Pedagogy & Practice

Which Shinpa Is Correct? A Lesson in Lineage

Why can the same kata look different even when it is labelled Shito-Ryu? This perspective explores lineage, transmission, and why understanding context matters more than copying what we see.

A Simple Question – Which Shinpa is Correct

A student recently approached me with a question while practising the kata Shinpa.

They had been working from our dojo’s written guide and wanted to reinforce their learning outside of training. Like many students today, they turned to YouTube to see the kata performed.

What they found, however, created confusion.

The version they discovered—also labelled as Shito-Ryu—began very differently.

• Instead of starting from a traditional kaishu kamae,
• it opened in uchi hachiji dachi,
• with both arms slowly breaking outward, accompanied by strong breath-focused movement similar to ibuki breathing.

Naturally, the student asked:

“Sensei… which one is correct?”

It is a simple question. But the answer reveals something much deeper about how we understand karate.

The Reality of Modern Training

Today’s students have access to an unprecedented amount of information.

With a few clicks, they can watch kata from different countries, compare performances across styles, and explore interpretations far beyond their own dojo.

This is not a bad thing.

In fact, it shows initiative and curiosity—qualities we should encourage.

But it also introduces a challenge:

Not everything that looks the same… is the same.

Same Kata, Different Expression

At first glance, the student’s confusion makes perfect sense:

• The kata name was the same: Shinpa
• The style label was the same: Shito-Ryu
• Yet the opening sequence was clearly different

So how can both exist?

The key lies in understanding that:

Kata is not just a sequence of movements — it is a method of transmission.

Within Shito-Ryu, there are influences from multiple lineages, most notably those associated with Itosu and Higaonna. Those lineages carry different training emphases, and those emphases shape how kata is performed.

The Opening Tells a Story

These are not just visual differences.

One emphasises direct transition and structure. The other emphasises breath, expansion, and internal connection.

Both versions are correct — but they belong to different interpretations and teaching frameworks.

A Matter of Lineage, Not Right or Wrong

This is where we must be careful.

It would be easy to say one version is correct and the other is not. But that would miss the point.

Both versions are correct — but not within the same framework.

Each reflects the influence of a particular lineage and how that lineage chooses to express the kata.

In our dojo, we are fortunate to maintain a close connection to the teachings of Mabuni Kenwa through the guidance of the late Mabuni Kenzo Soke. That connection shapes not only what we practise, but how and why we practise it.

The Hidden Risk of Learning from Video Alone

Videos can be incredibly useful.

Videos can be incredibly useful.

• They can reinforce memory
• They can provide visual reference
• They can inspire further study

But they also have limitations.

A video can show movement — but it cannot correct misunderstanding.

Without context, a student may adopt movements from a different lineage, mix incompatible elements, and lose the underlying intention of the kata.

The result is not a better version of the kata, but a confused one.

A Better Way to Ask the Question

So instead of asking:

“Which version is correct?”

We can ask:

“What does this version represent?”

This shifts the focus from judgement to understanding.

Practical Guidance for Students

If you choose to use online resources in your training, keep the following in mind:

• Use videos as reference, not authority
• Stay consistent with your dojo’s method
• Avoid mixing interpretations from different sources
• Ask your instructor when unsure

Most importantly:

Understand what you are looking at — not just what you are copying.

Final Reflection: More Than Movement

In karate, we do not simply learn techniques.

We inherit a way of practising them.

Every movement carries intention, history, and the influence of those who came before us.

Understanding this allows us to train with clarity and purpose.

And perhaps most importantly:

Different does not mean wrong — but it does mean something.

Closing Thought