shito ryu karate in a historical context

8/12/2019 Shito Ryu Karate in a Historical Context

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Shito Ryu Karate in a historical context

by Guy Buyens

Introduction

Karate() is a Japanese (originally from Okinawa) martial art that developed from a

synthesis of indigenous Okinawan fighting methods and Chinese kenpo.

Currently, Okinawa Prefectureis Japan's southernmost prefecture, and consists ofhundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 km long. Okinawa's capital, Naha, islocated in the southern part of the largest and most populous island, Okinawa Island

The islands that now make up Okinawa Prefecture were originally not part of Japan, but partof an independent nation called the Ryukyu Kingdom.


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In 1372, formal trade relationships were established between the Ryukyu Islands and theFujian Province of China. Chinese families moved to Okinawa, where they began to shareChineseKenpo with the native Okinawans.

In Okinawa, Tode (Karate) underwent significant developments based on several factors,including the policy of banning weapons following the political centralization of King Shoshin(1477-1526) and the invasion of Ryukyu (1609) by the Satsuma clan, who controlled theregion that is now Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan.

Following this invasion, the Ryky Kingdom wasforced to enter into a tributary relationship withSatsuma in addition to their previous tributaryrelationship with China. Ryukyuan sovereignty,however, was maintained.

The Satsuma Samurai who had occupied Okinawa

from 1609 practised Jigen Ryu(kenjutsu style)which can be traced to Marume's Taisha Shin KageRyu. Although inhabitants of Okinawa were notallowed to use swords, influences of Jigen-ryu canbe observed throughout the development of Karate.Especially on those inhabitants from Shuri whopractised Shuri-te but who were exposed to life around the castle, located in Shuri.

Characteristics of Jigen-ryu:

Jigen-ryu fencers prefer attacks and are ready to destroy the enemy in any

moment Jigen-ryu fencers attach importance to train speed and power, natural fast foot

steps. Their goal is "One slash, One kill" and "Unyou no Tachi lightning slash)" Jigen-ryu fencers use a target, a (makiwara) made of sticks to build up

strength and technique. In Edo period, the students of Jigen Ryu had to hit it3000 - 8000 times in a day

The emblem of the Satsuma Clan was a circle with a cross

Probably one of the few Okinawainhabitants, master in Tode, to havebeen allowed to become skilled inJigen-ryu kenjutsu in those days, was

Matsumura(1797-1899), a scholarand skilled calligrapher whose literaryknowledge enabled him to becomean official in the Ryukyu government.

Matsumuras link with the greatpalace of Shuri is well known and it issaid that he served as bodyguard tothree Okinawan kings (Shoko, Shoikuand Shotai). This appointmentallowed him to make several trips toboth China (where he studied

Chinese chuan fa) and Satsuma inJapan.
http://martialarts.about.com/od/styles/a/kenpo.htmhttp://martialarts.about.com/od/styles/a/kenpo.htm


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Over the years, karate would mature in 3 locations: Shuri, Tomari and Naha. However theselocations were only a few miles apart (today all part of the city of Naha, the capital ofOkinawa) and therefore numerous exchanges between their masters existed.

During the 19th century, the 3 major styles of Okinawan martial arts were:

Shuri-te: Shuri was the old capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the location ofthe palace. The martial art was deeply influenced by North Chinese Kung-fu

Tomari-te: Tomari was a city of fishers. It also had its masters but they didn'tparticipate in the modernization of Karate, perhaps because they were simplepeople.

Naha-te: Naha had many naturalized citizens from China, and wasprosperous as a trading port. Naha-te is closely linked to South ChineseKung-fu


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The history of Karate: The old masters

Kung-fu and Karate history are generally traced back to TaishiBodhidharma Daruma (470-543 AD), founder of ZenBuddhism in Western India

Daruma is said to have introduced Buddhism into China.However, his spiritual and physical teaching methods were toodemanding for his students In order to provide them with greaterstrength and endurance, he developed a training system, whichhe recorded in the Ekkin-Kyo (Some call it the first karate bookin history).

The physical training, based on Daruma's philosophical principles, was taught in China, inthe Shaolin Templestarting from the year 500 A.D. Shaolin (Shorin) kung-fu, from northernChina, was characterized by rapid, and dynamic movements.

From China, Shaolin kung-fu found its way to Okinawa, where local martial arts were already

flourishing.

