THE HISTORY OF SHITO-RYU ITOSU-KAI KARATE-DO

Due to the lack of substantial documentation, much of the history of Karate-do is clouded in secrecy, and has been lost to the mists of time. Sparse documentation and a tradition of secrecy has forced modern students to base their interpretations of Karate-do ,in part , upon fragmentary information gathered from the few surviving historical documents, but mostly from a tradition that passed on information orally , from father to son, master to student.

Nevertheless, modern historians are in agreement that the earliest precursor of modern Karate-do originated In India , from whence a method of self defence called Gong-fu( Quan-fa or Kempo) was introduced to China by Buddhist monks , where it further flourished for another two thousand years In 1340, Ryukyu ( Okinawa) entered into a tributary relationship with china, and by 1372, Ryukyu (Okinawa) was formally invested as a tributary state of China by the Chinese Emperor Chu Yuen Cheang. At this time , the first of a succession of 23 Chinese envoys was sent to Ryukyu (Okinawa), the main island of the Ryukyu Island chain located about 300 miles south of mainland Japan, 300 miles north of Taiwan and 400 miles east of China. These Chinese Imperial envoys travelled to Okinawa with several hundred craftsmen, artisans, monks, navigators, scribes, etc. and resided in Kumemura (Toeii). It is believed that these envoys introduced Chinese Quan-fa to the native Okinawans ,who in turn blended these teachings with their native Te(hand)to develop Tote(toudi)-jutsu (art of the tang -hand or Chinese hand),the Okinawan precursor to Karate-do. At this time , Okinawan students were also travelling to China to learn Gong-fu(Quan-fa or Kempo)

In 1477 ,King Shoshin of Okinawa , in order to control his unruly nobles, banned the possessions of weapons by the warrior class and forced the nobility to reside near the Royal castle. In response to this weapon prohibition, Tote(toudi)-jutsu and Ryukyu Kobudo (weaponry) commenced being taught in secret.

In May of 1609, samurai of the Satsuma Clan invaded Okinawa and continued the previous ban on the use of weapons. As their lives literally depended upon the utmost secrecy, early Tote(toudi)-jutsu practioners practiced at night , often in cemeteries or in secluded beaches, away from prying eyes.This tradition of secrecy, no doubt , was in part responsible for the sparse availability of written information, with the martial art of Tote(toudi)-jutsu being preserved almost entirely by means of an oral tradition. In retrospect, most Okinawan Karate-do masters realize that this banning of weapons was a very wise decision , without which Karate-do might never have developed.

In time three distinct styles of Tote(toudi)-jutsu were formulated and named after their respective villages where they were propagated (ie.Shuri-te, Tomari-te, and Naha-te.)

In 1683, a Chinese envoy named Wanshu (Wang Ji) , a master of Kempo, taught villagers in Tomari a kata named after him. In 1755 Sakagawa Tode (karate) (1733-1815) travelled to China to learn the art of Chinese Kempo. The following year, a Kempo master named Kushanku (Guan Kui) and several of his students visited Ryukyu (Okinawa) and taught the Okinawans a kata named after him. Sakugawa Tode (Karate) subsequently became a student of Kushanku, and has been credited with providing the impetus for the development of modern Karate-do. His most famous student was Matsumura Sokon (Bushi)(1792-1887), master of Shuri-te , who taught members of the royal family. At the same time in Tomari resided Matsumora Kosaku a master of Tomari-te ( it is believed that Tomari-te is derived from Shuri-te). In 1875 Higaonna (Higashionna -in Japanese)Kanryo (1853-1915) travelled to Fukien province in China to learn Kempo from Ryu Ryuko (Xie Zhongxiang). On his return to Okinawa Higaonna Sensei taught a Kempo style called Naha-te. Shuri-te and Tomari-te later gave rise to several styles of Shorin-ryu, while from Naha-te the style of Goju-ryu was later developed by Miyagi Chojun. In the latter 1800's, another Okinawan named Uechi Kanbun also travelled to Fukien province to study Kempo ,later returning to Okinawa and introducing another style of Naha-te called Uechi-Ryu.

Matsumura Sokon's foremost student was Itosu Yatsusune (Anko) (1830-1915), who in turn also became a master of Shuri-te. In addition to teaching a whole new generation of Kempo(Tote-jutsu) masters who went on to propagate the art in Okinawa and mainland Japan, Itosu Sensei was renowned for his development (circa 1905) of the Pinan Kata (originally called Channan) from the Kushanku katas, and the introduction of these katas and Tote-jutsu into the Okinawan school system.

