The Pinan (平安) kata are a series of five empty hand forms taught in many karate styles.

The Pinan kata originated in Okinawa and were adapted by Anko Itosu from older kata such as Kusanku and Channan[1] into forms suitable for teaching karate to young students.

[2][3] According to Motobu Chōki, one of Ankō Itosu's early students, the Pinan kata was created by Itosu and were originally called Channan (チャンナン), possessing slightly different movements.

Thus, they are present today in the curriculum of Shitō-ryū, Wadō-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Kobayashi-ryū, Kyokushin, Seido Juku, Shinki-Ryu, Shōrei-ryū, Shotojuku, Shotokan, Matsubayashi-ryū, Shukokai, Shindo Jinen Ryu, Koei-Kan, Kosho-ryū Kempo, Kenyu Ryu, Kushin Ryu and several other styles.

The 5 kata were Pinans Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, and Godan.