"Four Gates" or "Four Directions of Conflict"
Shisochin translates as "Four Gates" or "Four Directions of Conflict". The idea of four directions can come from the performance of the four shotei (palm-heal strikes) in four directions. It can also represent the four elements represented in Chinese medicine (Acupuncture is one) of Wood, Fire, Metal and Water with man representing Earth. Since this was the science and culture of that period in China when Higaonna and Miyagi both studied in Fuzhou, it would be a great oversight to discount this aspect as a very probable explanation of the Kata's name and martial intent.