Apart from Sanseru, a 1st kyu must also learn kata Sepai. Both kata must be performed for the Shodan-ho (provisional Black belt) grading. Sepai however must also be performed to grade to one’s Shodan (1st Dan Black belt) and it is here that the kata must have really developed.
Sepai is regarded as a beautiful and very appropriate kata for a student in GKR attempting black belt. To be performed well, a student must demonstrate a sound understanding and ability of strong flowing techniques coinciding with explosive movements. The most challenging GKR kata to date, it entails a number of circular, whipping movements and abstract hand techniques. It incorporates a number of angles and even pivoting movements as well as challenging the student by moving from long and short stances.