Tote (toudi)-jutsu and Ryukyu Kobu-jutsu were introduced to the Japanese in May of 1917, at the Kyoto Hall of Martial Arts (Butukokai Butukosai) by Funakoshi Gichin Sensei (1868-1957), founder of Shotokan Karate-do, and Matayoshi Shinko, founder of Matayoshi-ryu Kobu-jutsu. A demonstration that had a profound effect on the introduction of Tote(toudi)-jutsu to Japan was in 1921 at Shuri Castle, before members of the Imperial Family, including Crown Prince Hirohito. At the urging of Kano Jigoro founder of Judo) a man with enormous influence in Japan, Funakoshi Sensei was the first to leave Okinawa in 1922 to reside in mainland Japan.

The founder of our style, Mabuni Kenwa Sensei (1889-1952) was the ichiban-deshi of Itosu Sensei, succeeding him as the second master of Itosu-Kai on the latter's death in 1915. A childhood friend of Mabuni Sensei, Miyagi Chojun (founder of Goju-ryu) introduced Mabuni Sensei to Higaonna Sensei, from whom Mabuni Sensei learned Naha-te. Mabuni Senseihad an insatiable appetite for kata, studying with such masters as Arakaki Kamadeunchu (1840-1918) from who he learned the Unshu, Nisheishi, Sochin, Arakai-sai and Arakaki-bo katas; with Gokenki (Wu Xiangui), a Chinese teacher of Fujian White Crane, from whom he learned the katas Happoren (Paipuren) Nipaipo (Nepai) and Hakutsuru, with Tawada Shimbuku Tawada-sai, and Sueyoshi Jino Sueyoshi-bo. Being influenced by Uechi Kanbun founder of Uechi-Ryu, Mabuni Sensei created the kata Shimpa. Based upon his years of research, Mabuni Sensei created additional katas of his own- Juroko, Myojo, Aoyagi and Shinsei.

In 1929 at the request of Kano Jigoro(founder of Judo), Mabuni Sensei followed the example set by Funakoshi Sensei, and moved with his family to the Japanese mainland. Other Okinawan master such as Miyagi Chojun,Yabiku Moden and Motobu Choki ,also left Okinawa to reside in Japan and teach Tote (toudi)-jutsu and Ryukyu-Kobu-jutsu.

Mabuni Sensei first served his compulsory military service, and completed a career as a highly respected Police officer before he moved to Osaka Japan to teach Tote(toudi)-jutsu.In 1933 Mabuni Sensei blended the teachings of Shuri-te and Naha-te to create a new style that he first called Hanko-Ryu (half hard style).Mabuni Sensei later changed the name of his new style to Shito-Ryu. The ideogram "Shi" is pronounced "Ito" (from Itosu)and "To" ispronounced "Higa" (from Higaonna). In deference to his Senseis, Mabuni Sensei combined the ideograms to from the name of his new style. Shito-Ryu was officially registerred with the Dai Nippon Butokukai by Mabuni Sensei in 1939.

Mabuni Sensei was a kindly, much respected and admired Tote(toudi)-jutsu, sai-jutsu, and bo-jutsu expert, who was sought out by many for instruction and information regarding bunkai (application) of katas. In fact Funakoshi Sensei (founder of Shotokan) was taught the Pinan (heian) katas by Mabuni Sensei, and had his other katas ,learned originally from Itosu Anko and Azato Anko , corrected by Mabuni Sensei. On occassion Funakoshi Sensei would either take or send his top students to study kata with Mabuni Sensei, this action acknowledged Mabuni Sensei's expertise in kata. While Mabuni Sensei was widely respected as the leading authority on kata, he was also one of the first to experiment with full protective gear for sparring. He was also renowned for his research into the Bubishi (Wu-Bei-Zhi)a martial art treatise from China that greatly influenced his development of Shito-Ryu. Mabuni Sensei also authored several publications, but unfortunately all went out of print before World War II, with the exception two of Mabuni Sensei's 1934 publications which have been reproduced in Mabuni Kenei's (Mabuni Sensei's son) 1989 Karate-Do Shito-Ryu,a book which was published in French.

Around 1936, in Okinawa and Japan the name Tote(toudi)-jutsu was changed to Karate-jutsu(art of the empty hand), no doubt to remove the unpopular Foreign(Chinese) ring to the name because of the recent war, and the dislike of all things foreign. In keeping with the established Japanese Martial Arts of Kendo, Judo, Iaido, karate practioners were encouraged to use the suffix "do" instead of the older "jutsu ". Karate-do (The way of the empty Hand).

One of Mabuni Sensei's most prolific disciples, Sakagami Ryusho Sensei (1915-1993) had initially studied with another master of Shuri-te Yabiku Moden in Japan, as well as other Itosu-Kai masters in Okinawa (Shiroma Shinpan, Hanashiro Chomo, and Chibana Chosin) however he became the ichiban-deshi of Mabuni Sensei in May 1937. On Mabuni Sensei's death in 1952, Sakagami Ryusho Sensei (O Sensei) became the third master of Itosu-ha Seito (Itosu's Orthodox Style) while Mabuni Sensei's elder son Mabuni Kenei assumed the leadership of the main branch of Shito-Ryu. Other branches include : Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu

Hayashi-ha Shito-Ryu

Shito-Kai

Tani-ha Shito-Ryu

Shito Kempo-Kai.

