The Pinan (also pronounced Heian) kata are a comparatively modern series of kata, probably invented by Master Anko Itosu, as a key part of his quest to take karate practice into the open, and particularly into the Okinawan school system.

Possibly based on an older kata known as Chanan, there are 5 Pinan kata, ranging from relatively basic through to intermediate levels. The techniques in the Pinan kata are representative of those from some of the more advanced kata in Karate, including Kusanku, Chinto and Jion.

The 5 Pinan kata are commonly taught in most schools with a Shorinryu background, and are the fundamental kata of the Shotokan school.

Within Shorinjiryu, the Pinan kata are not known to have ever been taught by Kaiso Kori Hisataka, and his key teacher Master Chotoku Kyan is known to have refused to incorporate these kata into his teaching, as he considered them too basic.

That said, two of the kata – Pinan Shodan (aka Heian Nidan) and Pinan Yondan – are taught at the Kenkokan hombu dojo. Other Shorinjiryu offshoots teach these 2 kata, and in some cases all five. The introduction of at least the 2 Pinan kata mentioned is almost certainly the legacy of Hanshi Masayuki Kukan Hisataka, who determined the need for basic level kata that would be recognised in a competitive environment.

In recent times, the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo school has decided to drop these kata from its syllabus, in an effort to consolidate the teachings to be consistent with those of the founder, Kaiso Kori Hisataka.