THE HISTORY OF SHITO-RYU

Karate originated as a martial art thousand of years ago and was brought to Japan from China, Taiwan and Okinawa. Many of the famous karateka, 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 Yastune Itosu of Shuri and Kaneryo 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. Instructor Itosu taught the Nai-Huan-Chi form and Higaonna taught Sanchin that was later developed into the present day GOJU-RYU style by Chojyn Miyagi.

The SHITO-RYU system was devised by Kenwa Mabuni who had studied under both Itosu and Higaonna. Born in 1893, 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 from Master Aragaki. By mixing the teaching of Itosu and Higaonna, and, using their initials he developed a new system and coined it SHITO-RYU. He instructed the secrets of his art to Okinawa’s police constabulary and self-defense forces and also made frequent visits to Japan prior to 1920 to instruct the art. In 1929 Mabuni made a permanent move to Osaka to teach at universities and police departments. He died in May, 1957, at the age of 64, but his system remains one of the four major styles in Japan.