Kenwa Mabuni
Karate is a method of fighting using blocks, punches, hand strikes and kicks to disable or defeat an attacker. Karate originated in the Ryukyu islands south of Kyushu (one of the four main islands of Japan). Okinawa is the largest of the Ryukyu islands and since early times has been a center for trading and commerce. Traders from mainland China, Korea, the Phillipines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan etc., often stopped at Okinawa to barter or sell goods and take on supplies. Thus, as with any trading center, the ideas of several cultures were exchanged. China, in particular, had a profound influence on the culture and social customs of Okinawa. Therefore, as the indigenious population developed a set of martial arts for self defense and police activities, they naturally had a strong Chinese flavor and incorporated may Chinese unarmed techniques. In fact, the original kanji or characters for Karate meant "Chinese Hand". The true origins of Karate probably will never be fully determined because of a lack of written documentation. However, starting in the 1700's, some Karate experts do appear in various records. The exploits of individuals such as Sakugawa and later Marumura were noted and the unarmed fighting prowess of such men has taken on almost legendary proportions. For a more thorough discussion of these early experts and the history of early Karate, the reader is refered to John Sells' excellent book Unante: The Secrets of Karate (available from The Martial Source ).
Shito Ryu Karate was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (November 14, 1889 - May 23, 1952). When he was 13 years old, Mabuni Sensei began training with Anko Itosu, a noted Karate master in the Shuri area of Okinawa. Itosu Sensei was not only highly skilled in Budo but also a great innovator in teaching the martial arts. Around 1905, Itosu Sensei introduced Karate into the Okinawan public school system. Among other accomplishments, Itosu Sensei created the Pinan (Heian) kata which are still practiced today as introductory or intermediate forms in many schools. Itosu Sensei had an important effect on Karate in the 20th Century. Evidence of this can be found in the number of ryuha or Karate styles that trace their lineage back to him. This includes notables such as Gichin Funakoshi, who was responsible for starting Shotokan Karate, Chomo Hanashiro, Kentsu Yabe, Choshin Chibana and others.
About 1909, through an introduction by his friend Chojun Miyagi, Mabuni Sensei started to also train with Kanryo Higaonna (sometimes known as Higashionna). Higaonna Sensei was a expert form the Naha region of Okinawa. Through Higaonna Sensei, Mabuni Sensei learned kata such as Saiha, Sanchin, Seienchin, Seipai and others. Miyagi Sensei went on to found the Goju Ryu style of Karate.
In 1915, both Itosu Sensei and Higaonna Sensei passed away within a short time of one another. Mabuni Sensei continued his training. Ultimately, he and Miyagi Sensei joined with other students of Karate to start a research group aimed at practicing and spreading Karate. During this time Mabuni Sensei also trained in and taught various forms of Okinanwan weaponry or Ryukyu Kobudo.
In 1929, Mabuni Kenwa Sensei moved his entire family to Osaka. There he established a small dojo and began teaching his unique art. Hanko Ryu or Half-Hard Style. In the 1930's, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (the Japanese martial arts sanctioning organization) 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. Originally, Mabuni Kenwa Sensei thought to name his system Hanko Ryu or "half-hard" style. However, ultimately Mabuni Sensei decided on the name SHI TO which was formed by taking the first characters (kanji) from the names of his two primary teachers, Itosu and Higa(shi)onna. Thus, the name Shito Ryu has no literal meaning but rather honors the two main teachers in Mabuni Kenwa Sensei's life. In the same context, the kata syllabus of Shito Ryu is still listed as having two lineages, Itosu Ke and Higaonna.
Mabuni Kenwa Sensei worked tirelessly to teach Karate throughout Japan. His efforts brought him into contact with other people who were essential to the growth of Karate in Japan. The impact that Mabuni Kenwa had on the development of Japanese Karate was tremendous. Many groups trace an element of their lineage back to him. Mabuni Kenwa died on May 23rd, 1952.
Kenzo Mabuni
The second Soke or headmaster of Shito Ryu was Mabuni Kenzo. Mabuni Kenzo Sensei was born on May 30, 1927 in Shuri City, Okinawa. He passed away June 26, 2005 in Osaka, Japan. He began training with his father when he was 13 years old. Thus, he trained in Shito Ryu Karate Do for over 65 years. Because of his teachings and devotion to his students, Mabuni Kenzo Sensei was considered by many of us to be our father in Karate.
Five Way Spirit or path of Shito-Ryu Karate Do
GO DO SHIN
1. Always remember the spirit of first beginning (Will)
2. Always be courteous (Morality)
3. Always give your best effort (Growth)
4. Always follow your heart (Common sense)
5. Always maintain harmony (Peace)
Shito Ryu Kata Syllabus
In Shito Ryu, the kata are divided into two major lines, Itosu-ke and Higaonna-ke. Using that nomenclature, the kata of Shito Ryu Karate are listed below.
