empty hand kata, karate forms, kenpo katas

Nai hanchis are a series of 3 katas: Nai Hanchi Shodan, Nai Hanchi Nidan, Nia Hanchi Sandan: The katas review: hand, open-hand and elbow strikes, wrist locks, arm locks, sweeps, and low kicks. It is also know as Iron Horse Kata, changed to Tekki by Funakoshi.

When you break down Nai Han Chi ones finds another meaning:
Nai: nerves/pressure points/dim mak
Han: The Shaolin Master who created the original kata that was introduce to Okinawa.
Chi: energy/spirit/intrinsic power

So we now see the meaning of Naihanchi as the 'Nerve Strikes of Master Han' combining Tuite,Kyusho, and grappling to kill of wound your aggressor.

The primary stance in this series of kata is kiba dachi, which emphasizes the strengthening of the legs and hips. A distinct characteristic of the kata is the technique where the circular movement of the arms protects the head in a block, while simultaneously setting up the opening for the uraken. The appearance of kata can be seen as simple, but from careful study and practice of the bunkai, it is very rich in techniques, and is seen as an effective fighting system

The punching and blocking motions are short because space is very restricted. The short techniques make Naihanchi a very difficult kata to master, and some consideration might be given to thinking of Naihanchi as a more technically advanced level form. Naihanchi, or Tekki in japanese, translated means horse when riding. Some practitioners perform Naihanchi with the knees directed inwards. This is incorrect posture and the practitioner do this because they have not properly developed their legs. When performing each of the Naihanchi kata, once the practitioner drops into the horse stance it is critical to keep their height consistent throughout the entire kata. The practitioner's height should not fluctuate up and down. The only way to build power is not a stance is a strong stance for defense from the front and rear of the practitioner.

Bushi Matsumura created both Naihanchi Shodan and Nidan from a kata called Naifanchi that he got from a Chinese Master named Ason. Some believe either Itosu or Choki Motobu made Naihanchi Sandan. Naihanchi Sandan is not a Matsumura kata, passed down other Shorin lines. Funakoshi called Naihanchi by the name Tekki, meaning "Iron Horse", which refers to the stance used in it. "Iron" refers to its strength and stability. "Horse" refers to the fact that it resembles a man riding a horse. There is more than one possible meaning for the word Naihanchi, and they are both very plausible. The pronunciation of Naihanchi was originally Naifanchi, because that is the way it was pronounced in China. The particle 'Nai' means "inner" or "inside" and probably refers to pointing the toes inward. 'Fan' means a clawed foot of a certain animal. 'Chi' means the soil or foundation. So the original name probably meant something to the effect of being rooted to the ground in correct stance. Chin could mean "battle" as it does in the word Sanchin. The word 'Naihan' could refer to the narrow paths through rice fields that resemble squares. Therefore, it could mean "battle in a rice field."

are a series of 5 katas: Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yodan,Pinan Godan :The katas review: hand, open-hand and elbow strikes, wrist locks, arm locks, sweeps, and kicks.Pinan is thought to be a derivative of the Chinese Chiang Nan (Changed to Heian by Funakoshi)

The Pinan Katas (Ping 'An in Chinese) are very important. The name Pinan means "Peaceful Mind." This name seems to be inspired by the Bubishi.
In article 1 on the History and Philosophy of White Crane. It says, "Immeasurable self-conquests are made possible through a peaceful mind and inner harmony. The strength and resiliency gained from martial art training fosters an inner force with which one can overcome any opponent and conquer worldly delusion and misery." Pinan Shodan and Nidan were created by Bushi Matsumura, and were originally called Channan Sho and Dai. They were based on kata taught at Fukien Shaolin in the Five Elder style. The Chinese reading for this name is "Chiag Nan." Chiag Nan was the name of a Chinese Diplomat who resided Shuri. It is possible that Bushi got the techniques from him. Itosu created Pinan Sandan, Yondan, and Godan and added them to his own system. Some sources say he took them from other Chinese kata also called Chiag Nan that he got from a Chinese master, who may have also been Chaig Nan himself.

Name after a Chinese Ambassador Wanshu, who taught martial arts in Okinawa (Changed to Empi by Funakoshi)

Wan-Su (Wang-ji or Wang ch'i) was the name of a Chinese Crane practitioner who came to Okinawa in 1683, and taught his art. Apparently, he had some connections with Shaolin. According to some sources, the kata Wan-Su and Wan-Su Dai were transmitted by him from China anciently, or at least the techniques in them. They are from a Shaolin Crane derivative. It is generally accepted that the kata were passed down Tomari-te lines. However, according to some sources, they were not exclusive to Tomari, because a Shuri-te practitioner by the name of Matsu Higa studied under Wan-Su. Wanshu lived and worked in Tomari, and aside from his diplomatic responsibilities. He also instructed a small following of disciples in a style called Shaolin White Crane Fist Boxing. Wanshu taught the practitioner also develops the secrets of taking the opponent up and off his feet and throwing him to the ground. Many believe the original version of Wanshu was much longer than the modern kata, which derives from either Kyan or Itosu.