Shito ryu
Encyclopedia
is a form of karate
that was founded in 1931 by .
One of his close friends, (co-founder of Gojū-ryū Karate) introduced Mabuni to another great of that period, . Mabuni began to learn 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. Shitō-ryū focuses on both hard and soft techniques to this day.
Although he remained true to the teachings of these two great masters, Mabuni sought instruction from a number of other teachers, including Seishō Arakaki
, Tawada Shimboku, Sueyoshi Jino and Wu Xianhui (a Chinese
master known as Go-Kenki). 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. There is even some evidence that his expertise was sought out in China, as well as Okinawa and mainland Japan
. 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.
In an effort to popularize karate in mainland Japan, Mabuni made several trips to Tokyo
in 1917 and 1928. Although much that was known as "Te" (Chinese Fist; lit. simply "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.
By 1929, Mabuni had moved to Osaka
on the mainland, to become a full-time karate instructor of a style he originally called Hanko-ryū, or "half-hard style". The name of the style changed to Shitō-ryū, in honor of its main influences. Mabuni derived the name for his new style from the first kanji
character in their names, Itosu and Higaonna. With the support of Ryusho Sakagami (1915–1993), he opened a number of Shitō-ryū dojo
in the Osaka area, including one at Kansai University
and the Japan Karatedō-kai dojo. To this day, the largest contingent of Shitō-ryū practitioners in Japan is centered in the Osaka area.
Mabuni published a number of books on the subject and continued to systematize the 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. Perhaps more than any other master in the last century, Mabuni was steeped in the traditions and history of Karate-dō, yet forward thinking enough to realize that it could spread throughout the world. 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.
Kenwa Mabuni died on May 23, 1952, and the lineage of the style was disputed between his two sons, Kenzō and Kenei. Currently, the Shitō-ryū International Karate-dō Kai (also known as Seito Shitō-ryū) lists Kenzō Mabuni as the second Sōke
of Shitō-ryū, while the World Shitō-ryū Karate-dō Federation (also known as Shitō-kai Shitō-ryū) lists Kenei Mabuni.
Major existing branches of Shitō-ryū include:
and Shotokan
(松涛館), on the other hand Shitō-ryū has circular and eight-directional movements, breathing power, hard and soft characteristics of Naha-te and Tomari-te (泊手) styles, such as 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) :
Modern Shitō-ryū styles also place a strong emphasis on sparring. Shitō-ryū stresses speed, and fighting is generally initiated from a higher, more upright stance than Shotokan employs. On the other hand, because the style has so many kata, a great deal of time is spent perfecting any one of its 40 to 60 forms.
Seiza - Sensei sits (formal sitting position), the class sits in seiza facing shomen and prepares for class. Head student (sempai) calls out:
Mokuso! This means "Close your eyes and Clear your mind!" After about a minute, the sempai student calls out:
Kaimoku! This means: "Open your eyes!" or Mokuso Yame! This means “Finish meditation”
Zarei - Next the class performs three zarei or sitting bows. The head student calls out:
Shomen ni rei! This means "Bow to the front of the dojo." After the class finishes this bow, the Sensei will turn around and face the class and the head student will call out:
Sensei ni rei! - This means "Bow to the Teacher!" As the class bows to the teacher, the teacher will return the bow. As each student bows, they recite "Onegaishimasu" which means "Please (teach me!)"
Otagai ni rei! - This means "Bow to each other!" Both the teacher and the students will bow to each other at the same time. This is to acknowledge that we are all students of the art of Karate Do.
At this point the Sensei will indicate that the class should stand up and practice will begin.
Basic Katas
1st Dan
2nd Dan
3rd Dan
4th Dan
5th Dan
6th Dan
.
Hitotsu - Giryo (One - Doubt or Skepticism)
Hitotsu - Ketai (One - Negligence)
Hitotsu - Manshin (One - Egotism)
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
that was founded in 1931 by .
