Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Godan

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One of the stories surrounding the history of the Heian (Pinan) katas claims that Master Itosu Yasutsune learned a Kata from a Chinese living in Okinawa. This Kata was called "Chiang Nan" by the Chinese man. The form became known as "Channan" to the Okinawan masters who found 'Chiang Nan'  difficult to say. The Channan Kata were thought lost but rumour has it that a Chinese Master knows Channan 1,2 and 3.

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Master Itosu formed 5 Karate Katas from the longChannan Kata which he thought would be easier to learn than Channan. The 5 Kata were Pinan Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan .A loose translation of the word Pinan (Heian) could be 'calm and peaceful'.

Another story says Master Itosu formed the "Chiang Nan" Heian kata from some of the more advanced Kata like Kankudai (Kushanku) so enabling him to teach High School children the Karate Kata.

No one really knows for sure, maybe master Itosu devised the Heian Kata himself, maybe one of the above stories is true but one thing is for sure, the Heian Kata are now practised all over the world by millions of people and they are the required Kata up to brown belt in most Shotokan Dojo aswell as other traditional Karate dojo.