​Shotokan Karate Academy

Chinte (珍手) (Japanese: "Rare Hand" or "Unusual Hand") is a kata practiced in Shotokan and Shito-Ryu. It is a very old kata originating from China. Its mixture of standard movements and rarely seen techniques, particularly dynamic, with its alternating strong and slow passages, “Chinte” is unique also in the presence of a number of circular techniques, despite the preference in Shotokan karate for linear movements.

“Chinte” is a kata of close-distance self-defense techniques and nobody knows why master Funakoshi named this kata “Shoin”!

Popularity:

“Chinte” is one of the least popular kata among Japanese males in Shotokan karate. However it is very popular among female Japanese. The reasoning behind this is perhaps the origin of the kata. It is possible that "Chinte" originated as an Okinawan folk dance, and has since that time been copied by karate experts and has been modified to support fighting techniques.

"Chinte" is filled with techniques and movements that could be considered very indicative of Asian folk dance movements. There is a rumor that Chinte comes from a dance that describes to young women the things that they will have to know to survive in the world.

Chinte is a kata of self defense at close distance; it is extensively practiced by women because it includes very effective techniques not requiring much power.

The variety of strange techniques in "Chinte" is another reason that the kata is thought to be more appropriate for women. Many of the strikes are to areas that are not as vulnerable to women so much as a man. Also, the two finger strike is indicative of using technical prowess rather than raw force, unlike most Shotokan Karate strikes. Therefore, many believe that the techniques of "Chinte" are better suited to a female with more need to take advantage of the "Unusual Hands".

Backward hopping:

There are different interpretations regarding last three backward hopping in the last of kata:

• Some believe the final three movements, a series of backwards hops, were added to bring the kata back to the original starting place in order to facilitate competition, because they are not present in the other versions of the kata practiced by other styles of Japanese Karate. Alternatively, it could be that the final movements were dropped by other styles because their meaning was lost.

• The last three techniques of the kata are thought to be symbolic of a young wife bowing and backing away from her angry husband, allowing him to have his way, or at least, to think that he is having his way when really he has been fully manipulated and will now do as she wishes.

But the truth seems to be that at some point, someone added the three hops onto the kata to bring it back to the starting place. Other styles that practice this kata "Chinte" do not have the hops, and simply leave the kata finished in a different place.

Uniqueness:

One place where Chinte is a unique kata is in the use of elbow strikes to the upper level. "Chinte", unlike many other kata, contains these strikes, as well as many other unusual and rarely performed techniques. The scissors punch (Hassami Zuki), the two finger punch (Nihon Nukite), Nakadaka Ippon–ken, Teisho, Shuto and other techniques help to give "Chinte" its name: “Unusual Hands”.

Other translations include “Weird Hands” and” Amazing Hands”. No matter the translation, it is apparent that “Chinte” is unusual, weird, and amazing in the wide variety of techniques that are packaged with it.

Note:

• “Chinte” means: “Unusual Hand”, “Weird Hands” and “Amazing Hands”

• It is a kata of close-distance self-defense techniques

• Is a kata practiced in Shotokan and Shito-Ryu

• "Chinte" is more popular between women compare to men

• Rare hand techniques such as: Hassami Zuki, Jodan Tate Enpi Uchi, Nihon Nukite, Nakadaka-Ken are used in this kata

• "Chinte" root : "Shuri-te" school of kata in Okinawa