Chinte (珍手) (Unusual Hand)
In this live karate class, we are working on moves 19 to 21 of the shotokan black belt kata Chinte. A complete Chinte step by step tutorial can be found here.
If you are a Dojo member, these live karate class recordings are all accessable inside the Dojo.
Chinte has the most circular techniques of any shotokan kata, and some Dojo do these circular techniques using lesser or greater circular movements, depending on the way the Dojo practices this karate kata.
As there are very few circular techniques within Shotokan kata, Chinte gives the karateka an excellent opportunity to develop these much needed circular karate techniques.
Chinte Kata Step By Step
Move 19
We mention a few different ways in the video,but some dojo, from the double uchi ude uke in kiba dachi, lift the arms straight up, then cross wrists directly above the head, then slowly strike down with two tetsui or gedan barai, depending on the application.
Other Dojo, from the double uchi ude uke in kiba dachi, bring both arms out slightly, then lift the arms straight up and crossing the wrists directly above the head as they slowly strike down with two tetsui or gedan barai, depending on the application.
Some Dojo practice by lifting the right leg immediately off the floor, then slowly placing the instep of the right foot, behind the left knee (heron leg stance - sagi ashi dachi), whilst keeping the same height.
Other Dojo practice by pulling (not dragging) the right leg accross the floor, then lifting the right foot and slowly placing the instep of the right foot, behind the left knee (sagi ashi dachi), whilst keeping the same height.
Chinte Kata Step By Step
Move 20
This next move is very difficult and unusual, once again there are a few different ways practiced in Shotokan Dojo.
From the double gedan barai in sagi ashi dachi, keep the right fist low and bring back behind you, as you perform this small preparatory movement, your left side will naturally move slightly forward.
Then swing the right fist like you are bowling a cricket ball, at the same time, start to step forward with the right leg, when the right fist is straight up above you, form nakadaka ippon ken (middle finger single knuckle fist), with the fist. (Image 1)
Then land in zenkutsu dachi and continue bringing the right fist down in a circular motion, stopping the middle knuckle strike chudan, with the body in the hanmi (side facing) position.
Chinte Kata Step By Step
Move 21
Next strike nakadaka ippon ken (middle finger single knuckle fist), with the left fist, use a big circular movement for the strike.
From the left hikite position, drop the fist down and back, then as with the right fist, bring the left fist up high above the head, then come down with the left fist and strike nakadaka ippon ken (middle finger single knuckle fist) on top of the right fist.
As the strike lands, the body goes from the hanmi (side facing), to the shomen (square facing) position.
So the finished position for move 21 is the left fist on top of the right fist, with both wrists slightly pointing down, so the middle knuckle is coming down rather than forward.
Another variation of the nakadaka ippon ken is where for move 20, the fist first comes to the right shoulder, then the elbow drives forward first, with the nakadaka ken then snapping forward, then the same for move 21.
This second variation, although more linnear, generates a pwerful whip to the single knuckle strike.