Heian (karate)

Description

These Kata S is traditionnellements taught at the beginning of the training of karate in the majority of the schools or styles. Although they strongly resemble the Pinan, they are different and do not have to be comparable there in a general way. It is important besides to note that these katas is called Pinan in certain styles and Heian in others while speaking about same the katas. Certain styles practice even Pinan and Heian; they are, in this case, different. It is known however that the Pinan denomination is of Chinese origin, and Heian of Japanese origin. It would thus seem logical that the Heian are older than the Pinan.

Even if the divergent opinion as for the origin of the Heian denomination and as for why name change of Pinan towards Heian, it seems generally allowed that Heian sounded much Japanese than the word original Pinan. The idea of Anko Itosu being to found the training of these katas in the fundamental schools of the Japanese “continent”, it was unthinkable that the Chinese origin of karate shows through openly. Same manner, much of others katas “was thus japonisés”.

The katas Heian are named in the order:

Heian Shodan
Heian Nidan
Heian Sandan
Heian Yo (N) daN
Heian Godan

daN means level in Japanese and Sho (1), Nor (2), etc.

Execution of Heian in the various styles

In Shotokan

The katas Heian are the first katas that the karate experts learn in Shotokan karate in parallel with the Taikyoku. They will be learned in the order and deepened with each passage from rank.

Heian Shodan

Heian Shodan (平安初段) is the first Kata of the Heian series practiced in Karaté Shotokan-ryu. Heian Shodan is the base of the practice of the Karaté and is in general the first Kata that a karate expert learns and practical. An alternative called Taikyoku Shodan (which with the same form as Heian Shodan but with some subtilitées of fists) is also practiced by certain federations. Corresponds to Pinan Nidan, it is composed of 21 techniques and is carried out in approximately 25 seconds.

Execution step by step in images

Outline Video

Heian Nidan

It corresponds to Pinan Shodan and is related with Bassai Dai. It was at the beginning first then famous Heian but like second Heian by Gichin Funakoshi.

The kata is composed of 26 movements and is carried out in approximately 40 seconds. This kata contains, compared to Heian Shodan, of the more difficult techniques like Yoko Geri (side kick) and Mae Geri (frontal kick), Nukite (striking of the end of the fingers) and Uchi Uke (technique of blocking of interior in outside). An central element of this kata is the position backwards called Kokutsu Dachi which is particularly frequent there.

Outline Video

Heian Sandan

Heian Sandan follows directly the kata Heian Nidan in the training and contains low and average techniques.

The gasoline of this kata is the use of the front armlevers against an attack with the bust. Particularly note the quite right behavior of the shoulders at the time of a punch, also the control of the right position of the back on the position of the horse Kiba Dachi and the use of the body (Tai Sabaki) in simultaneous displacements of the feet (Yori Ashi). This kata whose diagram of reproduction (Embusen) form one T, is composed of 20 movements (23 at Funakoshi, 21 at Kanazawa) and its execution lasts on average 25 to 40 seconds.

Outline Video

Heian Yondan

This kata is characterized by a great dynamics, the study of double techniques of blocking and the use of techniques of feet. This one was extremely probably derived from the kata Kushanku (or Kanku). It is composed of 27 actions and is carried out in approximately 50 seconds.

Outline Video

Heian Godan

Number of the basic principles of Karate are joined together in this kata: Mizu nagare-gamae represents this famous principle: the techniques of defense, the techniques of defense alternated between the three levels (Gedan, Chudan, Jodan), the seizure of weapon and counter-attack, the technique of counter-attack by change of orientation, the dodging of an attack by a jump, to dodge and counter (Tai Sabaki) with techniques of the type Nagashi (slipped techniques) and traditional the Kamaekata Manji-gamae, etc By the profusion of the techniques, this kata establishes a good base of a rich person style of combat. Consequently, it is logical that its execution requires accuracy of rate/rhythm and timing. This kata combines alternatively successive fast movements and fast techniques of attack. It is composed of 25 movements and should be carried out in approximately 50 seconds.

Outline Video

In Shito-ryu

The Pinan S are the first katas taught in Shito-ryu. They correspond to a more modern evolution of the Heian taught in Shito-ryu: the levels correspond for except for Pinan Shodan which corresponds to Heian Nidan and conversely. It is besides surprising that Heian are taught as an older form (higher positions) whereas the denomination is more recent than Pinan.