There are various translations for the word Naihanchi: Fighting on Home Ground, Surreptitious Stepping, Sideways Fighting, and Iron Horse are some of the most prevalent. There is disagreement over who created these kata, with credit going to either Matsumura of Shuri or Itosu; most authors, however, indicate that these were the first kata taught and that they are very old. This of course would lead one to believe that they were either created from Matsumura or he learned them from some place. If they did come from the Matsumura line, they probably originated in China and may be the Shorin version of a Shigime kata, that is a kata in which the practitioner will be tested, as in the Sanchin kata of Naha. Some say that Matsumura created Naihanchi 1, with 2 & 3 being created by Itosu; others say Itosu created only Naihanchi 3. One can see various stances used in different versions of the kata: uchi-hachiji-cachi. Several sources suggest that this is a Crane kata, with one author maintaining that its roots lie in the kata Gojushiho. These kata are found in both Shuri and Tomari traditions. There are various theories as to what the kata were created for: some say to fight against three people while one's back is against a wall, others say they were designed to fight along the walkways of rice paddies, and still others suggest that they are simply a means of developing the legs and hips for a strong stance and powerful techniques. If one understands the bunkai of the Naihanchi forms, it is easy to see the "against the wall" theory is improbable. The rice paddy theory is more plausible, but very limiting (particularly if the kata did come from China and represents Crane influence). The third theory, the development of balance and strong technique is the most likely explanation.

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