Source 1:
"Seibukan katas" by
Kim Mitrunen & Tommi Prami
Itosu
Anko, who was a sensei to schoolchildren, developed this series of kata.
Itosu took elements from different kata, Kusanku for example, and
incorporated them in the series of forms. It is interesting to note
there is mention that elements of the old Channan kata located in the
techniques of the Pinan series. In Okinawa, there are still some
teachers who say that they still know how the kata Channan is performed,
but the likelihood is that the kata does not exist in complete form
anymore. The Pinan series contains many high stances like choku dachi
and narrow stances like neko ashi dachi. There exist many basic
foundation maneuvers in the Pinan kata, as well as many basic
techniques, presented in an easier format than the complete traditional
kata they came from. In many mainstream Japanese
styles, Pinan is known as Heian. Funakoshi Gichin made this name change.
His philosophy was to teach Pinan Nidan first because he felt it was an
easier transition into the Pinan series.
The
Pinan Katas (Ping 'An in Chinese) are very important. The name Pinan
means "Peaceful Mind." This name seems to be inspired by the
Bubishi. In article 1 on the History and Philosophy of White Crane. It
says, "Immeasurable self-conquests are made possible through a
peaceful mind and inner harmony. The strength and resiliency gained from
martial art training fosters an inner force with which one can overcome
any opponent and conquer worldly delusion and misery." Pinan Shodan
and Nidan were created by Bushi Matsumura, and were originally called
Channan Sho and Dai. They were based on kata taught at Fukien Shaolin in
the Five Elder style. The Chinese reading for this name is "Chiag
Nan." Chiag Nan was the name of a Chinese Diplomat who resided
Shuri. It is possible that Bushi got the techniques from him. Itosu
created Pinan Sandan, Yondan, and Godan and added them to his own
system. Some sources say he took them from other Chinese kata also
called Chiag Nan that he got from a Chinese master, who may have also
been Chaig Nan himself. These three are not Matsumura kata, but were
passed down other Shorin lines.
Source 2:
Also
Known As: Heian, Heinan.
Meaning: Way of peace (literally, "Great Peace",
sometimes translated as "Calm Mind", "Peaceful
Mind", "Serenity", or "Security.")
History:
The Pinan kata series was introduced into the Okinawan School District
karate program as gym training from 1902 to 1907 by Ankoh Itosu. The
history of this kata is somewhat controversial - Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu
stylists claim that Itosu developed all five kata using either the kata
Passai and Kusanku. The Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu tradition states that
Itosu only developed Pinan 5 by himself. (It is curious to note that
Chosin Chibana, Itosu's senior disciple and Kobayashi founder, taught
only Pinan 5 and Naihanchi 3 out of respect for Itosu's authorship.)
Hohan Soken (family inheritor of Bushi Matsumura's style) taught only
Pinan 1 and 2; saying that Matsumura had devised these two and laid
framework for Pinan 3 and 4.
Gichin
Funikoshi revised the order of 1 and 2, changed the kata name to Heian,
and initiated deeper stances and higher kicks. He also replaced front
kicks with side kicks and altered other moves in the series. Funakoshi
was so well known for teaching the Pinan series that he was often
referred to as the "Pinan Sensei." Interesting enough, he did
not learn the Pinans from Itsou as he had already finished his training
with the great mejin before they were developed.
According
to several sources, Funikoshi was first introduced to the Pinans during
a trip to Osaka where he received instruction from Kenwa Mabuni, the
founder of Shito-Ryu.
During
his subsequent visits he learned a number of the kata from Mabuni that
would eventually be taught in the Shotokan system. Regardless of their
origin or lineage, there is no doubt that today the Pinan Series is
practiced world-wide by Okinawan, Japanese, as well as some Korean
styles.
Source 3:
Most
historians believe that the Pinan kata were composed and introduced
after 1902 by Anko Itosu(1813-1915). Itosu was one of the most
accomplished student of Soken Matsumura. and a teacher to Chotoku Kyan
and Choki Motobu, two of Grandmaster Nagamine's most prominent
instructors. Pinan kata clearly has many similar techniques and
sequences as the Matsubayashi-shorin-ryu version of the kusanku kata.
Therefore many believe Itoshu derived Pinan from this form. When Karate
was first introduced publicly in the high school in okinawa. Itosu did
not want to give the impression that Karate -do was about violence or
aggression. Consequently, he introduced Pinan kata, which translated
means "Peaceful Mind". Pinan kata strives to develop a mental state
in the practitioner similar to the state of awareness in Zen Buddhism.
That is, where the mind is completely relaxed, yet completely alert at
the same time. In Pinan kata, the practitioner is surrounded on all
sides by several imaginary opponents, but does not know in which
direction the first attack will be unable to react to an attack by
multiple opponents. it is essential to clear your mind of all
distractions in order to change direction and prepare for the next
attack. All five Pinan kata begin with an imaginary opponent attacking
from the left. In Matsubayashi shorin-ryu it was decided for the first
move of each Pinan kata that the practitioner should move away from the
attack by steppingback with the right foot and twisting into a cat
stance. In other Shorin-ryu styles the practitioner, however, moves into
the oncoming attack by moving the left foot first. Psychologically this
is an enormous difference. The way this technique is performed can chang
the entire nature and philosophy of the Pinan form. Pinan kata is about
developing the skill to move out of the way of harm by stepping at an
angle in the cat stance. The practitioner must land with the weight down
so that the spring is already tightly compressed once the practitioner's
leg touches the ground. in Pinan, the practitioner learns to move away
which is a basic for beginner and intermediate Level practitioners. In
more advanced kata, the practitioner develops the skill to move in when
being attacked. The first time in the Matsubayashi-shorin-ryu curriculum
that this technique is used is at the begining of Wankan kata. In pinan,
step at an angle, away from the attacker so that it is advantageous to
deliver the counter attack. As soon as the toes of the right foot touch
the ground, use the legs to snap the hips and generate power on the
blocks, When the practitioner steps back to avoid the attack they must
land with their weight already dropped, so that the coil is already
compressed. This create greater speed and power on the subsequent
counter attack. Before turning or changing direction in pinan, the
practitioner must remember to look in the direction of the attack before
moving their bodies. |
