Practical Kata Bunkai: Pinan Nidan / Heian Shodan Turning "Lower Block"

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This video was filmed at a seminar in Swansea, Wales in September 2014. It looks at the bunkai for what is the opening sequence in the Shotokan version of Heian Shodan. This bunkai also applies to the sequence following the hammer fist in the other versions of the kata (Pinan Nidan).
The commonly taught version involves using the forearm to block kicks. This is an ineffective way to avoid front kicks and, as is shown in the video, the distancing is all wrong. It’s also worth noting that the common interpretation involves looking at the angles of the kata as the direction the enemy is attacking from; and that approach was written off as “nonsense” by Kenwa Mabuni in the 1930s. If we follow Mabuni’s guidance and instead see the angle of the kata as the direction we shift to in relation to the enemy, kata start to make a lot of sense.
Thanks for supporting these videos. I’ll be back with more soon!
All the best,
Iain

[@frejsandqvist7847]

"If the movement doesn't work i'ts not the Katas fault, it's my fault for not understanding it correctly" That is some profound stuff sir, i digitally bow my head before you.

[@StudentInFrance]

This is also practical bunkai for Taikyoku Shodan. People disregard the Taikyoku as some sort of "training kata" with no bunkai at all but, well - THERE IT IS!!

[@simongauvin6828]

First I salute you on your excellent interpretation of the kata, your work is illuminating what millions of us have been in the dark about what the true value of karate training is about. I find it so disturbing that masters Nakayama and his students who brought karate to the world in the 50's and 60's did not provide this information. Even in the JKA videos we see unrealistic interpretations of the kata. I can only assume they themselves did not know these applications, otherwise it has been a massive fraud by the JKA for the past 40 years... thank you so much, you are an inspiration. Osu!

[@AppliedShotokan]

That's been a frustration of mine for years. Iain's work and that of others is breathing life back into karate. Andy Allen

[@TheShicklee]

Simon Gauvin Neither nakayama nor his' Sensei knew proper karate. Seeing that shotokan is considered 'standard' karate is the reason karate is seen as a joke.

[@AppliedShotokan]

I taught this application tonight. I love your insights. Simple and effective.

[@larrydicus7822]

I have learned more about my Wado Ryu karate from these bunkai videos than I ever did in my classes. I have even been taught by the founder of Wado Ryu and I know more from these videos.

[@stevewaters1516]

This man is great n this is why only one kata was taught at a time because it contains 100s of techniques

[@Alexandre1453]

Best Heian Shodan bunkai I've ever seen.

[@AngelicaPlatten]

Your bunkai-s are the most enjoyable I have ever watch so far. Thank you.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

+Angelica Platten Thank you!

[@Jameskeith1972]

I was watching with the sound down and noticed that everything that works takes place on the 90

[@RICHARDGRANNON]

Love this, thankyou Iain

[@chrislloyd5415]

This is a pretty good explanation of the first three moves. I will teach this tonight. Thanks!

[@RavenburnX]

I’m at green belt at Wado and find these absolutely brilliant in terms of explaining the angles and movements in the Katas,, thanks very much 👍🏻

[@MasterBrianJohns]

Fantastic video! Nice practical application of the turning down block in this kata.

[@reddragonskarate4458]

Love this application, from such an early kata, this can be "watered down" so much, but this is brilliant

[@ReedFlom]

By far the best application for those techniques I've seen!

[@nedim_guitar]

This is kata, the deep cuts. There is so much in these few techniques, it's really inspiring! I'm going to think about it all. And I'll get the bunkai book!

[@sway71]

I am amazed that I only found your channel now. I am thoroughly impressed. Although I have never trained in Japanese martial arts, my Master has always emphasized the importance of remembering that every movement in a form has a purpose. He also taught me that we should learn from that and try to make sure that we always act with purpose (although we have to go through quite a bit of trial and error haha). Again, great videos, much respect.

