ABOUT SHITO-RYU KARATE

Shito-Ryu is one of the four major Japanese styles of karate in the world. It originated on the Island of Okinawa. In ancient times, the art of Karate could not be practiced openly, so those who chose to practice the art did so secretly, hidden from public view. Lacking formal names, people sometimes referred to the various schools of Karate by putting the names of Grand Masters and the Katas (forms) together thus creating a label for the particular school.

Sometimes karate schools were known by their districts. The three Meccas or most famous centers for Karate on Okinawa were Shuri, Naha, and Tomari. One of the most famous Grand Masters in Shuri was Master Itosu. In Naha, it was Master Higaonna. These two men were the highest Karate authorities of their time. There were however, significant differences between them. Mr. Itosu emphasized speed where as Mr. Higaonna placed more emphasis on power. The Originator of Shito-Ryu, Grand Master Kenwa Mabuni initially practiced under Mr. Itosu and then went on to study under Mr. Higaonna. Mr. Mabuni was not only skilled in Karate, but also practiced weaponry such as Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Kama and Nunchaku. Mr. Mabuni founded his new style of Karate by blending together the names of his two great teachers and the Japanese characters that represent them.