History
Kenwa Mabuni (Mabuni Kenwa 摩文仁 賢和) was born in Shuri, a district of Naha, Okinawa in 1889. Mabuni was a 17th generation descendant of the famous warrior Oni Ufugusuku Kenyu. Perhaps because of his weak constitution, he began his instruction in his home town in the art of at the age of 13, under the tutelage of the legendary (1813–1915). He trained diligently for several years, learning many kata from this great master. It was Itosu who first developed the Pinan kata, which were most probably derived from the "Kusanku" form.One of his close friends, (co-founder of Gojū-ryū Karate) introduced Mabuni to another great of that period, . Mabuni began to learn 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
Naihanchi
is a karate Kata, performed in straddle stance . It translates to 'internal divided conflict'. The form makes use of in-fighting techniques and grappling. In Shorin-Ryu and Matsubayashi-Ryu Naihanchi Shodan is the first Ni Kyu although it is taught to Yon Kyu occasionally before Evaluations for...
and Bassai
Passai
Passai is the Japanese name of a group of kata practiced in different styles of martial arts, including karate and various Korean martial arts . There are several variations of these kata, including Passai sho and Passai dai . In karate, the kata are known as Passai in Okinawan styles and Bassai...
kata; the Higaonna syllabus stressed circular motion and shorter fighting methods as seen in the kata Seipai and Kururunfa. Shitō-ryū focuses on both hard and soft techniques to this day.
Although he remained true to the teachings of these two great masters, Mabuni sought instruction from a number of other teachers, including Seishō Arakaki
Seisho Arakaki
was a prominent Okinawan martial arts master who influenced the development of several major karate styles. He was known by many other names, including Aragaki Tsuji Pechin Seisho.-Life and martial arts:...
, Tawada Shimboku, Sueyoshi Jino and Wu Xianhui (a Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
master known as Go-Kenki). In fact, Mabuni was legendary for his encyclopaedic knowledge of kata and their bunkai
Bunkai
, literally meaning "analysis" or "disassembly", is a term used in Japanese martial arts referring to the application of fighting techniques extracted from the moves of a "form" ....
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. There is even some evidence that his expertise was sought out in China, as well as Okinawa and mainland Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. 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.
In an effort to popularize karate in mainland Japan, Mabuni made several trips to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in 1917 and 1928. Although much that was known as "Te" (Chinese Fist; lit. simply "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
Gichin Funakoshi
was the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is attributed as being the 'father of modern karate.' Following the teachings of Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921...
(founder of Shotokan
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
), another contemporary, had moved to Tokyo in the 1920s to promote his art on the mainland as well.
By 1929, Mabuni had moved to Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
on the mainland, to become a full-time karate instructor of a style he originally called Hanko-ryū, or "half-hard style". The name of the style changed to Shitō-ryū, in honor of its main influences. Mabuni derived the name for his new style from the first kanji
Kanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
character in their names, Itosu and Higaonna. With the support of Ryusho Sakagami (1915–1993), he opened a number of Shitō-ryū dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
in the Osaka area, including one at Kansai University
Kansai University
, or , is a private non-sectarian and coeducational university located in Suita, Osaka, Japan and in two other locations: Osaka City; and Takatsuki, Osaka.-History:Kansai University was founded as Kansai Law School in November 1886, in Osaka...
and the Japan Karatedō-kai dojo. To this day, the largest contingent of Shitō-ryū practitioners in Japan is centered in the Osaka area.
Mabuni published a number of books on the subject and continued to systematize the 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. Perhaps more than any other master in the last century, Mabuni was steeped in the traditions and history of Karate-dō, yet forward thinking enough to realize that it could spread throughout the world. 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.
Kenwa Mabuni died on May 23, 1952, and the lineage of the style was disputed between his two sons, Kenzō and Kenei. Currently, the Shitō-ryū International Karate-dō Kai (also known as Seito Shitō-ryū) lists Kenzō Mabuni as the second Sōke
Soke
The word soke has several meanings:* Soke , an early Western jurisdictional concept.* Soke or eke is a Tongan stick dance, originating from Wallis and Futuna., a Japanese title meaning "head of the family," and is usually used to denote the headmaster of a school of Japanese martial arts.* Soke of...
of Shitō-ryū, while the World Shitō-ryū Karate-dō Federation (also known as Shitō-kai Shitō-ryū) lists Kenei Mabuni.
