Chinto Kata (Video)

Chinto Kata

AOKK Chinto Kata:

When practicing any strike or block, emotion must be removed from the equation, Anger or fear impedes your movement. These two emotions must be controlled in fighting. The mind cannot focus on two things at once. If you’re angry or afraid, you’ve placed the brakes on your defense. Anger slows you down. When executing any block or strike, the body must be relaxed until the moment of contact. Hip rotation and every movement must be timed to stop at the same time for maximum transfer of power. This is true of the mind as well.  Your mind must remain in a relaxed state to minimize resistance to performing any strike or block. As the old adage goes, “Be like water” or flow and adapt to any situation.

The origin of Chinto kata is somewhat mythical, but supposedly Chikudan Pechin (his title) Sokon Matsumura learned it from a shipwrecked Chinese sailor. The sailor was hiding in caves and looting local farms stealing food and whatever was necessary for his survival. This obviously caused a problem for the local farmers and once the king was made aware of the situation Soko Matsumura, head of the palace guards, was dispatched to arrest the thief. After locating the thief in the caves where he had been hiding, Matsumura, probably the most renowned martial artist of his time, was unable to take the sailor into custody. He was elusive spinning as Matsumura tried in vain to capture the thief. He jumped up onto rocks and kicked at the karate master. The crazy sailor jumped and kicked twice while in the air. Matsumura was unprepared for this attack and counterattack, so to reconcile the situation he bartered with the sailor. In return for teaching Matsumura and the palace guards his remarkable style of kung-fu they would provide food and lodging for homeless refugee. Is this mere fantasy, we do not know, but the kata was taught by Sokon Matsumura to Chotoku Kyan.

Chinto kata is unique. It like Naihanchin is performed on a straight line, but the difference is that, in the Kyan sensei version, the line itself is on a forty-five-degree angle making it difficult to stay in position. Other masters performed it front to back (Matsumora), and side to side (Itosu/Sokon Matsumura). The front-to-back version can be seen in the Wado-ryu system. Kyan sensei was Shimabukuro Tatsuo’s instructor, so we perform the kata on a forty-five-degree angle.

Series-0:  Ready Position

  • After the bow the feet straighten and remain shoulder width apart.
  • The fists cross and rotate slightly past the sides of you body.

Series-1:

  • Step with your right foot on a forty-five degree angle into a left foot forward cat stance:
  • Execute an X-block slightly to the side.
  • Roll hands palm-heel to palm-heel in a (counter-clockwise) CCW rotation:
  • R-H spear-finger strike to throat palm-up. L-H is palm down over left biceps muscle.
  • Back-knuckle strike.                                                    
  • Turn into a right Seisan –Dachi on the oblique;
  • Execute a Hooking-Punch.

Note: Shimabuku performs a horizontal Hook punch in this kata based upon his films. Mitchum, Advincula, Uezu, and Long perform a vertical snap punch, yet Nagel performs a vertical Hooking punch.

Note: Research shows Shimabuku, Advincula, and Nagel, all Isshin-ryu masters, perform this punch from Kiba-dachi or Horse stance. Uezu, also a master of Isshin-ryu, performs the punch from Seisan-dachi or the Forward Walking stance. Master Mitchum preforms the punch from a Seisan-dachi on the oblique. Which is very close to Seisan but could be interpreted as a Horse-stance. 

Series-2:

  • Turn 180 degrees into horse riding stance.[Kiba-dachi]
  • Execute what looks like a L-H high middle block and a R-H low block simultaneously.
  • Pivot on the right foot CW spin 180 degrees into Seisan-Dachi.
  • Execute a L-H Low block.

Series-3:

  • Draw back into a left foot forward cat stance.
  • Execute an X-block.
  • Double front kick and land in Seisan-Dachi with the left leg forward.
  • Same stance Seisan-Dachi left leg forward.
  • Execute a Low X-block.
  • Pick-up left front foot turn 180 degrees into Seisan-Dachi left foot forward:
  • Execute a Low X-block.

Series-4:

  • Turn 180 degrees right foot forward Seisan-dachi.
  • R-H vertical back-knuckle block.
  • Using the same hand, R-H vertical snap punch.
  • Step forward into Seisan-Dachi left leg forward;
  • Execute a L-H vertical snap punch:
  • (Same Stance) Seisan-Dachi left leg forward:
  • Trap the head with L-H.
  • Turn the L-H vertical,
  • Elbow strike the open L-H with the right elbow.

