Practical Kata Bunkai: Pinan Nidan Opening Move

www.iainabernethy.co.uk/
In this video we look at the bunkai of the opening moment of Pinan Nidan. The footage was filmed at a seminar I taught in Wales in 2014. I see the motion as an escape when the arms are pinned from the rear. The “dropping hand” rips the one of the enemy’s fingers back, up and over (only partially done in the demonstrations for obvious reasons!). That will free the grip. The “pulling hand” delivers an elbow to the rear; and the assumption of the stance will help ensure that the elbow will hit the enemy on the vulnerable areas that exist on the centre line.
The inspiration for this application comes from a photograph of Choki Motobu also escaping from a grip to the rear. The similarity of Motobu’s position and the opening move of the kata lead to me concluding that something similar may very well be going on. The Shotokan version of the kata is a little different because it begins with a gedan barai as opposed to a dropping fist. Valid applications certainly exist for the Shotokan version (see my DVDs), but this particular one would not apply.
All the best,
Iain

[@PhilT28]

Nice interpretation of the opening move of Pinan Nidan. I love that you have incorporated the Hikite as a back elbow and the entire initial technique is used to defend against a grab from behind.

[@NYKgjl10]

Excellent clarity of bunkai...In Pinan Sandan, towards the end of the kata, there's also a hikite/empi with the opposite hand striking to the face as well which is similar to this application.

[@flavvsdasilver6442]

Pinan Nidan was the third kata I had to learn (for my orange belt/ 8th kyu in Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan) more than 8 years ago and this presentation breathed new life into the form I'd filed away 😄 It makes me wonder what other secrets I've overlooked . . .
Many Thanks from South Africa for the lesson Mr. Abernethy

[@TFSMikeRath]

I always enjoy your thoughts and practical look at the katas!

[@Kev80ification]

Brilliant work Ian!

[@johndejac73]

I love how you work both sides. Good video.

[@Burvedys]

Nice and coll as always. You may check this option in Shisochin-gata of Goju-ryu, where one elbows without side-step but on the contrary - with inside-step and pulling his feet together. But mechanics mostly are same, of course.

[@3Pillers]

Thanks for posting. GB

[@technewseveryweek8332]

That also makes more sense to add as sienshin horse stance bunkai

[@bayarea_kyokushinkarate_831]

Good Osu!!

[@freelancerblitz2579]

Mind blown once again! I’ve been trying to think what that move could be Other than in a block kick punch context, I’ve started to try and think what the bunkai could be before Watching your interpretation, my idea was the attacker comes forward With a grab or just generally close and intimidating, defender drops into the hammer fist position forcing the attackers arms to the side turning them exposing there back at the same time moving themselves off-line whilst maybe grabbing their hair or collar then punching the “off switch” at the back of the head, probably not as effective as yours but love like your option

[@Jameskeith1972]

Is that Lee Taylor?

[@practicalkatabunkai]

The man himself!

[@Jameskeith1972]

practicalkatabunkai he’s such a great guy!