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 Ankoh 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. Master Itosu taught the Nai-fuan-chi form and Master Higaonna taught
Sanchin, which was later developed into the present-day Goju-ryu style by
Chojun Miyagi.
Kenwa Mabuni who had studied under both Master Itosu and Master 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, Kama, and Nunchaku.
Master Kenwa Mabuni
The name 'Shito' is the combination of 'shi' and 'to' , the two first
characters of the names of Master Itosu and Master Higaonna .
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 Japanese government's martial arts
sanctioning organization, the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai began to demand the
different groups applying for membership, be more specific in the
description of their Karate systems, and pressured them to name their
systems).
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. He was faced with an extremely difficult task
due to the unwillingness of the population to accept him or this strange
looking system of self-defense, resembling an ancient 'Okinawan-Fist Dance'.
In order to bring Shito-ryu to the general public's attention, Master Mabuni
would perform many demonstrations where he would break bricks and boards to
show the power of karate. Continually trying to gain acceptance of his art,
Master Kenwa Mabuni would give free instruction at various police stations
across western Japan.
Shito Ryu Karate-do became more accepted after this time, and Master Mabuni
began to teach many students at his home and at many Universities that were
forming clubs. Among his many students included were his two sons, Kenei
Mabuni and Kenzo Mabuni, Kosei Kokuba (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, 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.
*from
Kazoku Karate Dojo