Like Mabuni Sensei before him Sakagami Sensei also wrote several books and publications, as well as continuing with research on the Bubishi. )on Sakagami Sensei'sdeath in December of 1993, his son Sakagami Sadaaki Sensei (9th Dan) succeeded him as Soke (head) of Itosu-Kai at the Nippon Karate-do Itosu-Kai Headquarters (Hombu) in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama Japan.

The Chief Instructor, and founder of Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Canada, Tsumura Kei Sensei, 7th Dan, Shihan, attained the rank of 5th dan at the Itosu-Kai Hombu in Japan. In 1969, Tsumura Shihan introduced Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Karate-do at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center in Don Mills Ontario. Tsumura Shihan also studied Kobudo while in Japan, with Taira Shinken Sensei,(1898-1970) and was the last person to be awarded the Shihan Menkyo 5th Dan certificate signed by Taira Shinken.

In 1979 Tsumura Sensei was promoted to 6th dan Shihan by Sakagami Sensei (O Sensei) in 1991 to the rank of 7th dan,finally to his present rank of 8th Dan on May 2nd 1999 by Sakagami Soke. Many of Tsumura Sensei's students have established Dojos throughout Canada, with dojos in Argentina, Chile, Ireland and Italy .

In Canada Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai is being taught in the following Dojos by their respectiveSenseis and Sempais:

Hombu- Canadian Headquarters- Westwood Theater Mall, Islington Ontario. Tsumura Kei- 8th Dan Shihan,Chief Instructor

Maeda Hiroshi- 6th Dan Hombu

Sicilia Sandy 5th Dan

Terry Nishikawa Dan

Bob Cambria 4th Dan Hombu

Robinson Frank 4th Dan Hombu

Mark Uyeda 4th Dan Hombu

Tom Sudak 4th Dan Hombu

Donnelly Fred 3rd Dan

Kalos Ima 3rd Dan

Dana Wright 2nd Dan

Marie Paule Duret 2nd Dan

J.C.C.C. Don Mills , Ontario. >Grossmann Helmut 5th Dan PRESIDENT

Bendoff Nada 5th Dan-Director

Marjorie Hunter 3rd Dan

Peter Hansall 2nd Dan

Alliston Heckhaus Hugo 4th Dan

Barrie Heckhaus Hugo 4th Dan

Britt Baskey Carl 3rd Dan

Michael Wink 1st Dan Chief instructor Collingwood

Penny Wink 1st Dan Collingwood

Patti Gobin 1st Dan Collingwood retired

Catrina Wink 1st Dan Collingwood

Deep River Chaplin Ken 4th Dan

Humphry Agnello Tony 5th Dan

Hunstville Melbourne Howard 3rd Dan

Meaford Frank Emptage 2 nd Dan

Midland Moreau James 3rdDan

Ottawa Mercier Dave 4th Dan

Parry Sound Agnello Tony 5th Dan

Pembroke Stevens Mark 5th Dan

Port Elgin Feisthauer Frank 5thDan

Antler Brian 2nd Dan

Marsh Henry 2nd Dan

Riverdale White Robert (bo) 4th Dan

Wasaga Beach Jason Dowling 3rdDan

Mike Duval 1st Dan

Outside of Ontario There are several more Dojos

Edmonton Alberta- Barrau Joe 4th Dan

Taylor Bob 3rd Dan

St Albert Alberta Lindsay Sue 5thDan

Radulski Elaine 4th Dan

Calgary Alberta Mercer Dave

Grandview Manitoba Gribbon Theresa 2nd Dan

Innuvik N.W.T. Andrew Robert 1st Dan

Outside of Canada there are several Dojos closely tied to the Canadian organization

San Raphael , Mendoza Argentina

Vina del Mar Chile- Moreno Juan 2nd Dan

Ballinasloe , Gallway, Ireland Mulvany Leo 5th Dan

Venice Italy Chinellato Roberto 3rd Dan.

The preceeding outline of the history of Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Karate-Do was prepared for educational purposes and while the accuracy of certain statements may be disputed, they entirely reflect the accuracy of the various reference materials consulted.

prepared by: Feisthauer Frank 5th Dan

Mercier Dave 4th Dan

2004-January(revised)

------------A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT-----------------

Many students in martial arts look for the sensational, the flashy, the showy, however in SHITO-RYU Karate they could be disappointed. MABUNI KENWA felt that leaving the ground to kick or punch left a person vulnerable and unbalanced,so you will find that most of SHITO RYU's kicks are aimed at the torso,the stomach or the knees. SHITO-RYU is also known for its strong hand technique and heavy use of kata in the training.In fact SHITO-RYU ITOSU-KAI karate has well over 72 kata, so there is always something new to learn. KATA helps the student to perfect technique, balance and concentration.

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