"The Pinan Kata"

The Pinan Kata were composed by Anko Itso on Okinawa in 1907 as a way to teach Karate to the general public and school children. The kata are a modified version of the advanced ancient kata which were thought to be too difficult for the beginner student of karate.

The Pinan kata are found in most traditional styles in many countries. The other styles use the Okinawan kata as a way of teaching students their martial art. The Japanese style Shotokan renamed the Pinan kata Heian. The Korean art of Tae Kwon Do also employs the Pinan by another name, as many other styles have done.

The most difficult move in the kata is the chest- block-kick technique followed by the step and turn in middle-block-cat- stance position. The position of the chest block wrist/arm and chambered hand must remain in place during the kick, the arms then chamber (wind-up) for the next move while placing the right foot before turning and blocking open-hand middle block. An instructor may explain further. Timing is crucial to the movements. The other difficult move is the kosa-dachi chest block, kick and reverse punch combination. Timing and focus of the block kick and punch is also most important.

Height changes from one stance to the other are imperative and explained in detail in the Building Warrior Spirit book. Also weight distribution in the various stances are detailed in the book.

The Pinan prepare the beginner/intermediate student for the ancient kata as well as developing coordination, balance, timing and more advanced karate skills. The habits developed in the Pinan always carry over to the other kata and should be learned correctly to avoid having to re-learn the skills. One can start right now to improve, it is never too late to do better. Once the technique are done correctly and proficiently, by rote, the practitioner should practice the moves without thought, with full speed and power.

Arigato, Kyoshi Robert Scaglione.