Kata history: Naihanchi
ナイファンチ
The series of kata usually known by the name of Naihanchi takes the modern form of three distinct sequences labelled shodan, nidan and sandan. These kata have particular characteristics that set them apart from other traditional kata: Their linear and lateral ombusen and the almost exclusive use of kiba-dachi (horse-ridding stance).
There remains little historical knowledge regarding the origin of these kata, but most historians agree that an original kata, simply named Naifanchi used to be the entry point of karate learning before the twentieth century. This kata could have been introduced to Okinawa by Sokon Matsumura, through a chinese kwanfa practitioner named Ason. It is therefore an important kata in the Shuri-te current of Okinawan empty hand fighting art.
These kata, when practiced intensively, help develop core and leg strength. The closed-range techniques teach the karateka to move the hara (center of the body's energy) properly and efficiently.
On the surface, the Naihanchi kata seems to apply techniques only to the sides, which led many karateka to believe it was specifically designed for certain figthing conditions (against a wall, in a corridor or across a narrow path in a rice field). However such theories are easily dismissed once the practitioner understands the whole range of application of the complex techniques taught in these kata.
The name of this kata was changed to Tekki by Gishin Funakoshi upon its introduction to Japan (early twentieth century).
The proper execution of the three Naihanchi kata must be demonstrated in order to obtain the 4th kyu of our school.
The series of kata usually known by the name of Naihanchi takes the modern form of three distinct sequences labelled shodan, nidan and sandan. These kata have particular characteristics that set them apart from other traditional kata: Their linear and lateral ombusen and the almost exclusive use of kiba-dachi (horse-ridding stance).
There remains little historical knowledge regarding the origin of these kata, but most historians agree that an original kata, simply named Naifanchi used to be the entry point of karate learning before the twentieth century. This kata could have been introduced to Okinawa by Sokon Matsumura, through a chinese kwanfa practitioner named Ason. It is therefore an important kata in the Shuri-te current of Okinawan empty hand fighting art.
These kata, when practiced intensively, help develop core and leg strength. The closed-range techniques teach the karateka to move the hara (center of the body's energy) properly and efficiently.
On the surface, the Naihanchi kata seems to apply techniques only to the sides, which led many karateka to believe it was specifically designed for certain figthing conditions (against a wall, in a corridor or across a narrow path in a rice field). However such theories are easily dismissed once the practitioner understands the whole range of application of the complex techniques taught in these kata.
The name of this kata was changed to Tekki by Gishin Funakoshi upon its introduction to Japan (early twentieth century).
The proper execution of the three Naihanchi kata must be demonstrated in order to obtain the 4th kyu of our school.