A Brief History of Shito-Ryu
Shito-ryu karate is one of the four traditional styles of karate recognised in the World today and was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952).
At 13 years of age, Kenwa Mabuni began his training in shorin-ryu (a traditional form of Okinawan te fighting) with Anko Itosu. Anko Itosu was a highly skilled master and also a great innovator who introduced the teaching of te into the Okinawan public school system in around 1905. He also created the set of Pinan katas, which are still practised today.
In around 1909 Kenwa Mabuni also began training in shorei-ryu (another traditional form of Okinawan te fighting) with another great master, Kanryo Higaonna.
In 1929 Kenwa Mabuni moved from Okinawa to Osaka, Japan where he established a small dojo where he taught his unique art, mixing shorin-ryu and shorei-ryu and some kata from the White Crane school of Chinese kung-fu, which had been taught to him by the legendary Go Kenki.
Kenwa Mabuni named his style of karate shito-ryu and worked tirelessly for the rest of his life, teaching karate throughout Japan.
At 13 years of age, Kenwa Mabuni began his training in shorin-ryu (a traditional form of Okinawan te fighting) with Anko Itosu. Anko Itosu was a highly skilled master and also a great innovator who introduced the teaching of te into the Okinawan public school system in around 1905. He also created the set of Pinan katas, which are still practised today.
In around 1909 Kenwa Mabuni also began training in shorei-ryu (another traditional form of Okinawan te fighting) with another great master, Kanryo Higaonna.
In 1929 Kenwa Mabuni moved from Okinawa to Osaka, Japan where he established a small dojo where he taught his unique art, mixing shorin-ryu and shorei-ryu and some kata from the White Crane school of Chinese kung-fu, which had been taught to him by the legendary Go Kenki.
Kenwa Mabuni named his style of karate shito-ryu and worked tirelessly for the rest of his life, teaching karate throughout Japan.
