Helo all, I have learnt this kata,seen it performed on vidio and in a number of books, the bunkai of it seems v dubious, ... rotary open hand blocks with both arms against kicks,half way through, the initial 3 moves, slow hammerfists followed by an upwards block- both arms, etc..I have also come across references to it as a " womans or female " kata, particularly the last moves- hopping backwards . I have some ideas about the bunkai, which to me make sense, but would like others opinions on it, and anything about its history, thanks

Heres some info I dug up

"Chinte means Strange hand, Chinese hand or Incredible hands. The kata was probably imported into Okinawa from China, with the word Chin possibly relating to a Chinese technique for attacking the vital points."

and good ole wikipedia said
"Shotokan Kata: Chinte (Rare Hand or Chinese Hand)

This very old kata originates from China. Its mixture of standard movements and rarely-seen techniques, vestiges of ancient forms, give this kata a special appeal. Particularly dynamic, with its alternating strong and slow passages, Chinte is unique also in the presence of a number of circular techniques, despite the preference in Shotokan karate for linear movements. It is a kata of close-distance self-defense techniques. The closing movement alludes to the absorption of the power of the waves by the sand, which is a symbol of the return to tranquility after the violent storm."

FYI part of the reason you may think of Chinte as strange hand if you do the JKA version you finish with 3 backward bunnyhops, which are not done in the Okinawan versions.

thanks, people, knew about " strange hands " but not its origins, very interesting about the okinawan version, is the jka one so that you end up in the same place as you start- a feature of japanese kata, absolutly loathe that move!! love the eye strikes tho