:: WHAT IS SHITO-RYU KARATE? ::
An abbreviated history of karate
The origins of Karate are to be found in 12th Century China. There were a
number of ancient Chinese systems, collectively known as KEMPO or "Way
of the Fist."
In Okinawa, the possession of weapons and the practice of martial arts
were forbidden during the 15th Century. From that time until the early 20th
Century, the Okinawans practiced their martial arts in secrecy. This
secrecy limited the amount of written material on the history of martial arts.
World War II destroyed much of the little written history that existed.
Early Okinawan weapon-less martial arts were known as TE, a word
meaning "hand". During the 15th Century, Chinese visitors introduced
Kempo into Okinawa. As Kempo was blended into TE, the resulting art
became known as TODE, or Chinese Hand. Another meaning for the
Chinese character that represents TO was KARA, meaning Open, with the
result that the weapon-less martial arts of Okinawa finally became know as
KARATE.
There were three main cities in Okinawa. Each developed its own version
of Karate: Tomari developed TOMARI-TE; Naha, NAHA-TE; and Shuri, the
capital city, SHURI-TE. Tomari-te was quite similar to Shuri-te and was
gradually absorbed into Shuri-te. There were other systems, to be sure,
but by the 19th Century, only two main divisions remained: Naha-te and
Shuri-te.
number of ancient Chinese systems, collectively known as KEMPO or "Way
of the Fist."
In Okinawa, the possession of weapons and the practice of martial arts
were forbidden during the 15th Century. From that time until the early 20th
Century, the Okinawans practiced their martial arts in secrecy. This
secrecy limited the amount of written material on the history of martial arts.
World War II destroyed much of the little written history that existed.
Early Okinawan weapon-less martial arts were known as TE, a word
meaning "hand". During the 15th Century, Chinese visitors introduced
Kempo into Okinawa. As Kempo was blended into TE, the resulting art
became known as TODE, or Chinese Hand. Another meaning for the
Chinese character that represents TO was KARA, meaning Open, with the
result that the weapon-less martial arts of Okinawa finally became know as
KARATE.
There were three main cities in Okinawa. Each developed its own version
of Karate: Tomari developed TOMARI-TE; Naha, NAHA-TE; and Shuri, the
capital city, SHURI-TE. Tomari-te was quite similar to Shuri-te and was
gradually absorbed into Shuri-te. There were other systems, to be sure,
but by the 19th Century, only two main divisions remained: Naha-te and
Shuri-te.
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| ::Tetsu Shin Karate Kan - Iron Heart Dojo :: Traditional Okinawan Instruction |
:: ::
| ::Tetsu Shin Karate Kan - Iron Heart Dojo :: Traditional Okinawan Instruction |
| ::Tetsu Shin Karate Kan - Iron Heart Dojo :: Traditional Okinawan Instruction |
Matsumara, Sokan or Bushi (1797-1889) was responsible for organizing the Shuri-te system and carrying on its
teachings. He was followed by Itosu, Anko (1830-1915). Itosu is generally credited with the founding of
SHORIN-RYU. (Ryu means Style) Next followed Mabuni, Kenwa (1889-1957). Mabuni is the founder of
SHITO-RYU, the style or system followed here.
But it is not that simple. Higashionna (Higaonna), Kanryo (1845-1915) became the leading master of the
Naha-te system. Mabuni also studied under Higashionna, and when he developed his Shito-Ryu system, he
used elements of both Naha-te and Shuri-te. The name Shito -Ryu comes from the first syllable of Itosu (Ito=Shi)
and of Higashionna (Higa=To). Hence Shito-Ryu, a blending of Itosu's and Higashionna's styles and names.
Many other masters contributed to Karate along the way. Alexander, in his book Okinawa, Island of Karate gives
the early genealogy of Shuri-te as Peishin, Takahara (1683-1760); Sakugawa, Karate (1733-1815); and
Matsumura, Sokon (1797-1889). Itosu followed Matsumura. Other masters contributed greatly to each system.
~Shihan Richard C. Kelley
teachings. He was followed by Itosu, Anko (1830-1915). Itosu is generally credited with the founding of
SHORIN-RYU. (Ryu means Style) Next followed Mabuni, Kenwa (1889-1957). Mabuni is the founder of
SHITO-RYU, the style or system followed here.
But it is not that simple. Higashionna (Higaonna), Kanryo (1845-1915) became the leading master of the
Naha-te system. Mabuni also studied under Higashionna, and when he developed his Shito-Ryu system, he
used elements of both Naha-te and Shuri-te. The name Shito -Ryu comes from the first syllable of Itosu (Ito=Shi)
and of Higashionna (Higa=To). Hence Shito-Ryu, a blending of Itosu's and Higashionna's styles and names.
Many other masters contributed to Karate along the way. Alexander, in his book Okinawa, Island of Karate gives
the early genealogy of Shuri-te as Peishin, Takahara (1683-1760); Sakugawa, Karate (1733-1815); and
Matsumura, Sokon (1797-1889). Itosu followed Matsumura. Other masters contributed greatly to each system.
~Shihan Richard C. Kelley