[@angbaac]

Brilliant interpretation as always

[@raunakchakraborty6118]

"passed out too early mate", in billy butcher voice 🤣

[@adilsaleh3792]

Best guy ever Making learning martail arts easy and fun

[@LongNguyen-jf8qw]

Amazing point of view. I love the way you understand a Kata, absolutely makes sense

[@yuriivanov8751]

yes

[@opiskelu6097]

Thats correct sir! About 15 years ago, when I was once on training Gasshuku, one Sensei T. Namiki showed this kind of bunkai application for Taikiyku Shodan -Katas three first moves. Showed it once and said: "just think about this: all techniques could be in this kata".

[@kewnst]

i deeply appreciate your work ! and the videos are great! thanksso much for sharing these with all of us here!

[@teeemartinez]

Thank You Sir, I continue to learn and intend on doing so Indefinitely ! Thank You !!

[@brucecage2363]

I myself am a shito ryu karate ka and love your interpretation of kion no kata ichi the bunki was amazing thank u very much sempi

[@sprites]

I'm from Tang Soo Do. But these videos are very helpful thanks.

[@jamespoellintz7549]

I studied TSD and made it to green belt... Tang Soo do is basically shotokan. The korean version (tiger style)

[@UItimateGuitarCovers]

That makes such sence thanks for that

[@rubanthanan4934]

Thanks for your explanations. What's worrying is, lots of clubs up and down the country are teaching the wrong explanation/bunkai.

[@sramdeojohn4428]

Excellent interpretation. 👏🙌👏👌

[@2000wrx]

SOOOO many schools have been teaching SOOO wrong for a very long time!!!

[@goofi953]

Great bunkai!

[@dnice583]

In the style of shito- ryu i practice that kata is called kihon kata ichi it's the first kata we are taught as white belts it's a simple i pattern consisting of down blocks and straight punches I've been practicing this kata for years. The bunkai along with the explanation of mabuwnes lesson on angles of attack make this a simple yet effective kata. Domo arigato Sempi

[@HasanWarrior]

Makes more sense, than any other bunkai I’ve ever seen. Most are totally stupid and wouldn’t work on a 10 yr old.

[@aldomonti813]

Please Ian, come to Italy for a seminar. Please!

[@frankdesouzaoliveirasouza2458]

Very good master

[@kevinfreestone9822]

I like this enyerpritation. But remeber that not all moves in kata have an entry and exit. E.g. the first move of wanshu / enpi. A classic judo takedown. Kata is the culmination of techniques learnt in the dojo and performed in a solo representation. E.g. if.i teach 3 people 20 self defence principles, they will all have favourite techniques and all put them into a different geometric formation. Ergo, different kata. In order to reverse engineer a kata, you need to find the earliest version and then look into the moves. Or, be taught a move and then realise that.it is from x kata. When Wally Jay taught me a choke and neck break, I immediately saw that it was from sepai. When Patrick mccarthy taught.me a throw, I immediately saw that it was the opening move of.pinan shodan.

[@MotorSevdam]

Türkiye'den selamlar❤

[@theeastblendedvoices5201]

i also Listened to your Explained and also your move and your techniques Katas for Karate! That is an Street FIghting Dirty Fight! Thanks for Karate Explained with also demostrations :) Sensei! Osu!!!

[@bunkaiking]

Iain which of kenwa mabunis books would you recommend please?

[@thomasda3482]

master level

[@nytrodralyg1860]

Dear Sensei Abernethy, you have said that the hikite is always active, but isn't it actually not holding on to anything at 2:05 when you are showing the application of the low "block"?

[@practicalkatabunkai]

There are some one-handed methods in kata, but they are in a minority. A common mistake in modern karate is almost everything is viewed as being one handed (hand on hip or across the chest viewed as doing nothing). In this case, the “technique” is both motions combined so the hikite is aligning with the enemy’s head on the first half (gedan barai). It’s therefore not inactive … because the sequence will be done without any pause. It’s very difficult to get these nuances across when not in person. I nevertheless hope that’s of some help.

[@3Pillers]

👍

[@muheshva5050]

Do more videos please , love from india

[@Bandy64]

The foot work though doesn’t make sense on the opening gedan-barai. Kata opens with the left foot shifting but to get to opponents left you move your right. Why doesn’t the kata just do that?

