The Naihanchi form goes by many names and it is taught in
such systems as, Okinawan Shuri te, Okinawan Tomari te, Isshin Ryu, Korean
Tang Soo Do, Korean Tae Kwon Do, Japanese Shotokan, Japanese Shorinji-Kempo, Naha
Te, and several Shorin Ryu styles.
The origins
and the philosophies of this form vary as often as its system does. Some say it
was created to teach someone how to fight with your back against the wall,
riding on horse back unarmed, comes from the Shaolin temple and was create in
the traditional linear forms that is so common in Shaolin style martial arts,
and others say it is a traditional Okinawan form based on pressure point
applications.
The
movements for Naihanchi would be:
1) Feet together pointing at 45 degrees, open hands at sides
2) Feet close, left hand on top of right, fingers pointing
up, in front of heart
3) Bend body at waist, rotate hands, fingers now point down
4) Look to right side, left foot cross step over right
5) Right foot step out to right (horse stance), left hand
chambers, right ridge hand
6) Turn right hand so palm faces same direction as body,
slightly extend fingers to right
7) Left elbow to right palm (turn hips into move)
8) Right hand chambers to right hip, left fist chambers on
top of right fist (hidden fist)
9) Left hand swings out to cover left thigh
10) Left fist chambers to left hip, right fist moves a
crossed body at lower abdomen level
11) Right foot cross step over left
12) Left foot step out to left (horse stance), right fist
swings up (fingers facing shoulder)
13) Right fist swings down (lines up with right knee), left
fist swings up (fingers facing shoulder)
14) Right fist swings up (fist faces left elbow covering mid-section),
left fist strikes out and returns to original position
15) Left foot rises to right knee, left foot steps back
into place, left fist rotates and strikes out to left side, right fist guards
at elbow
16) Right foot rises to left knee, right foot steps back
into place, left fist rotates and strikes out to right side, right fist guards
at elbow
17) Both fists chamber to right hip (hidden fist), both
fists thrust to left side
18) Right fist chambers to right hip, left ridge hand
circle strike to left side
19) Turn left hand so palm faces same direction as body,
slightly extend fingers to left
20) Right elbow to left palm (turn hips into move)
21) Left hand chambers to left hip, right fist chambers on
top of left fist (hidden fist)
22) Right hand swings out to cover right thigh
23) Right fist chambers to right hip, left fist moves a
crossed body at lower abdomen level
24) Left foot cross step over right
25) Right foot step out to right (horse stance), left fist
swings up (fingers facing shoulder)
26) Left fist swings down (lines up with left knee); right
fist swings up (fingers facing shoulder)
27) Left fist swings up (fist faces right elbow covering
mid-section), right fist strikes out and returns to original position
28) Right foot rises to left knee, right foot steps back
into place, right fist rotates and strikes out to right side, left fist guards
at elbow
29) Left foot rises to right knee, left foot steps back
into place, right fist rotates and strikes out to left side, left fist guards
at elbow
30) Both fists chamber to left hip (hidden fist), both
fists thrust to right side
31) Right foot slides to left foot, left open palm faces
body, right fist hidden by left palm
32) Feet turn to 45 degrees, bend body at waist, rotate
hands, fingers now point down
33) Straighten body, feet together pointing at 45 degrees,
open hands at sides
Some say Naihanci’s origins are rooted in Chinese Chuan Fa,
but it can be better documented as being founded by Bushi Matsumura around
1818. The early lineage would include:
Bushi
Matsumura 1797-1889 (Naihanchi’s
Founder)
Chataku
Kyan 1870-1945
My lineage would include:
Bushi
Matsumura 1797-1889 (Naihanchi’s
Founder)
Chataku
Kyan 1870-1945
Ted Ricketts
Joseph Panachone