A master, calledTAKAHARA Peichin(1683-1760) is often referred to as "father of OkinawaKarate (although the term KARATE was introduced much later). Takahara was born inSouthern Shuri to an upper class family of Okinawan society (the term "Peichin" stands for"senior). An educated person, experienced in astronomy, who traveled a lot during hislifetime and who contributed to the mapping of Okinawa, Takahara was well known as agreat fighter but he also emphasized on ethical principals like:

o "Ijo: compassion, humility and modestyo "Fo: seriousness, devotion and dedication

o "Katsu: deep understanding and essence of techniques

A certain Kushanku(KOSHOKUN) influenced Okinawan Martial Arts very significantly.Kushanku, a Chinese military envoy from Ming dynasty period, sent to Okinawa in 1756, wasa well known Kempo expert (Shaulin Quan-Fa).

Kushanku is believed to have taught a lot of Martial Art people in Okinawa, among themprobably Chatan Yaraand Sakugawa Kanga, a student of Takahara.


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Sakugawa Kanga(1733-1851) was the first to be associated with theterm TODE (Chinese hand) and therefore his is known as TodeSakugawa.His first teacher was Takahara but later Sakugawa continued to studywith Kushanku (with the authorisation of his teacher).

These days, probably two fighting streams were existed in Okinawa: thelocal TE (hand) and the TODE (Chinese hand). It is believed thatSakugawa was the one who contributed most in the integration of thetwo systems.

Also in that period, the system must have been influenced by master Yara (1868-1756) fromChatan, a well skilled inhabitant from Chinese origin who also studied under Kushanku.

In the next generation, there must have been several great martial artists but the mostfamous is certainly "Bushi" Matsumura.

After his teacher Sakugawa passed away he was adopted by the Royalfamily (Sho family) and was authorized to study in the famous Shaolintemple in China. Matsumura served as a personal guard of King Shoko,King Shoku and King Shotai and in his function he came across severalmartial artists who influenced his art As already mentioned in theintroduction, he was also one of the only inhabitants of Okinawa, whowas authorized to study Jigen Ryu swords fighting with the Satsumo clan,who at that time had taken over formal control over Okinawa. Matsumurais the first to systemize "Shuri-Te", which would later also be called"Shorin Ryu".

While Shuri-te was becoming a well established system a lot of activity was going on in thevillage Tomari. Tomariwas a place in the border of Naha area and was a sort of trade wayto Shuri.

The most famous master from Tomari area were Kosaku Matsumora and KokanOyadomari. They were students from the masters Kishin Teruya (1804-1864) and Giko Uku

(1800-1850).


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Matsumora(and Oyadomari) also learn from several Chinese masters, including a refugeefrom Annan, hosted in Tomari.

Meanwhile, in Naha, the neighboring port, excellent masters like Aragakiwhere setting thebasis for what would later become Naha-te.

Anko Itosu(1831-1951) is often mentioned as the father of modern karate.Itosu, a Shuri-temaster, studied under Sokon Matsumura and becamefamous because he was instrumental in getting karate introduced into

Okinawa's schools. Itosu developed the systematic method of teaching thatis still in practice today. He created and introduced the Pinan forms ("Heian"in Japanese) because he felt the other forms were too difficult for schoolchildren to learn. Among his students where KenwaMabuni(later to createShito-ryu), ChosinChibana(founder of Shorin-ryu) and GichinFunakoshi.

Other important Shuri-te masters where AnkoAsato(known as the first teacher ofFunakoshi), Ishimineand Chotoku Kyan.

In the meantime also Tomari-te and certainly Naha-te evolved. The latter mainly because ofthe influence of a certain Higaonna.


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Higaonna Kanryo(1853-1918) was born in the city of Naha in 1853. Already

a skilled martial artist, he travelled to China in 1868, where he studied formore than ten years. He returned to Okinawa in 1881 and is considered thetrue founder of Naha-te.

His most important student was Chojun Miyagi(188-1953). Miyagi, alsointroduced his friend Mabuni(himself a student of Itosu) to Higaonna andboth men trained a lot together.

After the death of his master, Miyagi also travelled to Fujian Province (China). In 1929 hecreated the system called Goju-ryu(meaning "hard soft style"), which apart from the originalnaha-te also had influences from Shaolin (described as a hard linear/external form) and PaKua (soft circular/internal form), two forms of Chinese boxing that he also studied in China.


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The history of Karate: from Okinawa to mainland Japan

Although Karate originated from Okinawa (based on Chinese arts, influenced by localtechniques), most influential teachers of the island would migrate to mainland Japan whereKarate continued to develop Into its existing form.

