Historians disagree over who created these kata. Credit goes to either Matsumura or Itosu of Shuri. 
Sokon 'Bushi' Matsumura
Anako Itosu
Historians indicate
that this was one of the first kata taught in Okinawan traditions and
thus is very old. Nihanshi kata is found in both Shuri and Tomari
traditions. If they did come
from the Matsumura line, they plausably originated in China and may be
the Shorin version of a Shigime kata. This 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. There
are various theories as to what the kata bunkai defends against: 1)
Some say to fight against three people while one's back is against a
wall. 2) Others claim it was designed to fight along the walkways of
rice paddies. 3) 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.
--Sensei Ed Duga
Naihanchi Kata is really one of a
series of Naihanchi kata practiced in Motobu Ryu today. We in Shian
Toma's Seidokan Karate practice the Shodan Version, though this is not
a main line Seikichi Uehara kata and not part of the Royal Palace Hand
art as he teaches it. It was the favorite kata of Choki Motobu, who
was prevented from learning the family art and learned the commoner's
te instead. Modern practitioners of Motobu Ryu saw the value in this
and other katas of their ancestor Coki Motobu. It was adopted into the
Motobu Ryu Family System by current head master Chosei Motobu.
He teaches this kata in Mainland Japan and is authorized by the Japan
Karate Do Motobukai. Distinct differences from Motobu Ryu Naihanchi and
the common Shorin Ryu is in three distinct operational differences. 1)
The double block (middle and low sections) combination in most Shorin
Ryu systems are just two blocks responding to a double punch. The
Motobu Ryu performance of the technique is a middle block and a low
strike (tsuki otoshi) to the opponent's weapon. 2)
The sweep in most Shorin Ryu Systems is really a hidden technique in
Motobu Ryu. Motobu Ryu masks it like a sweep but the bunkai is really
a front kick. For years I practiced this kata
thinking it a transmission to Sensei Toma from our Shorin Ryu roots.
However, these two applications and differences sided him on the Motobu
Ryu application side of the house. 3)
Thirdly, unlike the other Shorin Ryu systems, we do not rotate the hips
forward as in the Sanchin Dachi. We are in a relaxed waist posture and
in more of a horse riding stance with the feet spread a little more
than shoulder width apart. --- Sensei Donnie Hayhurst
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