Series-5:

  • (Same Stance) Seisan-Dachi left leg forward:
  • Shuto guarding block:
  • Pull back into a Back stance left leg forward. [Kokutsu-dachi]
  • Move the hands in double shuto strike low and behind back:
  • Keep your head forward:
  • Step forward into right foot forward Kokutsu–dachi.
  • Swing the arms around and pull the hands behind you in a Double horizontal shuto strikes:

Note: Research shows that the first stance is predominantly a back-stance while the second is a Seiuchin or Shiko dachi like stance (Shimabuku, Mitchum, Advincula). (Uezu, Long, Nagel) perform both stances in the Shiko dachi.

Note: An Attacker has grasp your clothing in an attempt to control your movement. Weave your hands between the attacker’s grasp and remove their lapel grab. Step backwards and pull them forwards.

Note: Reverse direction and shuto strike the opponent as the hands pass in front of your body. L-H shuto strike palm down and R-H shuto strike palm-up. [Upper-body 13 or Chart 1]

Series-6:

  • Pivot forward into right foot forward Seisan–dachi on the oblique..
  • Double horizontal shuto strikes to the collarbones.
  • Pivot back into horse riding stance right foot forward:
  • Double back-knuckle strike to the ground.

Note: Hanto kata Series 6 bunkai is varied for this move, but mostly it is considered a throw. [AOKK Volume 3 Hanto Kata and Bunkai]

Series-7:

  • Turn into right foot forward Seisan-dachi:
  • Execute R-H middle Shuto-uki block. [Knife-hand Block]
  • (Same Stance) right foot forward Seisan-dachi:
  • Turn the open R-H vertical.
  • Drive the left forearm into the R-H and grasp the right wrist.
  • L-H rolls CW over onto and grasps the right wrist of the R-H.
  • The R-H opens.
  • Turn 180 degrees right foot forward Seisan-dachi on the oblique:
  • Execute a R-H wristlock throw.

Note: Some Isshin-Ryu schools do this move with a closed hand. It is still the same move and bunkai regardless of its appearance.

Series-8:

  • Step back into crane stance left foot over right:
  • Execute a R-H low block.
  • Step forward and execute a front snap kick with right leg:

Series-9:

  • Step down into forward a right foot forward Horse-riding stance. [Kiba-dachi]
  • Swing the twin knuckle or thumbs strikes around and in front of your obi palms down.
  • Roll the fists over and execute twin back-knuckle strikes to the ground.

Note: If we examine Hanto kata Series 8, the simplest bunkai has this move as a double strike to the attacker’s kidneys. As the attacker backs up drive twin uppercut strikes to the ribs.  [AOKK Volume 3 Hanto Kata and Bunkai]

  • Twist into crane stance right foot over left foot:
  • Execute twin high forearm blocks:
  • Step forward left foot forward Seisan-dachi on the oblique:
  • Execute R-H high forearm block and simultaneously execute a L-H low block with the left arm. [Scissor Block]
  • Step forward right foot forward Seisan-dachi:
  • Execute L-H high forearm block and simultaneously execute a R-H low block with the right arm. [Scissor Block]
  • Pivot on the right foot and spin 360 degree into left foot forward Seisan-dachi.
  • Execute a L-H low block.

   Series-10:

  • Twist 180 degrees into crane stance left foot over right:
  • Execute twin high forearm blocks:
  • Step forward with right foot into horse-riding stance:
  • Execute a right horizontal elbow strike to side and chamber the L-H on obi (Belt):
  • (Same Stance) Kiba-dachi horse-riding stance:
  • Roll the fists over and execute a twin back-knuckle strike to the ground.

Series-11:

  • Twist into crane stance right foot over left foot.
  • Execute Twin high forearm blocks.
  • (Same Stance) crane stance right foot over left foot:
  • Chamber both hands on the hips. [Large Circular Move from Kung-fu]
  • Execute a snap kick with left leg.
  • Step forward into right foot forward Seisan-Dachi:
  • Execute a R-H vertical snap punch.

Series-12:

  • Step backwards with the left foot into a Horse-riding stance. [Kiba-dachi]
  • Swing the twin knuckle or thumbs strikes around and in front of your obi palms down.
  • Step backwards with right foot into crane stance:
  • Execute a R-H low block.                                                   
  • (Same Stance) Crane stance left foot over right foot:
  • Chamber hands on hips
  • Execute a snap kick with right leg.
  • Step behind and turn180 degrees into crane stance right foot over left foot:
  • Execute a L-H low block.
  • (Same Stance) crane stance right foot over left foot:
  • Chamber hands on hips.
  • Execute a snap kick with left leg:

Series-13:

  • Step into left Seisan-Dachi.
  • Execute L-H middle shuto strike.
  • Turn the L-H vertical.
  • Execute a R-H middle forearm strike:
  • Snap kick with right leg:
  • Step down into right Seisan-Dachi:
  • Drop down on left knee:
  • Execute a L-H vertical snap punch:

Series-14:

  • Final Bow
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