Funakoshi was the first to introduce karate in Japan. Later, others like. Kenwa Mabuni,Chojun Miyagi and Motobu Choki would follow.

Gichin Funakoshi(SHOTOKAN) formally introduced karate to the Japanesemainland in 1921. He built the first Shotokan dojo in Tokyo In 1936. Shotokan isnamed after Gichin Funakoshi's pen name, Shoto, which means pine waves orwind in the pines.

Kenwa Mabuni(SHITO RYU) moved permanently to Osaka in 1928. The name

of his dojo in Japan, was Yoshinkan (), House for Cultivating the Spirit.

Among his students were his two sons, Kenei Mabuni and Kenzo Mabuni, Chojiro

Tani (founder of Tani-ha SHUKOKAI), Ryusho Sakagami (continued Itosu-ha),Abe Hachiro (Abe ha Shito-ryu), Yoshiaki Tsujikawa, Ken Sakio, Jun-ichi Inoueand Manzo Iwata.

Chojun Miyagi(GOJU RYU) worked hard to spread karate throughout Okinawa

and mainland Japan. He travelled frequently to mainland Japan and was invited toteach karate at Kyoto University, Kansai University and Ritsumei Kan University.

Motobu Choki (MOTOBU RYU) was probably the strongest Okinawa master of

that time. His style is continued by his son, Chosei Motobu, who is also the 14thsoke of Motobu Udun Ti (particular imperial style of the Motobu family, from whichhis uncle was a grandmaster but his father not).

Until 1935, "karate" was written as "" (Chinese hand, pronounced Tode in Okinawa

dialect). In 1935, and for political reasons, the masters of Okinawa karate decided to call

their art "Karate" written in Japanese characters as "" (empty hand).


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Funakoshi, who was teaching Karate in University circles, didnt like participation intournaments. It would not take long before mainland Japanese students redirected the art aspracticed by the Okinawa teachers into something that would suit them better.

Hironori Ohtsuka(WADO RYU) studied Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu before he became astudent of Gichin Funakoshi but also took advice from teachers like Mabuni. Ohtsuka Senseibelieved that kata techniques as such did not work in realistic fighting situations so he startedto develop Kumite training and later he even decided to leave Funakoshi Sensei toconcentrate on developing a more dynamic and fluid type of Karate.

In the 1950s, the first tournaments were organized in Japan. The rest of the world wouldfollow.

In 1963, the Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organizations or FAJKO (the original name ofthe national organization for Karate in Japan, later Japan Karate Federation) was created.Apart from Shotokan(created by Funakoshi), Shito-ryu (created by Mabuni) and Goju-ryu(created by Miyagi), the FAJKO also recognized Wado-ryu(created by Otsuka).

Somewhat different from most other Karate styles, but certainly worth mentioning isKyokushinkai. This kind of full contactkarate style was founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, Masutatsu Oyama. Oyama initially studied Karate underGichinFunakoshi but later he studied Goju-ryu (obtaining 8thdan). He also trained in Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu and judo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gichin_Funakoshihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gichin_Funakoshihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gichin_Funakoshihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gichin_Funakoshi


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The history of Karate: later developments in Okinawa

Although many important teachers moved to mainland Japan, the development of Karate inOkinawa also continued. Modern-day Okinawan karate has several styles or schools.

The most important school in Okinawa today is certainly Shorin-ryu, a school that originatedfrom the Shuri-te legacy that was left behind by Anko Itosu.

Itosu's students includedGichin Funakoshi,Kentsu Yabu,Chomo Hanashiro, KenyuKudeken,Chotoku Kyan,Choki Motobu,Choren Yamakawa, Moden Yabiku,ChoshinChibana,Anbun Tokuda, Choujyo Oshiro,Kanken Toyama,Kenwa Mabuni,ShinpanGusukuma (Shiroma)

Although Itosu already used the name "Shorin-style" to refer to the Shaolin style ofChinese boxing that was at the origin of his karate, the first person to use Shorin-ryuspecifically as the name of a style was his student Choshin Chibana. Later otherswould also use this name, hence a certain diversity on the island regarding this

school (or group of schools).

