Chinto Kata by Sensei Donnelly

A legend tells of a Chinese sailor named Chinto, shipwrecked on Okinawa by a terrible storm. He hid in caves near the beach and stole food at night to survive. Villagers complained and a famous Samuri Sokun (Bushi) Matsumura was sent to take care of the problem. Matsumura set about to capture the sailor. When confronted, Chinto blocked or eluded all of Matsumura’s techniques, then ran away. Later, Matsumura found him hiding in a cemetery and befriended him. Matsumura helped the sailor by providing him with food and concealing him in exchange for the sailor teaching him his techniques. Chinto techniques are thought to be from a Chinese system called Chunan Fa (Kempo). It was a popular system taught along the southeastern coast of China at the time.

Whether the legend of a shipwrecked sailor is true or not, facts seem to bear out the Sokun Matsumura formulated the moves of the modern kata known as Chinto. The kata arrived in Isshinryu through Master Shimabuku studying with Chotoku Kyan. Master Kyan was a student of Sokun Matsumura.

Chinto is usually the fifth kata taught in Isshinryu. This kata introduces many new concepts to the student. Chinto’s trademark is the Chinto pivot. This technique is used throughout the kata and offers a distinct advantage. With one quick snapping move your body is rotated one-hundred-eighty degrees. This takes away the target from your opponent and simultaneously protects the lower extremities by closing the legs on the groin area and bracing one leg against the other to reinforce the knees. It’s obvious to see why Matsumura had such a difficult time fighting the sailor named Chinto.

Chinto introduces a double flying straight forward kick. This technique is designed to cover distance while striking your opponent with two kicking techniques. The student is introduced to rapid changes of stance which require excellent footwork and balance. The Chinto pivot is used to close the distance to your opponent or to create space between you and your opponent depending on whether the pivot is done forward or backward. Each Chinto pivot is followed by rapid and varied counter-attacks. There is a unique three-hundred-sixty degree turn and double strike done simultaneously like the fourteenth exercise (morate o’uchi).

Chinto is performed on a straight line. This line is forty-five degrees to the left of the starting position. The entire kata is performed moving forward and backward on this line. The student gains speed, mobility, and balance along with superior technique while working on Chinto. The kata is rich in Tuite and Kyusho-Jutsu techniques and even contains a punch from a position on one knee.


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