Branches
Other schools of Shitō-ryū developed after the death of Kenwa Mabuni, both because the death of a founder typically results in a dispute as to who will succeed him as the leader of a given school and because many prominent Karate teachers choose to modify the style, thereby creating new branches.Major existing branches of Shitō-ryū include:
- Shitō-kai (糸東会): One of the two branches claiming direct lineage of Shitō-ryū: In 1960 Mabuni's student Manzo Iwata founded Japan Karate-dō Kai Eastern in Tokyo and Mabuni's son Kenei Mabuni founded Japan Karate-dō Kai Western in OsakaOsakais a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
. These two branches were reunited in 1964, establishing All Japan Karate-dō Federation Shitō-Kai, which, after the death of Manzo Iwata in 1993, became known as World Shitō-ryū Karate-dō Federation. It was led by president Ken Sakio (a student of Chōki Motobu and Mabuni Kenwa) from 1993 to 2004, and is currently led by president Tokio Hisatomi, a student of Mabuni Kenwa Recently, Kenei Mabuni founded a private organization, International Dento (Traditional) Shitō-ryū, which is separate to the WSKF. This organization can only be joined by direct invitation. The President is Master Nakahashi 9th Dan (France). - Seitō Shitō-ryū: Seitō, or "True" Shitō-ryū is the style promoted by Shitō-ryū International Karate-dō Kai and is other of the two branches claiming direct lineage from Kenwa Mabuni. It was founded by his son Kenzo Mabuni and, since his death in 2005, belongs to Kenzo's daughter, Tsukasa Mabuni. Kenzo Mabuni was an honorary life member of the Japan Karate Federation, holding the honorary rank of 10th Dan. Honorary ranks awarded by Japan Karate Federation should not be confused with true ranks, as true ranks of 10th Dan are rarely, if ever, awarded and Honorary Ranks are given out in large numbers, mostly to esteem members of Japanese society who are not involved with martial arts. In the 1990s, several renowned international Shitoryu masters affiliated themselves to Kenzo Mabuni, including Minobu Miki, who joined immediately after he left Hayashi-ha, and Chuzo Kotaka, though both only stayed affiliated with Seitō Shitō-ryū for a very short time. Kenzo's traditional funeral was attended by karate masters from around Japan and the world, including his older brother Kenei Mabuni, which is common when a son of a legend dies. * Seishin-kaiSeishinkaiSeishinkai is an international organization for the promotion and teaching of Shitō-ryū Karate. It is now also considered a sub-style of Shitō-ryū. Seishinkai is also an international shotokan karate organization based in the UK....
(聖心会): Founded by Kōsei Kokuba, student of Mabuni Kenwa and Chōki Motobu in 1943 in Osaka, Japan. This school originally represented Motobu-ha Shitō-ryū, but no longer claims this lineage. - Kuniba-kai: Shōgō KunibaShogo kunibaaka Sōke Kuniba was a Japanese teacher of karate.His adoptive father was Kōsei Kokuba , who began training him at five years old...
, third sōkeSokeThe word soke has several meanings:* Soke , an early Western jurisdictional concept.* Soke or eke is a Tongan stick dance, originating from Wallis and Futuna., a Japanese title meaning "head of the family," and is usually used to denote the headmaster of a school of Japanese martial arts.* Soke of...
of Seishinkai and the son of Kōsei Kokuba, moved to Portsmouth VAPortsmouth, VirginiaPortsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
in 1983. His American dojo was separated from Seishinkai after his death in 1992 and became known as Kuniba-kai. This branch, now led by Shōgō's son Kōzō Kuniba, currently represents the Motobu-ha style of Shito-ryu. - Japan Karatedō Hayashi-ha Shitōryūkai (日本空手道林派糸東流会): Founded in 1970 by Teruo Hayashi, student of Kenwa Mabuni and Kōsei Kokuba. Hayashi led Seishinkai before founding Japan Karatedō Hayashi-ha Shitōryūkai. Hayashi-ha Shitōryū combines many Ryūei-ryūRyuei-ryuis an Okinawan style of karate. It was originally a family style of the Nakaima family of Naha and is now one of the internationally recognized Okinawan karate styles. It is practiced in the United States, Argentina, Venezuela, Europe, and Okinawa.- History :...