Chibana's style is also referred to as Kobayashi Shorin-ryu and is the origin of themajor streams of Shorin-ryu in modern day Okinawa.From this came the Shido-kan branch (not to be confused with mainland Shidokan),based upon the name of the dojo of Katsuya Miyahira (one of the most seniorstudents of Chibana). Another of Chibana's students, Shugoro Nakazato, createdShorinkan Shorin-ryu and Higa Yuchoku (who also had trained with Chojun Miyagi)started his Shorin-ryu Kyudokan school.

Another Shuri-te development can be found in Shorinji-ryu, established by Jyoen Nakazato,who studied under Chotoku Kyan, himself a student of Sokon Matsumura..

Jyoen Nakazato, named his school 'Shorinji-ryu', with the idea of remaining close tothe original art of Matsumura in contrast to other schools where kata have beenchanging in the course of time.

Also Naha-te and its derived school, Goju-ryu, continued to be developed in Okinawa.

The founder of Goju-ryu, Chojun Miyagi, had both student on mainland Japan (GogenYamaguchi) and in Okinawa (Seko Higa, Miyazato Ei'ichi, Meitoku Yagi, SeikichiToguchi, Shuichi Aragaki).Okinawa Goju-ryu has become popular due to the efforts of The InternationalOkinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF), established by Morio Higaonna

Sensei. The IOGKF is a member of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (Japan TraditionalMartial Arts Association).

Although the influence on Shuri-te masters is recognized, little has been preserved from thefamous Tomari-te school, as thought by master Kosaku Matsumora. His student Kotatsu Ihadid pass his knowledge to Seiyu Nakasano who opened a dojo to try and preserveMatsumora-ha karate.

Nakasanos student, Iken Tokashiki founded the Gohaku-kai, an association basedon both Goju-ryu and Tomari style.

Shoshin Nagamine, student of Chotoku Kyan (Shuri-te) and Choki Motobu (Tomari-te andShuri-te), created Matsubayashi-ryu.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gichin_Funakoshihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentsu_Yabuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chotoku_Kyanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choki_Motobuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dshin_Chibanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dshin_Chibanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanken_Toyamahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenwa_Mabunihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinpan_Gusukumahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinpan_Gusukumahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinpan_Gusukumahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinpan_Gusukumahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenwa_Mabunihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanken_Toyamahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dshin_Chibanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dshin_Chibanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choki_Motobuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chotoku_Kyanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentsu_Yabuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gichin_Funakoshi


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The name Matsubayashi-ryu, uses the Chinese character matsu (pine), to honor bothSokon Matsumura (Shuri-te) and Kosaku Matsumora (Tomari-te). AlthoughMatsubayashi-Ryu is sometimes also referred to as a Shorin-Ryu, it should not beconfused with the schools that originated from Choshin Chibana and his students.

Uechi-ryuis another traditional style ofkarate

The founder,Kanbun Uechi went toFuzhou inFukien Province,China at the end ofthe 19th century and returnedto Okinawa in the early 20th century. Although he wouldlater move to Wakayama and would call his style Pangainun-ryu (half-hard half-soft)Todi-jutsu, his students in Okinawa later renamed his system Uechi-ryu.

Ryuei Ryu, another typical Okinawa development, remains a relatively unknown school ofChinese origin.

The system was created in the 19th century by Kenri Nakaima who was allowed tobecome a disciple of the Chinese Master Ru Ru Ko ( at the time was the lead

instructor at the Military Academy in Beijing). Ryuei Ryu was originally a family styleof theNakaima family ofNaha and became only recently one of the internationallyknown Okinawan karate styles. The relatively unknown schoolteacher, TsuguoSakumoto, has been one of the first fortunate people to study this mysterious Karatestyle but he subsequently became famous through his brilliant performances of thekata Anan (winning the World Karate Championships several times). However, thekata had to be adopted (and modified) under Teruo Hayashi (Hayashi-ha Shito-ryu) inorder to be accepted in competition (Ryuei Ryu not being a recognized style).

In respect to the development of Shito-ryu, it is worth mentioning Shinpan Gusukuma(alsocalled Shiroma).

Shinpan Gusukuma was, like Chibana Choshin, a student of Itosu , known to be closewith his other fellow student of Itosu, Kenwa Mabuni, with whom he also trained underHigaonna (Kanryu) in Naha-te. As known, Mabuni would later create Shito-ryu andmove to mainland Japan, but Shinpan Gusukuma remained on the island andestablished an organization called the Shinpan Shiroma Shito-ryu PreservationSociety. Nevertheless some people will consider him to be a student of Itosu, whostarted to teach Shorin-ryu in Okinawa, after WWII.