| Itosu-ke | Higaonna-ke |
| Kihon (1-12) | Sanchin |
| Pinan (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan,Godan) | Shinsei |
| Naihanchin (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan) | Kensho |
| Juroku | Tensho |
| Matsukaze | Sochin |
| Jutte | Shisochin |
| Jion | Seienchin |
| Jiin | Happosho |
| Rohai (Matsumura) | Shimpa |
| Rohai (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan) | Saiha |
| Bassai (Dai, Sho) | Kururumpha |
| Bassai (Matsumura) | Seisan |
| Kosookun (Dai, Sho) | Seipai |
| Shihokosookun | Niseishi |
| Chintei | Sanseiru |
| Chinto | Unshu |
| Wanshu | Suparinpei |
| Kenshu | Nipaipo |
| Miyojo | |
| Aoyagi | |
| Gojushiho | |
| Kenpaku |
About Kata
You may be asking yourself, what is kata? Kata has been described as simulated fighting, as one locked into mortal combat with a dangerous enemy, and one seeking perfection in their karate techniques. Kata is all of this and more. Kata is the heart and soul of Karate-Do. Without kata we are no better than street fighters with no history, lineage, or art to pass on to the next generation. Karate is alive and well today because of kata and the dedication of those that passed it along to their students. Kata was handed down from one generation of karateka to the next. In its history, karate training was forbidden by law and it was an executable offense if one was caught training in karate. Many karate masters risked their very lives as they trained in darkness and in secret so that Karate could continue.
Kata is the most difficult part of karate training. It requires a student to work on perfecting technique, power, kime, zanshin, kiai, embusen, breathing, and much more. In addition, each kata has bunkai which is the actual application of the kata fighting techniques. Many hours can be spent on learning the kata, bunkai and its defense and counter attack techniques. A kata that is well performed is a work of art and the student that understands and performs the bunkai well, understands the battle within the battle. For kata is not just a series of moves linked together, it is a series of battles one or lost by the karatekas understanding of the kata.
As was mention in the Style section, Bushido Kai Karate is associated with two styles of Karate. Both Shito-Ryu and Gosoku-Ryu have a number of katas within the curriculum. Shito-Ryu has the most kata of any karate style numbering over 60. This is because Shito-Ryu katas derive from two great masters Itosu Yasutsune and Higashionna Kanryo both teachers of Grand Master Mabuni Kenwa. In addition, Mabuni Kenwa developed a number of his own katas. Both Shito-Ryu and Gosoku-Ryu are Japanese styles therefore the katas have similar roots.
UKE WAZA
BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
| Age Uke - Upper block | Kosa Uke - Cross arm block |
| Yoko Uchi - Forearm inward block | Kote Uke - Back of the hand block |
| Yoko Uke - Forarm outward side block | Kakiwake - Wedged block |
| Yoko Barai - Forearm outward side parry | Gedan Barai / Harai Uke - Downward parry block |
| Wa Uke - Two arm circle block | Ko Uke - Wrist block |
| Tsuki Uke - Thrust block | Sashite - Inward sweeping palm block |
| Ninoude - Back of forarm inward block | Kensasae Uke - Two hand outward block (open hand at fist) |
| Hijisasae Uke - Two hand outward block (closed fist at elbow) | Tsukidome - Withdrawing forearm block |
| Kakete Uke - Hooking hand block | Sukui Uke - Scooping block |
| Ura Uke - Inverted block (small circle with wrist | Ukenagashi - Inward palm sweeping block |
| Shotei - Palm heel block | Shuto Uke - Knife hand block |
| Gassho Uke - Praying hands block | Hariyuki - Two knife hand pushing block |
| Kara Uke - Empty or void block | Oura Uke - large circle inverted forearm block |
TSUKI WAZA
THRUSTING TECHNIQUES
| Seiken chudan tuski - center thrust | Age tsuki - Rising thrust |
| Seiken Jodan tsuki - upper thrst | Furi tsuki - round house thrust |
| Uraken uchi - back fist strike | Ipponken - one knuckle thrust |
| Hariken tsuki - four knuckle thrust | Nukite - spear hand |
| Tateken tsuki - verticle forefist thrust | Morote tsuki - Two arm, two level thrust |
| Shuto uchi - knife hand strike | Urashuto - Ridge hand |
| Kentsui uchi - hammer fist | Shuho - back knuckles peaked hand |
Hiji Waza
Elbow techniques
| Hiji chudan ate - center elbow strike | Hiji otoshi ate - downward elbow strike |
| Hiji age ate - rising elbow strike | Hiji jodan ate - upper elbow strike |
| Hiji yoko ate - side elbow strike | Hiji ushiro ate - rear elbow strike |
GERI WAZA
KICKING TECHNIQUES
| Hiza Geri - Knee kick | Yoko Geri - side kick |
| Chudan Geri - center kick | Koshu Geri - Back heel kick |
| Jodan Geri - upper level kick | Kakato Geri - Heel stomp |
| Sokko Geri - Groin kick | Ushiro Geri - Back kick |
| Sokuto Geri - knee joint kick | Hizagaeshi - knee sweeping kick |
| Mawashi Geri - round house kick | Fumioroshi - Toe stomping kick |
Dachi Kata
Stances
| Heisoku dachi - feet together | Heiko dachi - Forward parallel |
| Musubi dachi - Open toed stance | Zenkutsu dachi - forward stance |
| Namiheiko dachi - Parallel stance | Kokutsu dachi - Back stance |
| Uchihachiji dachi - Toes inward | Nekoashi dachi - Cat stance |
| Sotohachiji dachi - Toes outward | Sanchin dachi - 3 Point stance |
| Shiko dachi - Sumo stance | Kosa dachi - Cross leg stance |
Seito Shito-Ryu Karate Titles
| HANSHI (Leader, 8th Dan) |
| KYOSHI (Full Teacher, 7th Dan) |
| TATSUSHI (Expert Teacher, 6th Dan) |
| RENSHI (High Example, 5th Dan) |
| SHIHAN (License to Teach, 5th Dan) |
Source:http://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/karate/
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