Isshinryu Karate

Nai Hanchi Kata

This kata is from Shorin-Ryu, and is designed for fighting against a wall or narrow bridge. It is also called the Missing Enemy Form. It uses the Iron Horse stance and fake kicks to mimic leg sweeps. The most important and significant distinction of nai hanchi kata is the training of the lower part of the body through slow and steady sideward movements with maximum strength. This kata is also known to the Shuri and Tomari Schools (NAGAMINE Shoshin, The Essence of Karate-do, pg 148). The kata is well over 170 years old (editor's note: the year is 2001 at the time of this writing) and dates back ot the era of Tode Sakugawa. This kata was the favorite of Yasutune Itosu.
 
  • From musabi dache: brings hands back to tantien and open RH into nukite; bring feet together and drop, thrusting both hands into a downward strike.
  • Look to left.
  • One complete step (first RF then LF) to left.
  • Open left leg (small side step) and LH (inverted) ridge hand side block.
  • Wrap LH around target (not done in air) and bring to RH elbow smash.
  • Close stance to nai hanchi dache and look to right.
  • RF leg sweep avoidance.
  • RH leg block; LH inverted nukite.
  • One complete step to right.
  • Look to forward; LH (inverted) ridge hand side block.
  • LH leg block.
  • RH re-enforced elbow smash uppercut.
  • RH re-enforced bridge of the nose.
  • Look to right; RF leg sweep avoidance.
  • RH backfist; LH comes across (in similar re-enforced position) to punch across body.
  • Look to left; LF leg sweep avoidance.
  • RH hammer fist to temple (LH returns to chamber).
  • Look to right; RF leg sweep avoidance.
  • Double punch: RH to head, LH to torso.
  • Look to left; LF leg sweep avoidance.
  • LH leg block; RH inverted nukite.
  • One complete step to left.
  • Look to forward; RH (inverted) ridge hand side block.
  • RH leg block.
  • LH re-enforced elbow smash uppercut.
  • LH re-enforced bridge of the nose.
  • Look to left; LF leg sweep avoidance.
  • LH backfist; RH comes across (in similar re-enforced position) to punch across body.
  • Look to right; RF leg sweep avoidance.
  • LH hammer fist to temple (RH returns to chamber).
  • Look to left; LF leg sweep avoidance.
  • Double punch (LH to head, RH to torso) & kiai.
  • End (LF moves to RF).