That some students of Mabuni (like his student Ryusho Sakagami, later to becomesuccessor of Itosu-ryu) and Shinpan Gusukuma (like his student Yoshio Nakamura,author of the book Shuri Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do) are considered as representatives ofShuri-te styles is not surprising since the original Shito-ryu is sometimes considered

to be a Shuri-te school that incorporated a lot of Naha-te techniques, rather than atrue hybrid school. Of course some contemporary members of Shito-ryu would notagree with this view.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanbun_Uechihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzhouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nakaima_family&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nakaima_family&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzhouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanbun_Uechihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate


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Karates lineage:

Origin of some of the major karate styles and their relationship to Shito-Ryu

Karate today

Karate is organised in style organizations, themost important being: Shotokan, Goju-ryu,Shito-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shorin-ryu, Uechi-ryu

and Kyokushinkai.

There are also non-style specific sport karateorganizations or federations. TheWorld KarateFederation (WKF) is the largest sport karateorganization and is recognized by theInternational Olympic Committee (IOC),however Karate doesnt have the Olympicstatus. The WKF has common rules governing all styles, allowing non-style specific sportkarate tournaments.

Currently there are 2 tendencies in Karate, one a more sports oriented approach (less styleinfluenced) to Karate, the other a more traditional revival of the older forms within the distinctschools.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Karate_Federationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Karate_Federationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Olympic_Committeehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Olympic_Committeehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Karate_Federationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Karate_Federation


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Kenwa Mabuni

KENWA MABUNI (1889-1954) was a student of Anko

Itosu.

In 1909, encouraged by master Itosu to furtherexpand his knowledge of the martial arts, and on theadvice of his best friend Chojun Miyagi, KenwaMabuni, began taking lessons from master KanryoHigashionna (Higaonna) of Naha, until the greatmaster's death in 1915.

During this period, Kenwa Mabuni was also receivinginstruction from master Seisho Aragaki of Naha, whotaught a similar style to master Higaonna.

Master Aragaki was an accomplished Kobujutsuteacher and taught Kenwa Mabuni BO and SAItechniques.

More-over, Mabini Kenwa was also influenced by a Fukien, 'White-Crane-Fist' master namedWU XIAN GUI (pronounced GO KENKI in Japanese).

In 1929, Mabuni moved to Osaka (mainland Japan), and became a full-time karate teacher.He originally called his style Hanko-ryu (half-hard style) but later renamed it in Shito-ryu.

Kenwa Mabuni died in 1952, he had several students including Sakagami, but the family linewas succeeded by his sons Kenei (1918- ) and Kenzo (1927-2005).

Mabuni Kenwa can also be considered as the successor of Itosu, and his art can be referredto as Itosu-ha Shito Ryu. The Itosu-ha lineage has been passed to his student RyushoSakagami (1915-1993), who became the 3rd soke of Itosu-ha. Later he would rename hisstyle and call it Itosu Ryu.


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Mabuni Sensei: the words of the master:


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Shito-Ryu: from father to son

Shito-ryu is the Karate style created by Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1954).

Kenwa Mabuni () who studied Karate with Anko Yasutsune Itosu () andlater Kanryo Higashionna (), named his style of karate, Shito-Ryu, the Shito()style, taking the first characters of each of his teacher's names:

(SHI): another Japanese readings for the first character of Master Itosusname

(TO): another Japanese readings for the first character of Master

Higashionna's name

(RYU): school

The SHITO RYU emblem is the emblem that has been the Mabuni family crest for manycenturies:

The circle can be interpreted as symbolizing peace and harmony (Wa),while the two inner vertical lines and two horizontal lines represent theJapanese caligraphy for the word 'person' or 'people'.

The emblem therefore symbolizes 'people working in peace andharmony'.

Kenwa Mabuni eldest son is Kenei Mabuni.

First born of 3 children of Master Mabuni Kenwa, on February 13, 1918 in Shuri Okinawa,Kenei Mabuni started karate at an early age and received personal instruction from his fatherthroughout his childhood. Shortly after Mabuni Kenwa's sudden death from a heart attack onMay 23, 1952, Mabuni Kenei succeeded his father as the Second 2nd designatedGrandmaster (soke) of Shito Ryu.


