To further confuse the matter, there are also multiple forms, and multiple names for the same forms – Naihanchin Dai, Naihanchin Shodan, Naihanchi, Naifuanchi, Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, etc.

Of course, all this variety leads to some confusion, so I thought it would be worthwhile to explore the origins of Naihanchin.

Naihanchin is one of the oldest kata in the Shorin / Shuri-te based heritage of Okinawa.  We don’t know the exact origins of the kata, but it is almost certain that at least one form of Naihanchin was developed or popularised by the great ”Bushi” Sokon Matsumura (1809-1901).  This is evidenced by the fact that almost every Shuri-te based heritage practices some form of this kata.

What we don’t know is if Naihanchin tracks back before Matsumura to China.  Sells (2000) believes that some version of Naihanchin predates Matsumura.  Certainly, there is some evidence of a form known as Dai Po Chin, which not only has a similar sounding name, but has common elements in terms of techniques and principles.  I am not sure if we’ll every really be able to prove whether this is true or not.  The problem is made more difficult as Naihanchin is thought to no longer exist in China (Motobu, 2002).

Matsumura taught Naihanchin as the first kata to his students – in much the same way that Sanchin has been propagated among Naha-te / Goju based styles as a first kata.  Among these students were famous karateka including Ankoh Azato, Ankoh Itosu, Chotoku Kyan and Chomo Hanashiro.  The Shorinjiryu heritage of Naihanchin is traced back from Kaiso Kori Hisataka to Master Kyan (Hisataka, 1994).

Master Ankoh Itosu was known to have further developed the Naihanchin forms, and is credited with developing the Naihanchin Sandan form (and perhaps Naihanchin Nidan).  Shorinjiryu's  Naihanchin however is descended from Matsumura’s Naihanchin (Naihanchin Shodan).  Itosu was one of the teachers of Master Gichin Funakoshi, who renamed the three kata as Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan and Tekki Sandan.

The question about which form is closest to the original Matsumura form is often asked.  Both Master Kyan and Kaiso Kori Hisataka are known to have tailored the form of a kata to suit the individual they were teaching, so it’s hard to know exactly.  But, a review of other, related systems of karate would suggest that the form we know as Koshiki Naihanchin closely resembles that practiced in other Shuri-te styles.  So we can quite safely conclude that Koshiki (meaning “old style” in this case) Naihanchin is in fact close to the mark.

The major difference between the Shorinjiryu Naihanchin kata and those of other systems is primarily related to the addition of kicking and punching techniques. Kaiso Kori Hisataka introduced these changes to make the kata “more complete”.

The evolution of Naihanchin is in itself an interesting phenomenon.  It is certain that Kaiso Kori Hisataka modified the form based on his experiences and personal research in Okinawa, China, Mongolia and Japan.  The form of this Naihanchin was probably similar to that originally introduced to North America in the 1960’s by Hanshi Hisataka, Kaicho Watanabe, Shihan Kashimoto, Shihan Ishino, Shihan Morita and others. 

In contrast, the current form (Koshiki Naihanchin) being emphasised in Japan is more linear and contains far less movement.  It has come full circle to be closer to the form of Matsumura, while keeping some of Kaiso Hisataka’s innovations – namely the kicking and punching techniques.

So while Koshiki Naihanchin may be closer to the original form, the longer one could be considered more representative and is a signature kata of our style.  Thus both versions are important to our history.

The name Naihanchin means sideways fighting, perhaps in a confined space or alley-way.  Superficially, Naihanchin does not seem to contain many standard techniques, and appears to be mostly blocking and stepping.  Master Shoshin Nagamine (1976) suggested that the main point of Naihanchin might be development of lower body strength. However, others contend it is a grappling kata, consisting of restraints, arm and wristlocks, takedowns and throwing techniques (Johnson, 1994).

One interesting consideration with Naihanchin is that its opening move is often interpreted as an offensive strike.  This is seemingly at odds with the precept "karate ni sente nashi" (there is no first attack in karate).  However, the famous master Choki Motobu (among others) suggest that the real meaning of the precept is that we should never “strike or harm someone without just cause”, but once it is obvious a fight is the only option, then maybe the best form of defence is offence (Motobu, 2002).

Naihanchin is one of the most important kata in our system (or perhaps I should say, one of the most important set of kata).  Its legacy is traced through Kaiso Kori Hisataka to Chotoku Kyan and back to Bushi Matsumura.  I hope that this short article might spur you to take a moment to have a closer look whenever you practice it in the future.

References

• Hisataka, M. (1976). Scientific Karatedo. Tokyo: Japan Publications
• Hisataka, M. (1994). Essential Shorinjiryu Karatedo.  Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle.
• Johnson, N. (1994). Zen Shaolin Karate: The Complete Practice, Philosophy and History.  Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle.
• Motobu, C (2002). Karate: My Art.  Brisbane: International Ryukyu Karate Research Group.
• Nagamine, S. (1976). The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do.  Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle
• Sells, J. (2000). Unante: The Secrets of Karate (2nd Ed.).  Hollywood: Panchita S. Hawley.