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.