3c. Pinan Sandan

Overview

The third kata in the Pinan Series is called Pinan Sandan. It introduces a few foundational concepts in Karate-Do and at times you can see directly how it was developed from Kusanku (a much older kata) and the Naihanchi Series.My emphasis is usually on a student’s ability to perform the bunkai associated with the kata and to understand what they are doing. Remembering the pattern of the kata will come with time, but if they know what they are doing, then following along as I lead the count is substantially easier. There are four new concepts introduced in this kata worth taking note of:

Empi

Empi uke (Elbow Block) – As shown in the picture to the right. In the kata you perform this movement moving forward, in a real fight it would be more likely that you would step away from an attack and deflect it with your elbow.

The final two moves of the kata are an Empi-zuki (Elbow Strike) and a punch to the rear. This is a double strike performed on an attacker who is attempting to grapple you from behind.

Catching the Hand

There is a movement in the beginning half of the kata where you perform Mawate (Turn around) and face the rear. You place your open hand on the bottom of your spine. I had once heard this explained as a way of shielding your tail bone and then grabbing the attacker’s hand. I do not doubt that Lou Ferrigno could pull of this trick, the average person will most likely just end up with a hurt hand or a broken finger. I think it is much more reasonable to assume that the attacker grabs your wrist when you performed the previous Nukite (Knife Hand) strike and you are pulling them towards you as you begin to turn and strike them in the side of the head.

There is a movement where you pull both of your hands upwards to your hips with your elbows pointed outwards. This is a technique to break a grapple, particularly a bear hug. The movement forces the attackers grip to break and release the hold on you.

Snapping the Towel

The final technique I found to be important in the kata is up for debate. Kakushi-zuki (Hidden Punch) – After performing Tetsui (Hammer Fist) you step forward and supposing your arm was still behind your back (the opponent didn’t let go). At this point you could perform Kakushi-zuki by swing your arm from behind your back in a towel snapping motion at your opponent’s throat or face.

Other Variations

One other variation I have seen quite commonly done in this kata is at the end where I perform the double strike. I am in a deep horse stance. Some Karateka bring their feet closer together and perform this strike in a higher stance. I believe this to be stylistic, but Chibana’s style has always been the previous of the two when I have seen it done by members of his lineage.

Sequence

• Rei
• Yoi
• Left neko-ashi-dachi facing left
• Left chudan-ude-uke
• Step up to haisoku-dachi, two morote-uke (chudan-ude-uke and gedan-uke)
• Pivot to face right, right neko-ashi-dachi, right chudan-ude-uke
• Step up to haisoku-dachi, two morote-uke (chudan-ude-uke and gedan-uke)
• Step back to forward-facing left neko-ashi-dachi, left chudan-ude-uke
• Step forward to right shizentai-dachi, right nukite-zuki
• Spin around to face the rear in left zenkutsu-dachi, right hand to back of right leg
• Spin around to fact the front in left neko-ashi-dachi, left tetsui-uchi
• Step forward to right shizentai-dachi, right seiken-zuki
• Step up and spin around to rear-facing haisoku-dachi, grabbing and lifting to hips, elbows out
• Step out with right foot to left-facing shiko-dachi
• Right empi-uke, right riken-zuki
• Step around to right-facing shiko-dachi
• Left empi-uke, left riken-zuki
• Step around to left-facing shiko-dachi
• Right empi-uke, right riken-zuki
• Step forward to left shizentai-dachi, left seiken-zuki
• Step forward, then spin around into forward-facing shiko-dachi
• Right mawashi-zuki, left ushiro-empi-ate
• Shuffle to the right, switch punch/elbow
• Yoi
• Rei