Chinte Kata Tutorial

Chinte Kata Tutorial

Chinte translates as unusual hands and with black belt kata Chinte, we normally just go from the bow (rei) in musubi dachi, to toes together and then into the Yoi position with the arms.

As you bring your toes together, your left hand comes palm up in the center of the body and your right fist on top of your left fist with the palm facing the body.

The left forearm is almost parallel with the floor. Try not to have the elbows pointing down is so that forearms parallel. Try not to, wrap your elbows around your body. Have them straight to the side so they’re not like this to the side.

I always practice this first move as a really big circular movement, but I know some dojo perform a much shorter movement.

We lift our elbow and then the bottom fist comes over the top of the head and down to the right. The arm is very slightly bent and just nearly slows to a stop, but doesn’t stop. At the same time slowly turn your head to and look to your right side. Remembering on this first move, the tetsui uchi (hammer fist strike) slows down to almost a stop, but doesn’t completely stop.

The tetsui uchi (hammer fist strike) when out to your right side, is roughly level with the shoulder blade. As i just mentioned this first strike slows down to nearly a complete stop then it continues. As the right fist continues down on my right side, my head turns to the front and my eyes come to the front at the same time my fist comes slowly under the left fist close to my body with the palm of my right fist facing my body.

Then I’m going to roll both fists, so momentarily both palms face each other. As both palms come together, i then start the second tetsui uchi towards my left side. I lift my left elbow and then the bottom fist comes over the top of the head and down to the left.

At the same time slowly turn your head to and look to your left side. Unlike the first move, the second tetsui uchi (hammer fist strike) does come to a stop.

The first and second move of Chinte are a really slow flowing combination, don’t stop until you get to that left bottom fist.

When we practice this strike, the feeling is coming down with the elbow. So try not to think. Hit him with a hammer. So you got a hammer in the hand. The elbow stops. And then the forearm goes like this. So it’s not a strike like that. This movement where the elbow goes high and the elbow comes down with the fist.

So the elbow comes down with the fist. And you are striking through the target, so think down with the elbow.

Now step directly forward with the left leg into Kiba Dachi (horse stance). So the left leg is going to step forward, and I’m going to rotate and snap my hips round.

Move 3 of Chinte is a snapping technique with the body. As you step and come round, the left hand drops, then your right hand comes accross to meet on top of the left. Then as you snap the body and hips into kiba dachi, you sharply lift both hands up similar to the first move in Kanku Dai, but the right fingers are overlapping the left fingers, with the thumbs pulled down towards your body.

Linden Huckle

About the author

Linden Huckle has been practicing and teaching karate for over 50 years and believes first and foremost, karateka should enjoy their karate. He says 'there is nothing better than seeing a person develop into a great person through their karate practice, while at the same time enjoying karate.'

Linden Huckle

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