Isshin Ryu Karate-Do Kata Histories
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| Chinto Kata | Kusanku Kata | Sunsu Kata | Sanchin Kata |
Pinan Shodan Kata
Meaning: First introductory form.
History: Pinan #1, or Pinan Shodan Kata, was created by Shihan Dale Jenkins. Believing that Seisan Kata was too long for beginners, Shihan Jenkins created the Pinan Kata for the sole purpose of initiating students into Isshin Ryu Karate-do without overwhelming them. Pinan Shodan Kata is the first hand kata that students in Kingwood Karate School learn.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Pinan Shodan Kata is composed largely of basic hand exercises placed together in sequences which are relatively easy to remember, but complex enough to challenge the beginning student. Pinan Shodan introduces multiple hand techniques (rentsuki).
Pinan Nidan Kata
Meaning: Second Introductory Form
History: Pinan #2, or Pinan Nidan Kata, was also created by Shihan Dale Jenkins. Pinan Nidan introduces more complex ideas and is shorter than Pinan Shodan. Both Pinan Kata were created during the same time period and have become accepted Kata in the system.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Pinan Nidan includes more of the basic hand exercises, but in a more complex form and slightly faster in speed. Pinan Nidan is shorter than Pinan Shodan and introduces multiple foot techniques.
Pinan Formal
Meaning: Third Introductory Form
History: Pinan Formal, or Pinan #1 and #2 the Formal Way, combines Shodan and Nidan Pinan with a formal bow at the begining and the end.
Seisan Kata
Meaning: Thirteen Hands, Crescent moon, half moon.
History: Seisan Kata is named after its founder, a famous Chinese martial artist. It is the oldest known kata still being practiced in Okinawa. There are many versions of it; almost every style of karate has a Seisan Kata. The Isshin Ryu Karate-do version is derived from Shorin Ryu Karate-do. The Okinawan master Sokon Matsumura is said to have brought it back from China during his stay there. Another legend states that the Chinese master Seisan taught Matsumura and others the system of Ch’uan fa (way of the fist, a Chinese system) while in Okinawa. Whatever the case may be, Matsumura passed down Seisan Kata.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Seisan Kata has no close range elbow or knee strikes. The kata is the first traditional Kata learned in Isshin Ryu Karate-do schools.
Seiunchin Kata
Meaning: Marching far quietly.
History: Legends tell that Seiunchin Kata is named after a famous Chinese martial artist. The Okinawan master Kanryo Higashionna is said to be responsible for developing Seiunchin Kata after training in Ch’uan fa. The Seiunchin Kata practiced by most Isshin Ryu karateka was refined by Tatsuo Shimabuku, but the essential form (from Goju Ryu) was developed by Chojun Miyagi. The Isshin Ryu Karate-Do version is derived from Goju-Ryu Karate-do. It is known as “The War Kata”.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Selunchin Kata features more wide, deep stances (soto hachiji tachi) than any other kata in Isshin Ryu Karate-do. The original kata featured much deeper stances (a trait of Goju-Ryu Karate-do) and because of this there are no kicking techniques.
Nai Hanchi Kata
Meaning: Sideways fighting, surreptitious steps.
History: The creator of Nai Hanchi Kata is unknown. It is believed to have come directly from China to Okinawa. Nai Hanchi Kata is designed for fighting in an alley, on a bridge, or with one’s back to a wall. Nai Hanchi Kata emphasizes a concentration of strength to the inner thighs in order to develop a more powerful stance. The Isshin Ryu Karate-do version of Nai Hanchi Kata is derived from the Shorin-Ryu Karate-do system.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Nai Hanchi Kata makes extensive use of the uchi hachiji tachi, which protects many of the main nerve branches in the legs. The kata emphasizes this stance, as well as keeping techniques compact and strong. Due to an error by the current soke of Isshin Ryu Karate-do, there are two kicks in the kata which were not present at the creation of the kata.
Wansu Kata
Meaning: Flying swallow.
