe a semicircle to its final position

When the position of the feet is set:

  • raise the structure clearly
  • place the arms in Sanchin-kamae
  • keep the elbows in
  • keep the armpits open about one fist-width
  • let the center of gravity fall clearly on the center line

Finished stance

When the stance is complete:

  • the body is compact
  • the legs are active
  • the hips are gathered
  • the center is clear
  • the posture is strong without becoming hard

This is Sanchin-dachi.

Training instruction

Tachi-kata should be trained:

  • slowly
  • clearly
  • in fixed order
  • without skipping intermediate positions
  • with focus on quality in each stance

It is better to perform the sequence correctly and methodically than quickly and incoherently.

Common mistakes

The stances are done as separate poses

Tachi-kata should show system and transition, not just individual forms.

The feet are moved without precision

The footwork is the very core of the sequence.

The weight is not felt

Each stance must be carried clearly and consciously.

The upper body compensates

If the feet are right but the body leans, turns, or tenses, the form is still incomplete.

The transitions break apart

The path between the stances must be as clear as the final forms.

Tachi-kata – short dojo version

Starting position

Shizentai

Sequence

1. Heisoku-dachi

Heisoku-dachi
Bring the feet fully together.

2. Musubi-dachi

Musubi-dachi
Open the toes 45–60 degrees.
The heels stay together.

3. Heiko-dachi

Heiko-dachi
Move the heels outward until the feet stand parallel.

4. Sotohachiji-dachi

Sotohachiji-dachi
Turn the toes outward into an outer figure-eight shape.

5. Uchihachiji-dachi

Uchihachiji-dachi
Move the heels outward into an inner figure-eight shape.
Lower slightly in the ankles, knees, and hips.

6. Sanchin-dachi

Migi / Hidari Sanchin-dachi
Bring one foot forward about one foot-length.
Keep the stance short and gathered.

7. Moroashi-dachi

Moroashi-dachi
Bring the heels back to a parallel line.
One foot stands slightly in front of the other.

8. Kokutsu-dachi

Kokutsu-dachi
Turn sideways and lower the hips.
70% back, 30% forward.

9. Nekoashi-dachi

Nekoashi-dachi
Draw in the front foot.
Lift the front heel.
Keep the weight back.

10. Kake-dachi

Kake-dachi
Turn and hook the leg behind the supporting leg.

11. Zenkutsu-dachi

Zenkutsu-dachi
Step forward into a long stance.
Front leg bent, rear leg extended.
70% forward, 30% back.

12. Kiba-dachi

Kiba-dachi
Turn to a side stance.
Parallel feet.
Lower the body between the legs.

13. Shiko-dachi

Shiko-dachi
Open both feet 45 degrees outward.
Let the knees follow the toe line.

14. Tsuruashi-dachi

Tsuruashi-dachi
Lift one leg.
Raise the heel to about knee height.

15. Fudō-dachi / Shizentai

Fudō-dachi / Shizentai
Set the foot down under control and return to the natural stance.

Comment

Tachi-kata is one of the most useful sections in dachi work because it shows the stances as a connected system.

By working through the sequence in order, the practitioner learns not only names and forms, but also how small changes in foot placement, foot angle, hip position, and weight distribution create new technical forms. Tachi-kata therefore works as a bridge between simple stance understanding and real bodily understanding of dachi.