techniques that Hayashi Soke learned while studying in Okinawa. This is what makes Hayashi-ha Shitōryū unique. Students of Japan Karatedō Hayashi-ha Shitōryū include many World Kata and Kumite champions. Japan Karatedō Hayashi-ha Shitōryūkai has many International dojos throughout the world. The European organization for this style is run by Shihan Miguel Fernández Vázquez, Barcelona, Spain. In the USA, Hayashi-ha is run by Shihan Akio MinakamiAkio MinakamiAkio Minakami is an 8th Dan Karate practitioner of Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai, president of the United States Hayashi-ha Shitoryu-Kai, and a former professional martial arts competitor....
in Seattle. Official Website - http://hayashiha.jp Teruo Hayashi, at age 80, died on September 24, 2004 at 8:30 AM in Osaka, Japan. - Japan Karate-dō Inoue-ha Shitō-ryū Keishin-kai (日本空手道井上派糸東流慶心会): Founded in 2004 as a direct descendant of Hayashi-ha Shitō-ryū by Yoshimi Inoue (井上慶身), a top student of Teruo Hayashi, with headquarters in Tottori, Japan and dojos in Venezuela, USA, Sweden, Brazil, and other countries. Inoue is a senior coach of the Japan National Karate Kata Competition team and his students include a number of World Kata champions.
- Itosu-kai(糸洲会): Established on March 1, 1940 as Shito-ryu Karate Sakagami Dojo in Kawanishi CityKawanishi, Hyogois a city located in Hyōgo Prefecture in the northwestern part of the Kansai Region of Japan, about 5 km north of Osaka Itami Airport. It is bordered on the west by Inagawa River.-History:...
, Hyōgo PrefectureHyogo Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
by Mabuni Kenwa's student Ryusho Sakagami (1915–1993). He succeeded to the position of 3rd soke of Itosu-ha (giving tribute to Itosu and Mabuni) on January 2, 1952, and he officially named the organization "Japan Karatedo Itosu-kai" and the style "Itosu-ryu" in 1969. The branch is now run by Ryusho's son Sadaaki Sakagami, 4th soke of Itosu-Ryu. - ShūkōkaiShūkōkaiis a group of closely related styles of Karate, based on Tani-ha Shitō-ryū, a branch of Shitō-ryū developed by Chōjirō Tani in the late 1940s, and refined by his student Shigeru Kimura.-History:...
(修交会): Founded by Chōjirō Tani, student of Mabuni Kenwa, in 1949, this style and its many branches and derivations represents the Tani-ha version of Shitō-ryū. - Sanshin-kan (糸東流三身館空手道) : Taught since 1965 in StockholmStockholmStockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden, by Tamas Weber, a student of Tani, Hayashi, Kuniba, and others. The term "San" (three in Japanese) stands for tradition, spirit, and justice. Tamas Weber has established the style tracking his knowledge and experience of close combat fighting, acquired as a commander in the French Foreign LegionFrench Foreign LegionThe French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
. He is recognized as one of the Europe's premier close combat experts and he has trained Police and Armed Forces in close combat in USA, Canada, France, Turkey, India and Israel. Sanshin-kan organization was established in 1969. - Shiroma Shitō-ryū: Shinpan Shiroma, a student of Itosu and Higaonna, and Mabuni Kenwa's peer, taught Shitō-ryū in Shuri and Nishihara, OkinawaNishihara, Okinawais a town located in Nakagami District, Okinawa, Japan.As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 34,869 and a density of 2,201 persons per km²...
, from World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
until his death in 1954, thereby creating the only known Okinawan branch of Shitō-ryū. His student, Horoku Ishikawa, continues his lineage. - Kotaka-ha Shitō-ryū: Founded in 1966 by Chuzo Kotaka, a member of Seishinkai, in Hawaii.
- Shito-ryu Karate-do Genbu-kai: Founded in 1965 in Santa Ana, CaliforniaSanta Ana, CaliforniaSanta Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
by Fumio DemuraFumio Demurais a Japanese master of karate. He is a well known master of karate and kobudo , and his martial arts skills featured in the Karate Kid series of films. Demura holds the rank of 9th dan in Shitō-ryū karate.-Early life:...
