General Information

Karate History

The 4 Major Styles of Karate

Shito-Ryu

Kenwa Mabuni

The JKO

Hanshi Miki

Kids Class Materials

Testing Requirements

Shito-ryu is one of the four major recognized styles of Karate in the world today and is considered the most technically correct system with the most number of kata (forms.) In addition to Itsosu-ke and Higaonna-ke kata, the Shito-ryu kata syllabus also includes forms from Seisho Aragaki's Tomari-te, Sokon Matsumura's Shorin-ryu, Wu Xianhui's (Go Kenki) White Crane style, and Chatan Yara's Kusanku kata, as well as ten kata created by Mabuni himself.

Training in Shito-ryu focuses on discipline, speed, strength and strategic thinking. Practice allows students to develop a habit of non-judgmental self-evaluation that helps to improve every aspect of their lives. Self-confidence, patience and determination are all traits students can expect to develop. Shito-ryu is very well suited for shaping and toning the body, as well as increasing flexibility. Its movements and techniques are suited for students of any age or body type.

The Shito-ryu curriculum syllabus is comprehensive. No other martial art offers such a variety of movements and techniques. Techniques include: blocking, parrying, punching, striking, thrusting, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, as well as chokes, throws, sweeps, and joint manipulation.

Kenwa Mabuni (1889 – May 23, 1952) founded our style of Karate-do . He began training at the age of 13 with his first instructor, Yasutsune Itosu ( ee-toe-sue ). Itosu taught the Shuri-te (shoe-ree teh) style which is predominantly focused on speed and agility. Chojun Miyagi introduced Mabuni to his teacher, Kanryo Higaonna (he-ga-oh-nah). Higaonna taught the Naha-te (nah-ha teh) system which is based more on strength, hardening the body and in-fighting. Mabuni began training with his friend under Higaonna.

Yasutsune Itosu	Kanryo Higaonna

Another person Mabuni trained with was Wu Xian Hui . The Okinawans called him Go Kenki. He was a Chinese tea merchant and master of White Crane Kung Fu. He also greatly influenced Mabuni and their training lead to the development of several kata.

Mabuni originally called his style Hanko-ryu (hahn-koh roo) which means “half-hard style.” He moved to Japan in 1922 to begin teaching. Mabuni received his renshi (ren-she – polished instructor or expert ) title from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (die knee-pohn boo-toe-coo kai) in 1931. The DNBK was the national organization created to oversee Japanese martial arts.

Mabuni wanted to pay respect to his teachers, so the name Shito-ryu ( shh-toh roo ) is made up by the first characters from both Itosu and Higaonna's last names. Ryu means style. Shito-ryu was formally registered in 1932.