Naihanchi and Sanchin

[Montana]

On 7/1/2025 at 11:04 AM, Spartacus Maximus said:

Stance: How is this taught and explained in your lineage? How should the stance feel? Completely loose and relaxed or tensed in some areas? 

For anyone replying, please mention which of the two kata you practise and the founder of your lineage.

Similarities between the two and anyone may add and correct:

1. On the surface Naihanchi and Sanchin stance are similar, especially the knees and feet direction.

2. Both are considered core kata and fundamental training(tanren). 

3. Both probably originated from or were heavily influenced by chinese systems from Fukien. 

4. Both are deceptively simple and short

5.  Both kata are used to test and evaluate skill level, mental and physical toughness and body conditioning.

 

We don't do Sanchin. We practice a more natural breathing, but in Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito, old style Shorin Ryu, not this "new and improved" crap that's so prevalent now days, we do all 3 Nahachin kata starting with our 4th - 6th kata in line. One of the core elements of Nahachin stances is a shoulder width horse stance, toes facing straight forward, knees bending outwards. It hurts until you get used to it. Your feet feel like their digging into the floor, regardless if it's a wood floor, cement, carpet, padding or anything else. The tension is quite large. OSensei Soken Hohan, great nephew of Bushi Matsumura, is considered the foundation of our current system. As to Nahachin being a "simple" kata, it's not so simple when you practice it long term. It has some really incredible bunkai in it.

[Montana]

I hope this link works from Utube, but at the 27 minute mark you'll see Nahachin Sho as we do it.