Sanchin is a KATA that builds muscular strength, improves blood circulation, and helps develop proper breathing methods.
Sanchin has existed since ancient times in Fujien Province in southern China but was altered and further developed by the Okinawan karate master Kanryo Higaonna (1852-1915). Schools of karate that practice sanchin include Shito-Ryu and Goju-Ryu. A somewhat different version of sanchin, independent of Higaonna’s alterations, is also practiced by students of Uechi-Ryu.
The san in sanchin means three, while the second ideogram, chin, is written as “battle” or “conflict” (Although the second ideogram is pronounced sen in standard Japanese, the kata has retained its Okinawan name.) Sanchin is the kata of three challenges.
What are they?
We can interpret the three challenges at several levels. On the most practical level they are the challenges of properly developing our muscles, blood circulation, and breathing. Sanchin is also recognized as the kata that develops the metaphysical energy called ki (see KIAI and TANDEN). The paths that ki travels through the body are said to converge at three points: the top of the head, the lower abdomen, and the feet.
On another level, sanchin can be interpreted as three aspects of the lives of all of us: the past, present, and future. Unless we take up the challenge of studying all three time periods, our understanding of our lives will be incomplete.
The three aims of sanchin can also be interpreted as the development of the body, the mind, and the techniques of karate. If you are endowed with a strong body and proficient techniques but not a sound mind, there is a danger you will misuse karate. If you have a sound mind with healthy morals but not the strength and fighting techniques to defend them, you will be impotent. Even lacking just, a single element, whether technique or physical strength, will result in an unbalanced understanding of karate, because technique relies on physical ability, while physical ability by itself cannot be taught to others.
Finally, in life we can be in conflict with other people, our surroundings, or our inner selves. To live harmoniously with all three aspects of our lives, to successfully meet all the challenges of sanchin on every level, is the ultimate goal of karate study.