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Hi Sandro, The kata is showing us to be at the side of the enemy. The footwork used in actual combat will be entirely dependant on the situation. It may or may not be the same as the kata. How are you moving? How is the enemy moving? Is the floor flat? A slope? Are there any tripping hazards? Walls? Cars? Etc. Funakoshi was clear on this: “Always perform kata exactly, Combat is another matter.” The kata can’t record every single variation, so it states: Be at 90 degrees to the enemy; we can’t tell you how you get there, because that will be dependent on the situation. Because my partner and I were still (for instructional purposes) I slid to the side, and that’s totally OK and not variance with the kata (because it is not demanding specific footwork). This post provides more info: iainabernethy.co.uk/comment/5745#comment-5745 I hope that helps.

[@Bandy64]

practicalkatabunkai it does help and I get that aspect, but in no kata is there a step forward with the outside foot to accomplish getting to the attackers’ flanks. Only the inside leg coming back. I would think that if the object was evasion to the side that both examples would be illustrated.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

@@Bandy64 I'm pleased that was of some use. Often as not, the foot movement associated with change in direction are just linking septate methods together. It’s showing the angle for the new method now being shown. I call these “linking steps”. This is clearly established in Mabuni’s explanation of angles; as well as in a few other places (Motobu, Miyagi, Toguchi, et al). The kata shows the angle. Partner work will allow us to explore the various options of getting to the angle. Live practise ensures we can do it appropriately in the ever changing and highly variable world of actual combat. Kata is supposed to be part of a process. If you are looking for all the variations to be in the kata, you are mistaking the nature of kata. Kata gives a “core example” which is varied in partner training. Mabuni explained this too: “If one sufficiently and regularly practices kata correctly, it will serve as a foundation for performing, when a crucial time comes, any of the innumerable variations. However, even if you practice the kata of karate, if that is all that you do, and if the other elements of training are lacking, then you will not develop sufficient ability … [you must also study] things like body-shifting and engagement distancing, you will be inadequately prepared when the need arises to call on your skills.” I hope that gives further clarity. Hard to cover these things in short amount of text. The key things are the angle is key (not the step that get us there, because that is linked to the prior position in the kata … and you won’t be in the same position in combat), the kata gives a solid example of principle, it does not try to cover all variations (impossible to do), and it is supposed to be part of a process where variations are explored. All the best, Iain

[@Bandy64]

practicalkatabunkai Thanks Iain, that is an excellent explanation and now I have some written info to pass onto other karateka I train with who, at times, are far too adamant that because that’s what the kata shows, that’s how you should move. Often same people who have gotten away from the static applications of fighting 8 different people from different angles , fail to apply the same sense to the footwork. I just never had a very good explanation. Appreciate it. Cheers.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

@@Bandy64 I’m really glad that was of some use. As I say, it’s sometimes difficult to communicate the ideas when we can’t go over examples in person. I’m delighted that helped though. An analogy that can help is to think of the kata as a map; whereas combat is the terrain. The map is a representation of the terrain, but the images on the map should not be mistaken as the terrain. Nor should studying the map be mistaken for hiking. It’s when we follow the guidance of the map in the terrain that its value becomes clear. Thanks for the support of the videos.

[@MrBlack0114]

Is this shodokan karate he is showing

[@jackiethefighter3223]

Which style is this?

[@viccharlton1739]

Style is irrelevant. Iain’s bunkai is the common denominator for all styles.

[@ryanstewart939]

can do all that without kata just teach the movement correctly. good concept thought freedom of good movement is better than arranged movement.

[@ВладимирМинин-у6в]

если тецуи у вас добивание опрокинутого вами противника, то следующий за тецуи ой-дзуки = это что? попытка догнать укатившегося от вас противника? И опять у вас хватание рук противника.... Проверьте Ваш бункая с боксёром))) вот если Вы сможете сделать то что Вы показываете на нём= вот тогда Ваш бункай будет если и не правильным, то хотя бы возможным.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

If the crank sends the enemy further away then stepping to hit would be appropriate and the hammer fist would not be. Kata is made up of both “and’s” and “or’s” i.e. “do this AND then this” and “depending on the enemy’s response do this OR this”. A tactile awareness of the enemy’s position (proprioception) can greatly increase accuracy in the chaos of combat. That’s why grabbing and hitting (when possible and appropriate) is favoured over an inactive guard: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3qWZ5iuh8Zmi8U