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The notion of "promotional" kata represented a major change in the approach to teaching Karate, a change which was begun a generation earlier by Itosu Anko. At the beginning of the century, Itosu formulated the five Pinan kata for introduction to the Okinawan school system. Prior to that time, Karate was generally taught privately and often in secret. Kata were not to be spread or shared--they were closely guarded secrets!
Itosu changed all that and the government readily agreed because of the realization that military recruits and conscripts who had Karate training were physically superior to and more disciplined that their untrained counterparts. Three of Itosu's students in particular -- Kentsu Yabu, Hanashiro Chomo and Kenyu Kudeken -- greatly impressed their physicians and distinguished themselves during military service. In his Ten Lessons of To-te, written in October 1908, Itosu states:
The primary purpose of karate training is to strengthen the muscles, making the physique strong like iron and stone so that one can use the hands and feet to approximate such weapons as a spear or halberd. In doing so, karate training cultivates bravery and valor in children and it should be encouraged in our elementary schools. Don't forget what the Duke of Wellington said after defeating Emperor Napoleon: "Today's victory was first achieved from the discipline attained on the playgrounds of our elementary schools.
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With these teachings in mind, it is my conviction that if the students at the Shihan Chugakko (old name of Okinawa's Teachers College) practice karate they could, after graduation, introduce the discipline at the local levels; namely to elementary schools. In this way karate could be disseminated throughout the entire nation and not only benefit people in general but also serve as an enormous asset to our military forces.
Itosu did in fact teach at the Teachers College, thus spreading the art to a new, and very prolific, generation of instructors.
In making the transition from very small, private or semi-private classes, to large classes of school children, Itosu decided that an easier form of kata was required. Drawing from such sources as the Kusanku kata, Itosu formulated the five Pinan ("Peace") kata.
If you have ever practiced or taught the Pinan kata, you will recognize that they are not basic at all, but rather of an intermediate level.
In a nutshell, the Pinan are too difficult for beginners, particularly for young children. Nagamine Sensei wrote that the Kusanku kata (from which the Pinan were drawn, among other kata) is the most advanced kata in the Matsubayashi-Ryu system, requiring more than a decade to master. It is usually the most advanced kata of other systems as well. Essentially splitting the kata into five parts did not make the task much easier.
Prior to the development of the Pinan kata, three basic kata were generally taught in Okinawa. For students of Shuri-Te or Tomari-Te (which generally became known as "Shorin-Ryu"), the introductory kata were either the three Naihanchi kata or the Seisan kata. For students of Naha-Te (which generally became known as "Goju-Ryu"), the introductory kata was generally Sanchin. The introductory kata were usually practiced for at least three years before more advanced kata were learned. Okinawan school students might or might not have previously learned these kata. It is to be expected that most had not (since the early masters generally taught very few students at any given time).
Itosu passed away in 1915 at the age of 85. During his life, he literally opened the doors to karate in Okinawa.
Goodin, Charles C. “The 1940 Karate-Do Special Committee: The Fukyugata (Fukyu-kata) ‘Promotional’ Kata.” Hawaii Karate Seinenkai 1999.
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