History: Wansu Kata was named after the famous Chinese envoy Wang Ji, who was sent to the Tomari region of Okinawa in 1683 to teach the Shaolin White Crane system of kung fu. Wang Ji taught the importance of blocking and countering while using evasive footwork. This kata, sometimes nicknamed the “dumping kata” because of the unusual throw in it, is designed for fighting a taller opponent. The Isshin Ryu Karate-do version of Wansu Kata is a derivative of the Shorin Ryu Karate-do system.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Wansu Kata emphasizes strong, stable footwork. It is the first kata to introduce major use of the tsuru-no-iwa tachi. In addition, the Shaolin influence in this kata can be noted at the beginning, with a characteristic Shaolin salute before the kata begins.
Chinto Kata
Meaning: Fighting to the east, crane standing on a rock.
History: Chinto Kata is named after a Chinese sailor and martial artist who was shipwrecked on Okinawa. He taught Sokon Matsumura the Ch’uan Fa system. From there, Matsumura created Chinto Kata and passed it down to Chotoku Kiyan. Chinto Kata teaches stability and balance, countering while grappling, and throws (nage-waza). Chinto Kata is designed for fighting on uneven terrain such as staircases, hills, or boats, and emphasizes situations when the opponent has the higher ground. The Isshin Ryu Karate-do version of Chinto Kata comes from the Shorin Ryu Karate-do version.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Chinto Kata is known most for its use of Tsuru-no-iwa tachi, and for its unusual hand positions (representative of Goshinju Kami). It is considered an advanced kata. Chinto Kata demonstrates a strong influence by the Shaolin kung fu systems, mainly in its use of the butterfly kick (also double feint kick) and its heavy use of throws.
Kusanku Kata
Meaning: To view the sky.
History: Kusanku Kata was named after a Chinese military attache and public official named Kong Su Kung (translated as Kusanku in Okinawan). Kung was sent to Okinawa in 1750 and taught Ch’uan fa to Tode Sakugawa and Sokon Matsumura. Matsumura passed Kusanku down to Chotoku Kiyan. Kusanku Kata emphasizes changes of motion, position, fighting in the dark, jumping, and leaping. The Isshin Ryu Karate-do version of Kusanku Kata comes from the Shorin Ryu Karate-do kata of the same name.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Considered by many to be the most visually appealing of all Isshin Ryu Karate-do kata, Kusanku Kata is the best exemplification of the Shaolin kung fu systems that Isshin Ryu Karate-do has. A number of the techniques from Kusanku Kata can be found in nearly the same form in various styles of kung fu, including the inside crescent kick and the butterfly kick.
Sunsu Kata
Meaning: Iron man, stone man.
History: Sunsu Kata was created by Okinawan Karate-do master Tatsuo Shimabuku (the founder of Isshin Ryu Karate-do). He combined many of the techniques found in other Okinawan kata. Sunsu us a derivative of Shimabuku’s nickname “Sunnu-su”, given to him in 1952 by the mayor of Kiyan Village for his exceptional skills in the martial arts. The kata itself was announced with the complete Isshin Ryu Karate-do system in 1953.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Sunsu Kata draws upon many techniques, and is such an eclectic kata that it is this trait alone which distinguishes it. Sunsu Kata contains grappling and throwing techniques, as well as striking and kicking techniques. Sunsu Kata is also the longest Isshin Ryu Karate-do kata in terms of number of techniques.
Sanchin Kata
Meaning: Three battles.
History: Sanchin Kata was created by Goju Ryu Karate-do master Chojun Miyagi. Sanchin Kata is a respiratory and isotonic kata which incorporates static muscular contraction in the absence of external resistance. The Isshin Ryu Karate-do version of Sanchin Kata is derived from Goju Ryu Karate-do. Sanchin Kata exhibits the power and strength of Isshin Ryu Karate-do.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Sanchin Kata features ibuki breathing, which tends to sound loud, rasping, and forced. In fact, Sanchin Kata helps to develop the ki (inner force) and strengthens the body physically as well. With enough practice, the body can be made invulnerable to strikes, and in some cases, resistant to bladed weapons as well.
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