History of Shito Ryu Karate

 

A Brief History of Shito Ryu Karate

Kenwa Mabuni

Shito-Ryu Karate is a traditional style of martial art that originated in Japan. It was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) in the early 20th century. Mabuni was born in Okinawa, a small island located in southern Japan, which is considered the birthplace of many karate styles.

Mabuni began his martial arts training in his youth, studying under two prominent masters: Anko Itosu, who was a master of Shorin-Ryu Karate, and Kanryo Higaonna, who was a master of Naha-Te. These two styles heavily influenced Mabuni's development as a martial artist and formed the foundation for the style he later created.

In 1928, Mabuni officially established his own style of karate, which he named "Shito-Ryu" after combining the first characters of his two primary instructors' names: "Shi" from Itosu and "To" from Higaonna. The term "Ryu" means style or school in Japanese.

Shito-Ryu Karate incorporates elements from both Shorin-Ryu and Naha-Te, as well as other influences Mabuni encountered during his training and travels. The style emphasizes both the hard and soft aspects of karate, combining strong strikes and blocks with fluid movements and grappling techniques.

After its formation, Shito-Ryu Karate gained popularity in Japan and eventually spread to other countries through the efforts of Mabuni's students and their respective branches. Mabuni himself continued to refine and teach the style until his passing in 1952.

Following Mabuni's death, leadership of Shito-Ryu Karate passed to his son, Kenei Mabuni, who continued to promote and develop the style. Under Kenei Mabuni's guidance, Shito-Ryu Karate grew internationally, with practitioners establishing dojos (training halls) in various countries.

Today, Shito-Ryu Karate is practiced worldwide and is known for its diverse range of techniques, including punches, kicks, knee strikes, elbow strikes, throws, joint locks, and pressure point strikes. It places a strong emphasis on kata (pre-arranged forms), which serve as a means of practicing and refining techniques.

In conclusion, Shito-Ryu Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art style that was founded by Kenwa Mabuni in the early 20th century. It blends elements from Shorin-Ryu and Naha-Te, and it has gained international recognition and popularity. The style continues to evolve and thrive under the guidance of dedicated practitioners and instructors around the world