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The Great Pinan

Q-Pinan Dai (The Great Pinan)
The Great Pinan, practiced by some schools, is an amalgamation of all the five Pinan kata. The order in which the five kata are performed is changed from that of the simple and basic training order (above) and in this order the five kata blend naturally from one to another, without any breaks forming one elaborate and intricate kata. This kata although Okinawan in origination encompasses the basic Buddhist elements and is performed in their order of earth, water, fire, air and ether as also outlined by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai) of the Japanese Heian period.

Sensei, do we learn this kata?

A-The pinan (peaceful mind) kata series were developed by Itosu Sensei to teach children Karate. The technique of the kata was extracted from the kusanku kata and a Tomari-te kata by the name of "Channan" or "Channon" depending on how it is translated into romanji. I don't know of anyone who still practices Channan. I beleive it was lost as the Pinan kata series are practiced more than any other kata. This is because of the strong basics found in the kata and the fact that most practitioners only achieve the level of intermediate rank before they are finished training. Most Okinawan, Japanese, and Korean styles due a version of the Pinan kata series. When you have completed learning the Pinan kata you have learned the elements that Itosu Sensei thought important from Channan.

Omote and ura related to kata

Q-Would you please talk about omote and ura relative to kata. First, their meaning, and then their relevance among today's practicioners of karate in general and Shorinryu karate in particular.

A-Omote refers to the obvious. Ura refers to the abstact, or the other side of understanding what is meant or trying to be conveyed. Literally, omete would mean the first impression or what you see at first glance. Ura, in this context refers to what lies deeper, or more specifically, what is the answer to the question that is posed. Karate kata is a beautifully done blueprint of Karate. The years of development are similar to a fine wine aging with all of it's possible positive results.The basic meaning of this relationship lies between what is apparent and what is hidden.
Omote is the beginning of understanding and Ura is seeking the truth of what you are doing. If you look in the mirror, what do you see?

 The first system of karate

Q-what is the difference between Shorinkan and Shido-kan? They seem very similar.

A-Shorin-ryu is often called the first system of Karate. Amateur historians love placing themselves somewhere at the end of that karate family tree. When you think about it, the different styles of Karate on Okinawa are more alike than they are dissimilar. You may find that many of the famous masters of old believed in the same principles and fundamentals before the "styles" were styles. In the end that linear chart may turn into a diamond.

Origin of the Nunchaku

Q-I have seen two possible theories though never anything definitive. One is that they were a flail used for threshing rice and the other is that they are an adaptation of a chinese weapon of two sticks (one longer and one shorter tied together with horse hair), later modified to the current configuration.

A-I have read and heard that the origin of the Nunchaku is a horse bridal. Not true! I have heard that "Nun" means horse in he Okinawa Hogen dialect. Not true! The word for horse is "nma". (Uma in Japanese). The nunchaku and the word "nunchaku" were imported from the Fuchow area in China. What is the origin?

Q- Why is Shorin-ryu so crazy fast?

Here is the answer inside a question. What is the reason for a soft block hard counter system?

A- speed