, a student of Ryusho Sakagami and Shinken Taira, as Japan Karate-do Federation. It was renamed to Shito-ryu Karate-do Genbu-kai Federation in 2003. Dojos in 25 countries. - Hokushin: Taught by Minobu Miki, a student of Teruo Hayashi until he left the Hayashi-ha organization, for unknown reasons and afterwards a student of Kenzō Mabuni, in San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
since 1972. - Kurokawa-ha Shitō-ryū Kai: Founded in 1995 by Timothy M. Brooks, student of Teruo Hayashi, Shōgō Kuniba and Ryusho Sakagami.
- Seiko-kai: Founded in (Shinkoiwa, Tokyo-Japan) 1993 by Seiko Suzuki, a senior student of Ryusho Sakagami.
- Aoinagi Shitō-ryū Karate-dō: founded by Ray Castilonia, a student of Chuzo Kotaka and Richard Kim, in California in 1978.
- Sosa-kai: Founded by Hanshi Jorge Sosa Sr; a direct student of Kenei Mabuni, the son of Kenwa Mabuni.
- Tanaka Shito-ryu Shobukan* Founded in Matsuyama city Japan by Hiromasa Tanaka a student of Ken Sakio (former president of the Shito ryu Karate Federation). Shobu means the spirit of warrior.
- Tetsu-ryu-Ha Shito-Ryu* Founded by Ted A. Hines, Student of Richard Baillargeon and Shogo Kuniba, in Ohio in 1996. Iron Dragon Branch of Shito Ryu.nstr
- Hinsei Shito-Ryu Karate-Do: Founded in 1995 by John Gaddy, a student of Yoshisada Yonezuka and Masayuki Kukan Hisataka. Instructors Shigeru Kimura, Yonezuka, and Tomo Kidachi were early pioneers of Tani-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do in the United States, while the Italian Sensei Fabio Martella was early pioneers in France.
Characteristics
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-ryūShorin-Ryu
is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts. It was founded by Choshin Chibana in 1933. Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te.-History:Chosin Chibana was a top student of the great master of shuri-te, Anko Itosu...
and Shotokan
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
(松涛館), on the other hand Shitō-ryū has circular and eight-directional movements, breathing power, hard and soft characteristics of Naha-te and Tomari-te (泊手) styles, such as 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
Kenwa Mabuni
was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan and is creditied as developing the style known as Shitō-ryū .-Achievements:# Funakoshi Gichin learned kata from Kenwa Mabuni: In order to expand his knowledge he sent his son Gigō to study kata in Mabuni's dōjō in Osaka.# 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) :
- 落花 (rakka, "falling petals"). The art of blocking with such force and precision as to completely destroy the opponent's attacking motion. Examples of rakka are the most well-known blocks, such as gedan-barai (下段払い) or soto-uke (外受け).
- 流水 (ryūsui, "running water"). The art of flowing around the attacker's motion, and through it, soft blocking. Examples are nagashi-uke (流し受け) and osae-uke (押さえ受け).
- 屈伸 (kusshin, "elasticity"). This is the art of bouncing back, storing energy while recoiling from the opponent's attack, changing or lowering stance only to immediately unwind and counterattack. Classic examples are stance transitions zenkutsu (前屈立ち) to kōkutsu (後屈立ち) and moto-dachi (基立ち) to nekoashi-dachi (猫足立ち).
- 転位 (ten'i, "transposition"). Ten'i is the utilization of all eight directions of movement, most importantly stepping away from the line of attack.
- 反撃 (hangeki, "counterattack"). A hangeki defense is an attack which at the same time deflects the opponent's attack before it can reach the defender. Examples of this are various kinds of tsuki-uke (突き受け), including yama-tsuki (山突き).
Modern Shitō-ryū styles also place a strong emphasis on sparring. Shitō-ryū stresses speed, and fighting is generally initiated from a higher, more upright stance than Shotokan employs. On the other hand, because the style has so many kata, a great deal of time is spent perfecting any one of its 40 to 60 forms.
