Pinan

The Pinan series (pronounced "pin-yan" or "pin-an") is a series of five empty hand forms (kata), originated in Okinawa, now taught in many karate styles. The Pinan kata were adapted by Anko Itosu from more ancient kata such as Kusanku and Gojushiho into forms suitable for teaching the gross body movement skills of karate to young students. When Gichin Funakoshi brought karate to Japan, he renamed the kata to Heian, which is translated as "long peace."

History

The Pinan kata were introduced into the school systems on Okinawa in the early 1900's, and were subsequently adopted by many teachers and schools. Thus, they are present today in the curriculum of Shorin-Ryu, Shorei-ryu, Shotokan, Matsubayashi-ryu, and several other styles.

One of the stories surrounding the history of the Pinan kata claims that Itosu learned a kata from a Chinese man living in Okinawa. This kata was called "Chiang Nan" by the Chinese man. The form became known as "Channan" to the Okinawan masters who found "Chiang Nan" difficult to say. The Channan kata were thought lost but rumour has it that a Chinese Master knows Channan 1,2 and 3.

Itosu formed 5 Katas from the long Channan Kata which he thought would be easier to learn than Channan. The 5 kata were Pinan Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan. A loose translation of the word Pinan could be 'calm and peaceful'.

Another story says Itosu formed the Pinan kata from some of the more advanced kata like Kusanku, enabling him to teach high school students karate kata.

Current practice

The Pinans are taught to various ranks according to their difficulty. The kata are all based at least loosely on an I-shaped embusen or shape. These kata serve as the foundation to many of the advanced kata within Okinawan Karate systems, as many of the techniques contained in these five kata are found in the "black belt" kata as well, especially Kusanku (kata).

Each of the kata contains Bunkai, or the practical application of the techniques performed. Many of the kata moves look like dance and bear little resemblance to actual combat. However, these seemingly dance-like moves often have a hidden meaning, all but lost to only the most senior practitioners within a style. These high-level practitioners have been lucky to have studied with the Grandmaster of the style, who often received his own tutelage from the founder's protege.

In certain styles, Pinan Shodan and Pinan Nidan are inverted. That is, what certain styles call Pinan Shodan is what others call Pinan Nidan, and vice-versa.

Pinan Dai (The Great Pinan)

The Great Pinan, practiced by some schools, is an amalgamation of all the five pinan katas. The order in which the five katas are performed is changed from that of the simple and basic training order (above) and in this order the five katas blend naturally from one to another, without any breaks forming one elaborate and intricate kata. This kata although Okinawan in origination encompasses the basic Buddhist elements and is performed in their order of earth, water, fire, air and ether as also outlined by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai) of the Japanese Heian period.

Waza

Pinan Shodan

This kata is the same as Taikyoku Shodan with the following exceptions:

After the second gedan barai, pull back into right kokutsu dachi, and execute right suto gamen uchi.
The three punches that go forward from the starting position are replaced with jodan uke, chudan uchi uke, and chudan soto uke respectively.

Pinan Nidan

Left leg steps left. Turn 90° into left nekoashi dachi, right hand in Hikite with left hand resting on right. Simultaneously execute left chudan kake uke to left and right jodan uke to front.
Right tetsui uchi uchi, reach forward with right hand, left foot slides into kiba dachi, left jun tsuki.
Turn 180°, right foot pulls back to kokutsu dachi, left hand in Hikite with right hand resting on left. Simultaneously execute right chudan kake uke to right and left jodan uke to front.
Left tetsui uchi uchi, reach forward with left hand, right foot slides into kiba dachi, right jun tsuki.
Right foot pulls back into tsuruashi dachi. right chudan yoko geri and right jodan uraken uchi simultaneously.
Turn 180°, right foot steps back into left kokutsu dachi, left shuto mawashi stow uke.
right foot steps, right shuto mawashi stow uke.
left foot steps, left shuto mawashi stow uke.
right foot steps into zenkutsu dachi, left shotei moroshi uki, leave left hand out, right chudan nukite over the top of the left hand. Kiai
left foot slides around to the right, turn 270° into kokutsu dachi left shuto mawashi stow uke.
right foot steps 45°, right shuto mawashi stow uke. Right foot slides around to the right, turn 135°, right shuto mawashi stow uke
left foot steps 45°, left shuto mawashi stow uke.
left leg pulls back to right to protect the groin, left foot steps 45° left into zenkutsu dachi, gyaku kake uke.
right mae geri, right foot steps into zenkutsu dachi, chudan gyaku uchi uke.
left mae geri, left foot step into zenkutsu dachi, chudan gyaku tsuki.
right foot steps, right chudan morote uke.
left foot slides to the right, turn 270° into zenkutsu dachi, left gedan barai.
left jodan nukite yonjugoto, right foot steps 45°, right jodan uke.
right foot steps back to the right 135°, turn into right zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai.
right jodan nukite yonjugoto, left foot steps 45°, left jodan uke. Kiai

Shotokan

Heian shodan

Look left, execute 90° left gedan barai while shifting left into left zenkutsu dachi
Execute right oi zuki chudan
Execute right gedan barai to zenkutsu dachi, while turning 180° clockwise
Shift into niko dachi and then execute tettsui while returning to a right half-zenkutsu dachi
Execute left oi zuki chudan
Look left, execute left gedan barai into zenkutsu dachi, while turning 90° left(forward again)
Execute three consecutive age uke (kiai on the third)
Execute left gedan barai into zenkutsu dachi, while turning 270° counterclockwise
Execute right oi zuki chudan
Execute right gedan barai into zenkutsu dachi while turning 180° clockwise
Execute left oi zuki chudan
Execute left gedan barai while turning left into left zenkutsu dachi
Execute three consecutive oi zuki chudan (kiai on the third)
Look left, execute shuto uke into kokutsu dachi, while turning 270° counterclockwise
Look right, execute shuto uke into kokutsu dachi, while stepping forward and turning 45° clockwise
Look 135 right, execute right shuto uke into kokutsu dachi, while turning 135 clockwise
Look 45 left, execute shuto uke to kokutsu dachi while stepping forward and turning 45° counterclockwise