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In October 1996, Mabuni Kenei opened the private dojo in Guy Buyens house:


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The following addenda are included:

I. About the author

II. A list of kata of Shito Ryu

III. A progress table for kata and the principle of Yo Riu Bi

IV. Rules of the dojoand the fist of a wise man by Mabuni

V. About defense and directions

The five rules of defense

o Rakka ()

o Ryusui ()

o Kuushin ()

o Teni ()

o Hangeki ()

The 8 directions of movement (tenshin happo)

VI. The 5 practices, 5 learnings

VII. Rules of the dojoand the fist of a wise man

VIII. More wisdom from Mabuni:

The 3 weaknesses of martial disciplines

5 way spirit


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Addendum I : About the author

Guy Buyensbegan training in karate in 1971 at

the age of ten. In his youth, he was active inkumite and kata competitions as a member of theBelgian National Team (he was selected tocompete at the European Championships inParis in 1984).

At the age of 17 he met Nakahashi Senseiandfrom then on he would concentrate on Shito-ryu.

After finishing medical school and working forsome time at the University of Brussels (exercisephysiology and sports medicine), he took a one-year sabbatical in 1989 and went to Japanspecifically to further his studies in Shito-ryukarate with Mabuni Sensei and to start studyingHontai Yoshin Ryu, a Japanese classical martialart.

Although he now lives with his family in Belgium,Guy regularly travels to Japan to study. Heparticipated in several demonstrations,including the 30 and 32 Zen Nippon KobudoEmbu, organized by the Nippon Budokan and

Nihon Kobudo Kyokai.

Guy has been mentioned in several articlespublished in Budo, the official magazine of theNihon Budokan (in Japanese). For their April2006 issue he wrote an article reflecting on hisparticipation in the 16th Isukushima Enbu Takaiin Miyajima. Guy has been writing several articlesfor kory.com.

Although Guy certainly had some interest inOkninawa Kobudo, it is his friend Alain

Berckmans (now heading the Karate dojo inBrussels) who invested considerable time withMashiro Nakamoto in Okinawa to study thisaspect in detail.

Guys son, Nick is a karate student of Alain sinceGuy himself is mainly devoting his time to HontaiYoshin Ryu (Guy is heading the Belgian Branch).

Guys current rank in Shito Ryu is 6th dan.


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Addendum II : The kata from Shito Ryu

Mabuni Kenwa considered Kata as the most important part of Karate. Nevertheless he alsorecognized the need to practice parts of these kata in kumite situations, often refered to as bunkai.

Shito-ryu is probably the Karate style with most kata. Mabuni studied as much as possible the existing

kata on the Island. Here are the most important ones:

Kata associated withSakugawa(1733-1851):

Kosokun

Kata associated withsokon Matsumura(1797-1899):

Bassai

Seisan

Chinto

Channan Kosokun

Chinsu

Naihanchi

Gojushiho

Kata associated withAnkoItosu (1831-1951):

Heian (Pinan) 1-5

Naihanchi(Tekki) 1 - 3

Rohai (Itosu no Rohai)

Itosu-Wanshu (Empi)

Jion Jitte

Ji'in

Bassai Dai

Bassai Sho

Kosokun Dai

Kosokun Sho

Shihokosokun

Chintei

Gojushiho

Chinto

Kata associated withKosaku Matsumora(1829-1928):

Jion

Jitte

Ji'in

Matsumora no Rohai

Tomari Bassai

Wanshu

Chinto

Kata associated withAragaki (1840-1918):

Niseishi

Sochin

Unsu

Kata associated withKanryuHigaonna (1853-1915)

Sanshin

Saifa

Seiyunchin

Shisochin

Sanseiru

Sepai

Sesan

Kururunfa Suparinpei

Kata associated withChojuin Miyagi (1888-1953):

Gekisai dai ichi

Gekisai dai ni

Tensho

Kata associated withWu Xian Gui (Go Ken Ki):

Nipaipo

Hakucho Paipuren

Hakutsuru

In addition to these kata, Mabuni createdsome kata of his own:

Shinsei

Juroku

Shimpa

Aoyagi

Myojo

Not all kata have been included (missing kata:Chinsei, Tomari no Bassai, Ishimine no bassai,Haffa,) but are also trained within the system.


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Addendum III: Progress table (kata from Shito Ryu)


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Addendum IV: Rules of the dojo and the fist of a wise man by Mabuni


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Addendum V: About defense and directions

The five rules of defense:

The 8 directions of movement (tenshin happo)


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Addendum VI: The 5 practices, 5 learnings


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Addendum VII: Rules of the dojo and the fist of a wise manby Mabuni


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Addendum VIII: More wisdom

shito ryu karate in a historical context

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