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Kata

Pinan

When Itosu created this group of katas, he was already advanced in years. My research suggests that he used some of his students to make these katas. It is known that Itosu designed these Katas in 1905. It has proven, over time, to be excellent work. There are many, many important points for sparring as well as philosophical techniques contained in these Katas. This collection of katas has two sets. Pinan-Nidan and Pinan-Shodan are the first set, and the rest of the three make up the second set. The first set has no "Kyusoku-Gamae-Waza," while the second set does contain it. This is a very important part of the Shuri-Te philosophy. "Kyusoku" means break. "Kamae=Gamae" means form. It means making a break during fighting. This allows the other side to quit the fight and walk away. This may seem strange, but it is seen in other conflicts, such as a "cease-fire." If this is possible, it adds ethics to the conflict. Of course, "Yoi" and "Yame" have this same meaning and should be practiced as if they are the same. If we practice Karate for tournament only, we fail to learn this kind of technique.

These katas were created for beginners by Itosu, but they contain many advanced techniques. For example, there are four timing systems for attack: Sensen no te, Sen no te, Gosen no te and Go no te.

Pinan-Godan is the highest level kata within the Pinan group. This kata alone contains Shuri-Te's most advanced sparring technique of in-line sparring from front to back. Also, the rest of the four katas miss at least one important stance. The table below illustrates which important stances are contained in each Pinan kata. The stances are: Renoji-dachi (in line stance), Kihon-dachi (front stance), Nekoashi-dachi (Cat stance), Shiko-dachi, Kosa-dachi (Crossed feet stance), and Heisoku-dachi (stance with feet together).

The concept of "Kyusoku-Gamae-Waza," discussed above, is very interesting. Goju-Ryu and Uechi-Ryu katas do not have this technique. The Tomari-te Kata, "Rohai" has it, but "Wankan" and "Wansu" do not have it.