Katsuyuki Shimabukuro 島袋勝之 was a student of Chibana Chosin, later Higa Yuchoku, now Tokashiki Iken.
In Okinawa, Naihanchi is performed with both open and closed hands. The bunkai are not exactly the same, but they are related. It’s like variations on a theme..
The kata has profound importance in traditional karate. In fact, Kentsu Yabu, a student of master Anko Itosu, famously stated that “Karate begins and ends with Naihanchi”. This highlights the kata’s fundamental nature in martial arts training. Naihanchi (also known as Naifanchi or Tekki) is a critically important kata in Okinawan karate with deep historical roots.