Kata

(三戦?): Literally translated as "three fights/conflicts". From the kanji for "three" and 戦う ("to fight/to struggle"?). Usually interpreted as three Modes/Conflicts: Mind, Body and Spirit). An alternate interpretation is "Three Challenges" being those of softness, timing, and power. The Sanchin kata is deceptively simple in appearance. It teaches the foundation of the style, including stances and breathing. Kanbun Uechi is quoted as saying "All is in Sanchin." Though it is not difficult to learn the movements of Sanchin, to master the form is thought to take a lifetime.

• Thrust with the hand over the back foot.
• Block with the hand over the front foot.
• Turn in the direction of the rear leg, look and pivot.
• Stepping should be light but strong.

Sanchin stance characteristics

• Feet should be shoulder width apart
• Feet are aligned heel and toe, front to back.
• Front foot, slightly turned out, back foot, straight
• Toes should grip the floor (tiger toes)
• Knees should be bent

8 Points to the opening of Sanchin Kata

1. Feet together, stand tall, bow
2. Set to neutral stance (knees bent)
3. Draw hands to hips (fingers straight and strong)
4. Step into good sanchin stance ( see above)
5. Thrust strong hands down and out
6. Squeeze hands into a tight fist
7. Bring both arms up, elbows in front of ribs
8. Open hands keeping fingers straight and strong 

Sanchin Kata Steps

1. Bow and draw arms to hips.
2. Step into right Sanchin stance.  Thrust downward; draw arms up into Sanchin arm position.
3. Do left arm movement.  Straighten right foot (bring heal in), step…
4. Into left Sanchin.  Perform right arm movement.  Straighten left foot, step …
5. Into right Sanchin stance.  Perform left arm movement, Pivot on ball of left foot, turn into
6. Left Sanchin.  Perform right arm movement.  Straighten left foot, step into …
7. Right Sanchin stance.  Perform left arm movement, Pivot on ball of right foot, step into …
8. Left Sanchin.  Perform right arm movement.  Straighten right foot, step into
9. Right Sanchin stance.  Perform left arm movement, Pivot on ball of left foot, turn into …
10. Left Sanchin.  Perform right arm movement.  Pivot on ball of left foot, step into …
11. Right Sanchin stance.  Perform left arm movement, Pivot on ball of right foot, straightening it, step into …
12. Left Sanchin.  Perform right arm movement.  Straighten left foot, step into
13. Right Sanchin stance.  Perform left arm movement, then three double thrusts.  Step to the right, facing the right in a
14. Right Sanchin stance.  Perform Wa-Uke.  Turn 180 degrees into ..
15. Left Sanchin stance.  Perform Wa-Uke, then
16. Step forward and to the right, perform Wa-Uke.

Bring your right leg back parallel to your left.  Hands go into a closed gate position.  End

---