Pinan Yondan
Kata, the structured forms in Wado-Ryu Karate, serve as the foundation for developing both physical
technique and mental discipline. Each kata is a meticulously crafted sequence of movements that
embodies the principles, strategies, and spirit of Wado-Ryu. These forms teach practitioners to
combine strikes, blocks, stances, and footwork into a flowing, dynamic series of techniques,
simulating combat against multiple opponents.
Pinan Yodan (Japanese: ピナン四段) is the fourth kata in the Pinan series of Wado-Ryu Karate. It
introduces more complex movements, including rapid changes in direction and height transitions that
challenge the practitioner’s balance and coordination. Pinan Yodan emphasizes the use of both
long-range and close-quarter techniques, combining dynamic strikes with intricate footwork. This
kata is designed to enhance the student’s ability to defend against multiple attacks while
maintaining strong stances and fluid transitions. Mastery of Pinan Yodan requires focus, precision,
and control, making it a vital component in the progression toward advanced Wado-Ryu practice.
The Pinan Yodan is a 15-movement kata that combines the basic techniques of the Pinan series with
the more advanced techniques of the Kushanku series. It is designed to teach students the
fundamental
principles of Wado-Ryu and its evolution.
The Pinan series, which includes the Pinan Nidan, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yodan, and Pinan
Godan, is the most basic form of Wado-Ryu kata. These movements are designed to teach students
the basic principles of Wado-Ryu and to help them develop their physical strength, agility, and
endurance.
Pinan Yodan
From masuba dachi (attention stance), rei (bow), then open to hachiji dachi (ready
stance).
Drop your body, setting your left foot to your left, into a left mahamni neko ashi dachi
(side-facing cat stance), 90 degrees to your left, while doing a haishu (backhand) to your left
with your left hand, and doing an open hand agi uke (rising block) with your right hand.
Staying low, pull your left foot back to its original position (hachiji dachi, ready stance),
then set your right foot to your right, into a right mahamni neko ashi dachi (side-facing cat
stance), 90 degrees to your right, while doing a haishu to your right with your right hand, and
an open hand agi uke with your left hand.
Staying low, pull your right foot back to its original position, then set your left foot
forward (toward your original front line) into a junzuki dachi (front stance), and throw a gedan
juji uke (low x-block), with the right arm on top.
Relax your arms to your left side as you step forward with your right foot, into a right
mahamni neko ashi dachi (side-facing cat stance), and throw a right soto uke (middle block) to
the front, and a left uriken uke (backfist block) across your body.
Move your left foot forward to your right foot, heels and toes together into heisoku dachi. As
you step into the stance, your hands pull to a right tae uke, and you turn your head to the
left.
Keeping your body facing your original front line, simultaneously throw a left gedan uke (low
block) and a left mae geri (front kick) to your left. After the kick snaps back, set your left
foot forward, moving into a left gykazuki dachi (reverse punch stance), then throw a right empi
(elbow strike), parallel to the floor and across your lower chest into the palm of your left
hand.
Turn back 90 degrees to your right, as you draw your right foot to your left foot into heisoku
dachi, your hands pull to a left tae uke, and you turn your head to the right.
Keeping your body facing your original front line, simultaneously throw a right gedan uke (low
block) and a right mae geri (front kick) to your right. After the kick snaps back, set your
right foot forward, moving into a right gykazuki dachi (reverse punch stance), then throw a left
empi (elbow strike), parallel to the floor and across your lower chest into the palm of your
right hand.
Let your left hand open as you throw a left gedan uke (low block) to your left and a right
open hand agi uke (rising block) to your front. Then allow both feet to pivot to the left,
ending parallel and 45 degrees to your left off your original front line, as you turn your
shoulders 180 degrees to your left, and throw a left open hand agi uke (rising block) to your
left.
Throw a right mae geri (front kick) to the front line and set it forward a slightly extended
distance, then draw your left foot to your right foot. As you move into the reverse shomen neko
ashi dachi (front-facing cat stance), both hands close into fists, and the left hand reaches
forward while the right hand comes back. Then throw a downward uriken (backfist) to the bridge
of the nose.
Set your left foot around to your left, turning your body 225 degrees, into a left shomen neko
ashi dachi (front-facing cat stance), ending with a left soto uke (middle block).
Throw a right mae geri (front kick), set it forward into a long right junzuki dachi (front
stance), then throw a right junzuki (front punch) followed by a left gykazuki (reverse punch),
allowing the right foot to slip back.
Set your right foot around to your right, turning your body 90 degrees, into a right shomen
neko ashi dachi (front-facing cat stance), ending with a right soto uke (middle block).
Throw a left mae geri (front kick), set it forward into a long left junzuki dachi (front
stance), then throw a left junzuki (front punch) followed by a right gykazuki (reverse punch),
allowing the left foot to slip back.
Set your left foot around to your left 45 degrees into a left mahamni neko ashi dachi
(side-facing cat stance), and simultaneously throw a left soto uke (middle block) and a right
uriken uke (backfist block) across your body.
Step forward with your right foot into a right mahamni neko ashi dachi, and simultaneously
throw a right soto uke and a left uriken uke.
Step forward with your left foot into a left mahamni neko ashi dachi, and simultaneously throw
a left soto uke and a right uriken uke.
Pull your left hip back and allow the left foot to slip back, and the right foot to pivot into
a left shomen neko ashi dachi. Allow the right arm to come up, palm facing you, and cross the
left arm at a 45-degree angle, then pull back to the right into a soto uke position.
Pivot your left foot 45 degrees and set the heel to the floor as you raise your right knee to
your center line, keeping the foot pulled back. As you raise the knee, throw both hands to your
sides in a double gedan uke (low block).
Set your right foot to the floor beside your left foot, turning it as far as possible to your
left, then turn your body to the left 135 degrees, setting into a left mahamni neko ashi dachi.
As you turn, let your right hand cross over the left elbow, then throw a left shuto uke (open
hand block).
Reach with the heel of the right foot, and pull onto the ball of the right foot, allowing the
left foot to slip underneath you in a right mahamni neko ashi dachi, 90 degrees to your right.
Throw a right shuto uke (open hand block) as you drop the left arm down across your body.
Reach straight back with your left foot and pull the right foot back, letting the arms relax
to your sides ending in hachiji dachi (ready stance).
Close into masuba dachi (attention stance), then rei (bow).