14.2 About Pinan Kata

 

Yasutsune Itosu learned a form from a Chinese living in Okinawa. This form was called "Chiang Nan" by the Chinese and the form became known as "Channan" to the Okinawan masters. It seems that the name sounds strange to the Okinawans and is, for them, somewhat difficult to say. In Japanese, the "n" sound is often followed by a subtle "g". So, "Channan" is pronounced like "Chahng nan" with the "ng" not so fully expressed. With this premise, Channan does seem a little awkward to say. Itosu considered that "Channan" was both hard to say and too long to be easily taught.

 

In 1906 he broke the form into five smaller forms (Kata) and called these smaller sets Pinan. He then introduced them to the children of the Okinawan schools. Continuing with the concept, Itosu founded (or in truth broke apart and renamed) other Kata and these newly structured Kata later became the basis of the Japanese Shorin styles.

 

The masters Takagi and Uku support this story, and masters from other schools, like Chozo Nakama tell it too. The Channan form remained preserved when passed to "favoured students" and is still detailed in the school records.

 

The Pinan Kata created by Itosu Sensei are based on two Kata: Channan I and Channan II. Some believe that Pinan Shodan (or Heien Nidan) is Channan I and that Pinan Nidan (Heian Shodan) is Channan II, whilst others believe that Channan I and II are simply 'lost' and that nobody truly knows these forms today. The head of a Chinese system is said to have claimed that he has Channan I and II, and that there is - in fact - a Channan III but there are no real means to verify or refute his claims.

 

The Okinawan name Pinan was later renamed (by Gichin Funakoshi) to Heian (meaning: 'peace and harmony'). It's literal translation is "great peace" or "peaceful mind".

 

It is true that the movements of Kata involve techniques that are used for unarmed combat. However, the purpose of the Pinan (Heian) Kata is to develop a calm, peaceful mind and a harmony between the mind and body. Most Okinawan styles have kept the name Pinan.