HEIAN SANDAN

       The shortest kata in the Heian series, Heian Sandan has 20 counts, with almost half of the movements performed in kiba-dachi (horse stance). Tai sabaki, or "body shifting," is of utmost importance in H3. The student must learn how to rotate the entire body to gain momentum, as well as how to slide the feet, yori-ashi. Empi (elbow) techniques are also first learned in this kata. Timing skills become prominent as H3 is the first kata that contains a slow movement (#11).
#
Technique
Translation
Stance
Target
Notes
1
uchi-uke

inside block
kokutsu-dachi
chudan

2
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke
inside block /
down block
heisoku-dachi
chudan
gedan

3
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke
inside block /
down block
heisoku-dachi
chudan
gedan

4
uchi-uke

inside block
kokutsu-dachi
chudan

5
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke
inside block /
down block
heisoku-dachi
chudan
gedan

6
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke
inside block /
down block
heisoku-dachi
chudan
gedan

7
morote-uke

double-hand block
kokutsu-dachi
chudan

8
shihon-tate-nukite /
osae-uke
4-finger vertical spear-hand /
pressing block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan
chudan

9
kentsui-uchi-mawashi-uchi
(kentsui -yoko-mawashi-uchi)
inside hammer-fist strike
(sideways hammer-fist strike)
kiba-dachi
chudan

10*
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

11
ryoken-ryokoshi-kamae

both fists both hips posture
heisoku-dachi
--
slow speed
12
fumikomi /
furi-empi
stomp kick (thrusting step) /
swinging elbow
kiba-dachi
gedan
chudan

13
uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi

vertical back-fist strike
kiba-dachi
jodan

14
fumikomi /
furi-empi
stomp kick (thrusting step) /
swinging elbow
kiba-dachi
gedan
chudan

15
uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi

vertical back-fist strike
kiba-dachi
jodan

16
fumikomi /
furi-empi
stomp kick (thrusting step) /
swinging elbow
kiba-dachi
gedan
chudan

17
uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi

vertical back-fist strike
kiba-dachi
jodan

18
tsukami-uke (koko-uke) &
oi-zuki
grasping block (tiger-mouth)
& lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan
chudan
tate-shuto-uke variation
19
koho-tsukiage /
ushiro-empi-uchi
rising punch to rear /
backwards elbow strike
kiba-dachi
jodan
chudan

20*
koho-tsukiage /
ushiro-empi-uchi
rising punch to rear /
backwards elbow strike
kiba-dachi
jodan
chudan
yori-ashi