Fighting with Heian Nidan

“Students often underestimate the Heian kata, but they are the truest test of basics performed correctly.” Teruyuki Okazaki

Heian Nidan (平安二段) 🥋

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying this kata lately. Studying and training different bunkai ideas, exploring the kata through omote, ura, and go. Recently, I had one of those “karate geek, oh, that’s the kata” moments.

During some light kumite training, one student lunged in with a kizami-zuki jodan followed by a gyaku-zuki chudan. I managed to block, only just though 😅. Afterwards I realised my lead hand had intercepted both punches almost exactly like the opening movements of Heian Nidan. Instinctively, I then countered with gyaku-zuki followed by kizami-zuki. Trying to get something back 😅.

That’s when it hit me, it was Heian Nidan, expressed through kumite. The kata had come alive, its principles in action.

So can kata be used in a fight?

Yes. When studied, pressure tested, and developed, kata can teach timing, structure, control, and movement with intent.

Train it enough, and it can show up exactly when you need it, hopefully 😊🥋

Seishin Shotokan Karate Club

Budo Mindset Magazine