PINANS

In Okinawa, around 1903, Karate was incorporated into the physical education program in the public schools.  Itosu Yasusume, an Okinawan Karate instructor, was asked to head this new curriculum.  It was his belief that the standard approach to learning Karate had to be modified.

Prior to 1903, there were no other forms than Kata.  Itosu Yasusume was a sticker for basics, so he devised what are now called PINAN (the Japanese term for the Okinawan word HEIAN).  The movements and techniques of the five Pinan were inherited from the original Kate, but simplified.  Thus, making the five Pinan a good preparation for the more complicate Kata.  The quality of the Pinan would reveal itself later in the Kata and in the fighting ability.

The word PINAN means "peaceful mind".

The Pinan go one step beyond the Taikyoku (which were developed years later) in body shifting, rhythm, and coordination.

The Taikyoku were created by Yamaguchi Gogen, who wished to simplify things further for the beginning student.  Yamaguchi Gogen is the co-founder of the Goju-Ryu.  The Goju-Ryu world headquarters is located in San Francisco, California.