Naihanchi (a.k.a. Naifuanchi) is typical of in-fighting techniques,
including grappling. There are three kata in modern (i.e. post 1900)
karate, with the second and third being thought to have been created by
Itosu Anko (Iwai, 1992; Kinjo, 1991a; Murakami, 1991). Another popular
theory is that originally the three were one kata, but were broken up into
three separate parts by Itosu (Aragaki, 2000; Iwai, 1992).
This kata was not originally developed to be used when fighting against a
wall, but this does not preclude such interpretations. While the kata
itself goes side to side, the applications are more often than not against
an attacker who is in front of you, or grabbing at you from the sides or
behind. Some say that the side-to-side movement is to build up the
necessary balance and physique for quick footwork and body-shifting
(Kinjo, 1991b).
Interestingly, most versions of Naihanchi start to the right side,
including Itosu, Matsumura and Kyan's versions. Isshinryu's Naihanchi
starts to the left. There are others that start to the left as well,
including that of Kishimoto Soko lineage schools like Genseiryu and
Bugeikan (Shukumine, 1966), the Tomari version of Matsumora Kosaku lineage
schools like Gohakukai (Okinawa Board of Education, 1995), and Motobu
Choki's version (Motobu, 1997). This last may account for Shimabuku Tatsuo
beginning his Naihanchi to the left.
Isshinryu Naihanchi is basically a re-working of the classical Naihanchi
Shodan, in order to keep it in line with the principles around which
Shimabuku built his style. The main reason Shimabuku did not retain
Naihanchi Nidan and Sandan is probably because his primary teacher Kyan
did not teach them (Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education, 1995).
*from
The Kata of Okinawa Isshinryu Karate-do: An Informal Discussion on their
Possible Origins by Joe Swift
