Shito Ryu Karate Do

[Eleanor Heidecker]

Shitōryū (糸東流) is a form of karate that was founded in 1934 by Kenwa Mabuni (摩文仁 賢和, Mabuni Kenwa). Shitō-ryū is synthesis of the Okinawan Shuri-te and Naha-te schools of karate and today is considered one of the four main styles of the art.[1]

One of his close friends, Chōjun Miyagi (宮城 長順, Miyagi Chōjun) (founder of Gojū-ryū Karate) introduced Mabuni to another great of that period, Kanryō Higaonna (東恩納 寛量, Higaonna Kanryō). Mabuni began to learn Naha-te (那覇手) under him. While both Itosu and Higaonna taught a "hard-soft" style of Okinawan "Te", their methods and emphases were quite distinct: the Itosu syllabus included straight and powerful techniques as exemplified in the Naihanchi and Bassai kata; the Higaonna syllabus stressed circular motion and shorter fighting methods as seen in the kata Seipai and Kururunfa.[citation needed] Shitō-ryū focuses on both hard and soft techniques to this day.[citation needed]

Although he remained true to the teachings of these two masters, Mabuni sought instruction from a number of other teachers, including Seishō Arakaki, Tawada Shimboku, Sueyoshi Jino and Wu Xiangui (a Chinese white crane kung fu master known as Go-Kenki in Japanese). In fact, Mabuni was legendary for his encyclopaedic knowledge of kata and their bunkai applications. By the 1920s, he was regarded as the foremost authority on Okinawan kata and their history and was much sought after as a teacher by his contemporaries.[citation needed] There is even some evidence that his expertise was sought out in China, as well as in Okinawa and mainland Japan.[citation needed] As a police officer, he taught local law enforcement officers and at the behest of his teacher Itosu, began instruction in the various grammar schools in Shuri and Naha.[citation needed]

In an effort to popularize karate in mainland Japan, Mabuni made several trips to Tokyo in 1917 and 1928.[citation needed] Although much that was known as Te (lit. "hand") or karate had been passed down through many generations with jealous secrecy, it was his view that it should be taught to anyone who sought knowledge with honesty and integrity. In fact, many masters of his generation held similar views on the future of Karate: Gichin Funakoshi (founder of Shotokan), another contemporary, had moved to Tokyo in the 1920s to promote his art on the mainland as well.[citation needed]

Mabuni published a number of books on the subject and continued to systematize his instruction method. In his latter years, he developed a number of formal kata, such as Aoyagi, for example, which was designed specifically for women's self-defense. To this day, Shitō-ryū recognizes the influences of Itosu and Higaonna: the kata syllabus of Shitō-ryū is still often listed in such a way as to show the two lineages.

Shitō-ryū is a combination style, which attempts to unite the diverse roots of karate. On one hand, Shitō-ryū has the physical strength and long powerful stances of Shuri-te derived styles, such as Shorin-ryū and Shotokan (松涛館); on the other hand, Shitō-ryū alsohas the circular and eight-directional movements, breathing power, and hard and soft characteristics of Naha-te styles such as Uechi-ryū and Gōjū-ryū (剛柔流). Shitō-ryū is extremely fast, but still can be artistic and powerful. In addition, Shitō-ryū formalizes and emphasizes the five rules of defense, developed by Kenwa Mabuni, and known as Uke no go gensoku (受けの五原則), Uke no go genri (受けの五原理), or Uke no go ho (受けの五法):[9]

Modern Shitō-ryū styles also place a strong emphasis on sparring. Shitō-ryū stresses speed and economy of movement, and fighting is generally initiated from a higher, more upright stance than Shotokan employs. On the other hand, because the style has a relatively high number of kata, a significant of time is spent perfecting forms.

In light of its adopted style and katas, Shito-Ryu Karate is commonly referred to as the blended style. There are two types of soft and hard martial arts, internal and external martial arts, in this new form of karate. Furthermore, the ancient Shuri-te style has an impact on powerful stances, while the Naha-te style has an impact on circular movements.

Shito-Ryu, like other karate styles, is thought to have originated on Okinawa, one of Japan's largest islands. In 1929, master Kenwa Mabuni established a shito-Ryu school in Osaka, Japan, after settling permanently there. However, schools were required to declare the teaching style they used due to government policies at the time. As a result of the blending techniques, Kenwa Mabuni named it Shito-Ryu after his master's initials.

