Heian Nidan/Pinan Shodan (Won Hyo) & "Flinch Reaction"

By BunkaiJutsu

 

In the posting below about "Soto Uke (Outside Block)", I suggested that the masters of old may have taken a basic human instinctive reaction and developed it to enhance that natural movement.  It subsequently occurred to me that in the Heian/Pinan kata series (same katas, different name depending on which style you practice); what is the second Kata in Shotokan Karate (Heian Nidan) is the first kata in some other styles (Pinan Shodan).

Note to  Tae Kwon Do practitioners – this is the kata that your Won Hyo Pattern is based on.

It is known that the author of the Heian/Pinan katas, Itosu (teacher to Funikoshi & Mabuni) taught Heian Nidan/Pinan Shodan first and that Funikoshi reversed the order of the first 2 katas.  Why?  Because what was the second kata is simpler and therefore it makes a more logical sequence for the beginer to put it first.

So why did Itosu teach it Heian Nidan/Pinan Shodan first, when his second kata was simpler?  I have read (can't remember where) that it is because Heian Nidan/Pinan Shodan makes use of the "flinch reaction".  That is, when something is thrown at out heads, we flinch and throw our hands up.  As per my last posting, this suggests that that masters would take instinct movements and build on them in much the same way as modern martial arts like Krav Maga and FAST Combatives now do.

However, this logic when applied to tradition martial arts has been a little bit lost in mix along the way.

Funikoshi teaching Heian Nidan

Written by Charlie Wildish 3rd Dan who trains at Wells Traditional Shotokan Karate Club and Lotus Nei Gong Tai Chi