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Karate originated as a martial art
thousands of years ago and was brought to Japan from China, Taiwan and Okinawa.
Many of the famous Karate-ka, or Bushi as they were known in Okinawa,
experimented and developed their skills in such provinces as Shuri, Naha and
Tomari. But unlike Judo and Kendo, Karate was a secret art, unknown to the
general public. There was no fixed system until approximately 1907 when
Yasutsune Itosu of Shuri and Kanryo Higaonna of Naha-both of whom are regarded
today as two of the most influential teachers of Okinawan Karate-gained a good
following for both of their own special styles.
Kenwa Mabuni who had studied under
both Master Yasutsune Itosu and Master Kanryo Higaonna devised the Shito-Ryu
system. Born in 1889, Mabuni was the 17th generation son of a famous samurai
named Onigusuki. Mabuni was keenly aware of the accomplishments of his brave
ancestors and, wanting to overcome poor health, began intensive karate training
at the age of 13. He also studied weapon techniques of the Bo, Sai, Tonfa,and Kama. After learning from other masters like Master Aragaki and
Master Matsumura and by mixing the teaching of Master Itosu and Master Higaonna,
he developed a new system, originally named 'HANKO RYU' (Half-Hard style), but,
later changed it to reflect the deep respect he felt towards his two great masters and called his new system Shito-Ryu.
The name 'Shito' is the combination of
'shi'  and 'to'  , the two first characters
of the names of Master Itosu  and Master Higaonna  .
In 1929 Master Mabuni made a
permanent move to Osaka to teach at universities and police departments. Over
the next few years, Master Mabuni dedicated himself to the further development
and promotion of Shito-Ryu Karate-do in the Osaka area. Among his many students
included was his son Kenzo Mabuni, Kosei Kuniba (founder of Seishin Kai),
Chojiro Tani (founder of Tani-ha Shukokai), Ryusho Sakagami (founder of
Itosu-Kai), Yoshiaki Tsujikawa, Ken Sakio, Jun-ichi Inoue, Manzo Iwata,
Toshiyuki Imanishi, Tokio Hisatomi and Ryusei Tomoyori. At first he taught his
own students pure Shuri-te then pure Naha-te, but he also gave instruction in
other master's styles.
In Japan, Shotokan-Ryu, Wado-Ryu,
Goju-Ryu and Shito-Ryu are the four main styles of Karate. Shito-Ryu is the
style that preserves most of the original Shuri-te techniques, compared with
other styles such as Shotokan and Wado. It also preserves original Naha-te
techniques together with Goju, although each style places emphasis on different
points. Technically, Shuri-te and Tomari-te have rather fast and straight
movements, while Naha-te has circular and supple movements.
Master Mabuni died in his 64th year
on May 23rd 1952, but his system remains one of the four major styles in
Japan.
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Shito-Ryu
Master Kenwa Mabuni |