Opening ceremony (Reishiki)
Ritsu rei - Standing bow to SenseiSeiza - Sensei sits (formal sitting position), the class sits in seiza facing shomen and prepares for class. Head student (sempai) calls out:
Mokuso! This means "Close your eyes and Clear your mind!" After about a minute, the sempai student calls out:
Kaimoku! This means: "Open your eyes!" or Mokuso Yame! This means “Finish meditation”
Zarei - Next the class performs three zarei or sitting bows. The head student calls out:
Shomen ni rei! This means "Bow to the front of the dojo." After the class finishes this bow, the Sensei will turn around and face the class and the head student will call out:
Sensei ni rei! - This means "Bow to the Teacher!" As the class bows to the teacher, the teacher will return the bow. As each student bows, they recite "Onegaishimasu" which means "Please (teach me!)"
Otagai ni rei! - This means "Bow to each other!" Both the teacher and the students will bow to each other at the same time. This is to acknowledge that we are all students of the art of Karate Do.
At this point the Sensei will indicate that the class should stand up and practice will begin.
Katas
kata list ordered by level.Basic Katas
- Shihosanshiki
- Junino Kata
- Pinan Shodan- Heian Nidan
- Pinan Nidan- Heian Shodan
- Pinan Sandan- Heian Sandan
- Pinan yondan- Heian Yondan
- Pinan Godan- Heian Godan
- Wankan
- Bassai dai
- Ji'in
- Jitte
- Jion
1st Dan
- Myoyo
- Juroku
- Matsumura no Rohai
- Bassai dai
- Tensho
- Seiryu/Aoyagi
2nd Dan
- Naifanchin 1º y 2º
- Sanchin
- Seienchin
- Kosokun dai
- Seisan
- Bassai sho
- Matsukaze
- Saifa
3rd Dan
- Naifanchin 3º
- Kosokun sho
- Jiin
- Niseishi
- Sepai
- Matsumura no Bassai
- Wanshu
4th Dan
- Shiho kosokun
- Chintei
- Soochin
- Chinto
- Sanseiru
- Tomari no Wanshu
5th Dan
- Annan
- Shisoochin
- Unsu
- Kururunfa
- Tomari no bassai
- Paiku
6th Dan
- Gojushiho
- Heiku
- Nipaipo
- Haffa
- Hakkaku
- Suparimpei
- Chatanyara no Kushanku
Kunshi no Ken (The Noble Discipline)
Master Mabuni's motto "Kunshi no Ken" which means to concentrate on cultivating oneself to become a well-rounded, respectful individual. The person who is able to accomplish this as well as to exercise good manners in all situations with self-discipline and respect, who is able to assume accountability for one's actions, and to keep one's integrity as to set an example for others, is considered a Shito-ryu practitioner. This motto can be followed by all Karate Practitioners.Heijutsu no Sanbyo
The three weaknesses or sicknesses of Martial Arts by Kenwa MabuniKenwa Mabuni
was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan and is creditied as developing the style known as Shitō-ryū .-Achievements:# Funakoshi Gichin learned kata from Kenwa Mabuni: In order to expand his knowledge he sent his son Gigō to study kata in Mabuni's dōjō in Osaka.# Kenwa Mabuni,...
.
Hitotsu - Giryo (One - Doubt or Skepticism)
Hitotsu - Ketai (One - Negligence)
Hitotsu - Manshin (One - Egotism)
See also
- List of Shito-ryu techniques
- Kenwa MabuniKenwa Mabuniwas one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan and is creditied as developing the style known as Shitō-ryū .-Achievements:# Funakoshi Gichin learned kata from Kenwa Mabuni: In order to expand his knowledge he sent his son Gigō to study kata in Mabuni's dōjō in Osaka.# Kenwa Mabuni,...
- Kenei Mabuni
- KarateKarateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
- Funakoshi Gichin
- Fumio DemuraFumio Demurais a Japanese master of karate. He is a well known master of karate and kobudo , and his martial arts skills featured in the Karate Kid series of films. Demura holds the rank of 9th dan in Shitō-ryū karate.-Early life:...
- Shōgō KunibaShogo kunibaaka Sōke Kuniba was a Japanese teacher of karate.His adoptive father was Kōsei Kokuba , who began training him at five years old...