Shito-Ryu, as a karate style, struggled to gain popularity due to its mixed Katas at the outset. However, Shito-Ryu Karate became popular in 1939, thanks to the founder's enormous efforts and hardwork. At the time, the Okinawa people referred to it as "first dance." It was the forerunner of modern Shito-Ryu, known as "Dai-Nihon Karate-Do Kai." There are a large number of people who practice the style and lend a hand in spreading it throughout Japan and around the world.

From 1888 to 1952, Kenwa Mabuni, a Karate student, founded this artistic and powerful style. From 1830 to 1915, he studied the first form, the Shuri-te style, with his master Anko Itosu. Later, from Kanryo Higashionna in 1852 until 1915, he studied the Naha-te style. He was taught by a variety of gurus who assisted him in learning advanced Naha-te styles as well as Nin-jitsu and Arakaki.

In Japanese, the word katas in any Karate style is referred to as "forms." In any type of martial art, these are the techniques that are used to produce muscle memory and mind-fullness, and they are incorporated into the training.

kata's I, II, and III letters refer to the number of attacks. Juni No Kata is also adapted from Taikyoku akats in order to develop the same basic movement pattern. In Goju-Ryu karate, however, these Katas are used with slight variations in stances and hand movement.

Inner peace and a state of mind that an individual is unaware of are referred to as the Pinan Kata. Pinan Shodan, on the other hand, is the first Pinan Kata that leads to Gyaku Tsuki. The contrite moves/energy are the most fundamental principle of Pinan Shodan. When a body shifts in one direction and the blocking energy is used, these principles come into play.

This is the second form or Kata in the Pinan series, and it helps you learn the fundamentals of oi Tsuki. In this Kata, we use the same hand as our leading foot to mark an enemy's attack. Furthermore, all of the pinan series' initial principles were derived from oi Tsuki.

Wankan is another Shito-Ryu karate kata. The word "Wankan" is also known as Okan, which means "emperor's crown." This Kata has a short history, but it is said that it originated in the Tomari-te school and is now used in a variety of Karate styles.

Shito-Ryu Karate is a powerful and effective self-defense technique. The combination of forehead moves gives you the confidence to use them in a real fight situation to protect yourself from any damaging attack. When you're empty-handed, all of the katas and stances were created to provide you with weapons.

Finally, shito-ryu karate is one of the most popular karate forms to learn. However, you'll need some commitment and a focused mind to achieve your goals. Even if you're new to Karate, the style has a few basic stances and techniques to master. We've also gone over some of the most basic katas to make it easier for you to make your decision.

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The Saito-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do of the Traditional Karate-do Federation International (TKF International or TKFI) aspires to bring together members to prosper Saito-ha Shito-ryu with high standards. The organization is dedicated to the promotion, preservation and education of the martial arts and its traditions, with service to the community in the spirit of karate-do. The TKF International Saito-ha Shito-ryu strives to be the most reputable and respected organization worldwide, and pledges to uphold the classical styles of Shito-ryu as founded by Kenwa Mabuni, promoted by Kenzo Mabuni, and advanced by Del Saito Soke through incorporation of his modification of the style.

We pride our members in accountability, integrity, and honor. Each member is asked to sincerely commit to achieving the goals of TKF International Saito-ha Karate-do with veracity, engaging in community outreach activities, and striving for self-improvement of the mind, body and spirit.

The TKFI karate-do competition program offers quality competition and training as an adjunct to the general program of the TKFI organization. The program is intended to enhance the physical, mental and moral development of all athletes; to provide an avenue for competition on a local, national and international level; to integrate into a curriculum that will encourage our athletes to choose a drug-free lifestyle; to showcase TKFI karate champions, instructors, coaches, officials as role models; and to promote good sportsmanship, exemplary citizenship as well as safety in competition.

In 2019, Soke Sato was honoured with a special Kudan (9th Dan) Certificate from two highly respected members of the advisory committee, Shihan Fumio Demura and Dr. David Suzuki. He is one of only a handful of practitioners in Canada to receive this rank.

On November 14, 2019, Shihan Fumio Demura presented Sensei Sato with this special certificate in recognition of his upcoming 50th year (2020) of karate in Canada.

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