Naihanchin Kata: This form comes to Isshin-ryu from Choki Motobu

There are many theories as to where Naihanchin kata is supposed to be taking place. The most popular is with your back against the wall while facing oncoming attackers. Others believe the kata is actually moving straight ahead and that the karateka is only presenting his/her side to minimize target areas. It has even been translated as lying on your back mat technique. Motobu sensei claims it contains hidden kicks and hidden techniques.

Naihanchi has seen various changes over time. Naihanchin kata, in most styles starts to the right, but the Isshin-Ryu version it starts to the left. According to John Sell’s book Unante, the Tomari-te version of Naihanchin starts to the left also. This may or may not be the reason the Isshin-Ryu version moves to the left. At some point someone changed its starting direction and we may never know their reason why. The very design of the kata indicates that it makes no difference. A well rounded karateka should practice the kata starting right and left. Direction was not the only evolution this kata undertook. Even the name was changed. Funakoshi sensei changed the name from Naihanchin to Tekki. Tekki translates “Iron Horse.” Although there is evidence that some change has occurred, in the kata, the basic form remains intact.

This kata is practiced in Okinawan, Japanese, and Korean karate systems. It is named Naihanchin in Okinawa, Tekki-Shodan in Japan, and Tekki-Hana in Korea. This kata like others is a derivative of the Chinese kungfu forms. John Sells sensei believes that is could possibly have its origins in the Chinese “Daipochin.” Regardless of its origins it has survived for hundreds of years, and martial artists today still look deeply into its bunkai to find new and devastating technique all over the world. Choki Motobu’s system taught only the Naihanchi katas. He believed that Naihanchin kata contained every facet of karate, and that karateka needed no other forms. Choki Motobu sensei was taught this kata by Matsumura sensei himself. Most systems that can trace their lineage back to Matsumura sensei contain at least one version of Naihanchin.

The leg sweeping actions in the kata have generated much bunkai associated with them, but according to Chosei Motobu they were front kicks disguised as sweeps. Many systems claim that these sweeps are actually stomps to the back of the attacker’s knee. Others believe they’re the end result of a reaping throw to the lead leg.

This kata is characterized by its deep horse stances. Isshin-Ryu student must be monitored when first learning this kata because Seiuchin utilizes a similar stance with the toes pointing outward Shiko-dachi. Kiba-dachi uses a pigeon-toed version of this sitting stance. The renowned Shorin-ryu instructor William Hayes asked his sensei Eizo Shimabukuro (O-sensei) about the impracticality of the deep stances of Naihanchin. The deep stances impedes one’s mobility in a fight, so is appears that the stances are outdated. Eizo Shimabukuro sensei explained that there are different horse stances. When a horse is walking the rider sits low in the saddle with the knees bent, but as the horse begins to gallop the rider stands in the stirrups in a higher position. Our horse stance must adjust to our circumstance.