Traditional Karate > Kata > Chinto

Chinto Kata, also known as Gankaku by Shotokan means "crane on a rock" . Actually, Chinto translates to fighting toward the East. Chinto Kata was named for a Chinese sailor who was shipwrecked on the island of Okinawa. The sailor had to hide out from the Okinawan natives by day and raid their food supplies at night to survive. One of the outstanding swordsmen was dispatched by the king to arrest the sailor. Matsumura, the swordsman, cornered Chinto in a cave and a great fight ensued and Chinto escaped from the swordsman. Matsumura was so impressed with the techniques that Chinto used that he sought him out to be friends. In exchange for his friendship and help in getting Chinto back to China, Chinto agreed to teach him the techniques that he had used.

Another account of the Chinto Kata says that Bushi Matsumura brought the Kata back from China to Okinawa with him. But Bushi Matsumura did not return to Okinawa from China until 1792. Chinto was supposed to have been on Okinawa in 1296. Because of the scarcity of written records, there is quite a difference of opinion as to how some things happened.

Bushi Matsumura was one of the great Karate instructors of all times and was also respected as a great master. His wife also came from a martial arts family and she was exceptionally good for a woman and very strong. Story tells that she could pick up a 140 lbs. bag of beans and sweep under them at the same time. Some people wondered who would win if Matsumura and his wife got into a fight. He slipped up on her one day and tried to disquise himself. She whipped him and tied him up to a tree and some fellows came by later and turned him loose. He went to Sakagawa and talked to him because he was ashamed that his wife had whipped him. With Sakagawa's coaching, he bested her in two other encounters.

Bushi Matsumura taught the kata to Itosu Yasatsuni and Yabu Kentsu. They were two of Okinawa's greatest fighters. There is a story about Choki Motobu and Yabu Kentsu having a friendly shiaa (fight). Motobu, being younger and much stronger, figured to win the battle. After about twenty to thirty minutes, Kentsu clearly won the fight and this was supposed to be the only fight that Choki Motobu ever lost.

Chinto Kata teaches you to take advantage of the natural terrain and environment by keeping uphill, above your opponent and keeping the sun or moon at your back. The Kata also teaches you to fight in narrow areas like hallways, paths, bars, or any confined area. Itosi developed a shorter version of Chinto. Yabu Kentsu continued teaching the original form. Master Shimabuku took our Chinto Kata from the original form.