Heian Kata

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HEIAN

Previous names :

Pinan

Meaning of kata :

Peaceful mind. Also known as 'Calm Mind', 'Way of Peace', 'Great Peace' and 'Way of Peace'.

Origins of kata :

The Heian kata were created by Master Itosu in the early 1900s. It is believed that Master Itosu created the Heian kata from another kata he had learned from a Chinese karate exponent living in Okinawa. This kata was called 'Chiang nan' and became known as 'Channan'.

Elements of the five Heian kata also resemble parts of the kata Kanku Dai, Tekki Shodan and Bassai Dai and it is possible that Sensei Itosu created them from these which would have been too difficult to teach to beginners.

There are five Heian kata, Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan. Shodan being the easiest and Godan the hardest. The kata Heian Nidan was originally the first of the series. Sensei Funakoshi realising that this kata was much harder than Heian Shodan changed the order in which they are taught to the current order.

Sensei Funakoshi in his book Karate do Kyohan states that once the five Heian kata have been mastered one can be confident that he is able to defend himself competently in most situations.

Sensei Funakoshi was responsible for changing the names of the kata from Pinan to Heian in the early 1900s to faciltate the introduction of karate from Okinawa to Japan.

Practised by :

Shotokan, Wado Ryu and Shito Ryu.