Level of Difficulty - Beginner White Belt

This Kata describes its intent, purpose, and meaning in its name, which literally means "fighting in a narrow space". There are various versions of this kata and the prefix Koshiki indicates that this particular version is thought to be an original or ancient version.

The meaning of the name is twofold. Firstly, its has a mental or psychlogical meaning suggesting that one must overcome the self to become a better person. Seconldy, on a physical level, Naihanchin implies a situation of fighting ina confined are between two or moe attackers. 

For example, the situation faced in this kata has been variously interpreted as being on a narrow bridge, road, or with your back against a wall or precipice. These two meaning summarize the true purpose of Karate and Budo: self-defense and self-improvement.

As mentioned, there are several forms of Naihanchin in modern Karatedo, such as Koshiki Naihanchin, Kudaka no Naihanchin and others. These forms differ in terms of actual techniques and sequences employed, but it should be remembered that the underlying principles, meanings and teachings are consistent. 

Koshiki Naihanchin is among the oldest Kata, having originally been developed on Kudaka Island. In turn the kata evolved into its modern form in Okinawa, having been handed down from Tode Sakugawa to Sokon Matsumura and then to Ankoh Asato and CHotoku Kyan and finally to Shihan Masayoshi Hisataka. Naihanchin is considered to be representative of Shuri te Shorinjiryu, or Karate developed in the area of Shuri city. It is interesting to note that the famous Master Choki Motobu, in his oursuit of Karatedo, is thought to have only learnt two Kata: Naihanchin and Bassai. This shows that a true understanding of a kata can only be gained from proper and deep study, and that such a deep level of understanding of but a handful of kata can lead to a complete understanding of Karatedo and Budo.

There are several primary teachings and strategies to be gained from the study of Naihanchin. Firstly, this kata is a praactical example of the saying "there is no first attack in karate". Although Naihanchin's opening move can be interpreted as a n attack, it is designed to seize the initiative against several attackers and is thus a form of defense. Thus, the true meaning of the saying means that Karate or Budo should not be used for provocation or to cause conflict, but to defend oneself in the best possible way if attacked. In this way, Naihanchin emphasizes how to stand, in which posture, guard, and attitude to best defend oneself in the best possible way if attacked. In other words, it teaches how to protect your back in the most strategic way.

Secondly, Naihanchin teaches one to train for the worst possible scenario, such as standing ina small boat, ona  slippery log, on sand, mud, ice, snow, or with your back to a precipice. By mentally putting yourself in such situations a proper understanding of balance, posture, and stance can be learnt practically and strategically. This form of training is regarded as being superior in many ways, namely: mentally, spiritually, psychologically and of course physically.

Thirdly, Naihanchin emphasizes opening the eyes to the front and to the back: that is the development of a "third eye" that is able to see to all four corners and inall eight directions.

For the above reasons, Naihanchin in one form or another was tradtionally the first kata taught in Budo and this remains the case in the International Budo Institute. The form practiced by the International Budo Institute was modified by Shihan Masayoshi Hisataka to include the front punch and front kick sequences. In this way a truly complete form of the original kata was created.

Source: Shihan Des Paroz of the Australian Kengokai and Technical Advisor to The International Budo Institute and is reprinted as it appears in Essential Shorinjiryu Karatedo - Hisataka (1994).