Heian Shodan

The word “Heian” means "peaceful mind". Heian Shodan means the first of the Heian series.
This kata is the first of five introductory kata, developed by Yasutsune Itosu (one of Gichin Funakoshi's instructors). Although scholars to not agree on how the Heian kata were created, it is commonly believed that all are derived in part from the higher level kata Kanku-dai.

In addition to the Kanku-dai, each of the five Heian kata are related to another advanced kata. Heian Shodan is related to Gion.
Itosu created the Heian kata for introduction into the school curriculum, removing or de-emphasizing some of the more dangerous techniques found in the advanced kata.
The Heian series are all shorin kata, which emphasize light, flexible movements.

The major points in this kata are front stance and lunge punch. There are 21 movements, which should take about 40 seconds to perform.

Movement Number

Japanese Description

·         Foot technique

·         Hand technique

Hidari = left / Migi = right

English Description

Notes

1

· HIDARI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-SOKUMEN-HIDARI-GEDAN-BARAI

Move to 9 o’clock position, front stance, lower-sweeping block

2

· MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-CHUDAN-0I-ZUKI

Step forward, front stance, mid-level punch.

3

· MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-GEDAN-BARAI

Turn to 3 o’clock (clockwise, on back heel), front stance, lower-sweeping block.

4

- MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-KENTSUI-TATE-MAWASHI-UCHI

Hammerfist strike in place (front foot moves in and out), front stance.

5

· HIDARI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-CHUDAN-OI-ZUKI

Step forward, front stance, mid-level punch.

6

· HIDARI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-GEDAN-BARAI

Turn to 12 o’clock position (counter clockwise, on back heel), front stance, lower-sweeping block.

7

· MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

·  MIGI-JODAN-AGE-UKE

Set up open left hand, step forward with rising block.

8

· HIDARI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-JODAN-AGE-UKE

Open right hand, step forward with rising block.

9

· MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-JODAN-AGE-UKE

Open left hand, step forward with rising block.

KIAI

10

· HIDARI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-GEDAN-BARAI

Turn to 3 o’clock position (counter-clockwise, on front heel), front stance, lower sweeping block.

11

· MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-CHUDAN-OI-ZUKI

Step forward, front stance, mid-level punch.

12

· MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-GENDAN-BARAI

Turn to 9 o’clock position (clockwise, on back heel), front stance, lower-sweeping block.

13

· HIDARI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-CHUDAN-OI-ZUKI

Step forward, front stance, mid-level punch.

14

· HIDARI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-GEDAN-BARAI

Turn to 6 o’clock position (counter-clockwise, on back heel), front stance, lower-sweeping block.

15

· MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-CHUDAN-OI-ZUKE

Step forward, mid-level punch.

16

· HIDARI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-CHUDAN-OI-ZUKE

Step forward, mid-level punch.

17

· MIGI-ZENKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-CHUDAN-ZUKI

Step forward, mid-level punch.

KIAI

18

· MIGI-KOKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-SHUTO-CHUDAN-UKE

Turn to 9 o’clock position (counter-clockwise, on back heel), back stance, sword hand block.

19

· HIDARI-KOKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-SHUTO-CHUDAN-UKE

Step forward to 10:30 o’clock position (on front heel), back stance, sword hand block.

20

· HIDARI-KOKUTSU-DACHI

· MIGI-SHUTO-CHUDAN-UKE

Turn to 3 o’clock position (clockwise, on back heel), back stance, sword hand block.

21

· MIGI-KOKUTSU-DACHI

· HIDARI-SHUTO-UKE

Step forward to 1:30 o’clock position (on front heel), back stance, sword hand block.



Please consult these references:    

Best Karate, Volume 5
Published by Kodansha Books
ISBN 0-87011-379-8

Karate-do Kata, Volume 1
Published by the Japan Karate Association
Available only on the JKA website.
 
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