Pinan Nidan

平安


At Kumade Karate, Pinan Nidan (lit. 'Peaceful Mind, Grade Two') is the second kata that students learn. A basic understanding is required for 8th kyu and an advanced understanding is required for 7th kyu. Pinan Nidan builds nicely on from Taikyoku Shodan as it follows a similar floor pattern while incorporating more advanced techniques. The most notable difference is that multiple stances are used in this kata, including shiko dachi (Sumo stance) and neko ashi dachi (cat stance).

A basic understanding is required for 8th kyu


An advanced understanding is required for 7th kyu



Tutorial Video Coming Soon!


Techniques:

Kiai Count: 2

Stances:

  • Kokutsu dachi (back-leaning stance)
  • Zenkutsu dachi (long forward stance)
  • Heiko dachi (natural stance)
  • Neko ashi dachi (cat stance)
  • Shiko dachi (Sumo stance)

Strikes:

  • Tetsui uchi (hammer strike)
  • Oi zuki (lunge punch)
  • Nukite (spear-hand thrust)

Blocks:

  • Gedan barai (downwards block)
  • Jodan age uke (rising head-level block)

Kata Information:


Pinan Nidan is a kata that is part of the Pinan series, which is a collective set of 5 that are practiced in various styles of Karate, most prominently Wado-Ryu. In most styles, Pinan Nidan is the first kata taught in this series. Pinan (平安) translates pretty firmly into English as 'peaceful mind' or simply 'peace' and the kata series originated in Okinawa in the late 1800s. Nidan (二段) indicates that this is the second tier of the kata, although curiously enough it is almost always taught first. This is likely due to the relative simplicity of the moves in comparison with other kata in the Pinan series.

As mentioned, Pinan Nidan is a common kata in the Karate form Wado-Ryu. The Pinan series acted as a blueprint of sorts for the subsequent Taikyoku series (such as Taikyoku Shodan) which were simplified versions meant to make the process of learning kata easier for younger students.

The Pinan series originates from older kata such as Kusanku and Channan and has taken different forms, such as the Heian series or Pyong-an in Korea, all with slightly different variations on technique.