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Kenwa Mabuni
Bio
Kenwa Mabuni (摩文仁 賢和, November 14, 1889 – May 23, 1952) was a seminal figure in the development of modern karate, renowned for founding Shitō-ryū, one of the four major traditional karate styles.
Born in Shuri, Okinawa, Mabuni hailed from a noble family with a 17th-generation lineage tracing back to the Ryukyu Kingdom. At 13, he began training under Anko Itosu, a prominent Shuri-te master who played a pivotal role in introducing karate into Okinawa's public school system. Mabuni later studied under Chōjun Miyagi, founder of Gōjū-ryū, and Go Kenki, a Chinese White Crane kung fu master. His comprehensive training in both hard and soft styles profoundly influenced Shitō-ryū's balanced approach.
In 1934, Mabuni established Shitō-ryū, a synthesis of Shuri-te and Naha-te traditions. The name "Shitō" combines characters from his primary teachers' names: "Shi" from Itosu and "To" from Higaonna. Initially called Hanko-ryū ("Half-Hard Style"), the name was changed to Shitō-ryū to honor his mentors.
Mabuni was instrumental in systematizing karate training and kata. He authored several books and developed a comprehensive kata syllabus, including the creation of the Shinpa kata, designed for women's self-defense. His efforts to codify and teach karate contributed significantly to its spread beyond Okinawa. Mabuni's legacy continues through his sons, Kenzo and Kenei, who succeeded him as Sōke (headmasters) of Shitō-ryū.
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that just because a kata begins to the left that the opponent is attacking from the left.
Karate-Do is a lifetime study
A kata is not fixed or immoveable. Like water, it's ever changing and fits itself to the shape of the vessel containing it. However, kata are not some kind of beautiful competitive dance, but a grand martial art of self-defense - which determines life and death.