KENWA MABUNI (1889-1952)

 Kenwa Mabuni was born in Shuri, descendant of one of the bravest warriors of Okinawan nobility. As a child, Kenwa Mabuni wanted so very much to be like his great ancestors, but, unfortunately he was very sickly and weak. In 1902, at the age of 13, Kenwa Mabuni was taken to the most famous martial artist in Shuri, master Ankoh Itosu, to improve his health.

In 1909, encouraged by master Itosu to further expand his knowledge of the martial arts, Kenwa Mabuni, began taking lessons from master Kanryo Higashionna.

By 1918, Kenwa Mabuni had become an important figure in the martial arts community and was respected by his peers. The Japanese government's martial arts sanctioning organization, the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai began to demand the different groups applying for membership, be more specific in the description of their Karate systems, and pressured them to name their systems. Kenwa Mabuni originally named his system 'HANKO RYU' (Half-Hard style), but, later changed it to reflect the deep respect he felt towards his two great masters, ITOSU and HIGAONNA. Using the alternative reading of the Kanji for 'ITO' from master ITOSU's name, (which can also be read as 'SHI' ), and 'HIGA' from master HIGAONNA's name, (which can be interpreted as 'TO' ), Kenwa Mabuni created the new name, 'SHITO' for his style of Karatedo.

His most famous student was master Shinken Taira (1897-1970) who also trained under master Mabuni during the late 1930's. Ryusho Sakagami (1915-1993), began training under master Moden Yabiku in 1934, and then in 1937, became a student of master Kenwa Mabuni.
Eventually his enormous efforts began to finally pay-off with the establishment of the DAI NIHON KARATEDO KAI, in 1931. This original group later was the forerunner of the present World Shito-Kai Karatedo Federation. Shito Ryu Karatedo became more accepted after this time, and master Mabuni began to teach many students at his home and at many Universities that were forming clubs. Among his many students included were his two sons, Kenei Mabuni and Kenzo Mabuni, Chojiro Tani (founder of Tani-ha SHUKOKAI), Ryusho Sakagami, Yoshiaki Tsujikawa, Ken Sakio, Jun-ichi Inoue, Manzo Iwata, Toshiyuki Imanishi, Kazuo Kokuba.

During the Pacific War, many promising young karateka from the four major styles lost their lives, including from the Shito Ryu group. Master Mabuni barely survived the post-war turmoil, contending with great poverty but, he persevered and continued to devote himself unselfishly to the further development of Shito Ryu Karatedo. After the war, many of the previously established Shito Ryu Karate clubs in the universities and colleges began to re-open.

Master Kenwa Mabuni died on May 23, 1952.

During November 1960, due to the colossal efforts of Master Manzo Iwata (1924-1993) an eastern Headquarters was finally established while, similtaneously, the western Headquarters was being re-established by Master Kenwa Mabuni's first born son, Master Kenei Mabuni (1918- ).The Chairmanship of the Eastern and Western Headquarters was assumed by Master Iwata and Master Kenei Mabuni respectively.

Over the years, both Headquarters conducted separate special events, seminars and tournaments until the First All-Japan Shitoryu Karatedo Championships was held in April, 1964.

The establishment of the sports governing body for Karatedo in Japan, the Japan Karatedo Federation (J.K.F.), formerly known as the Federation of All-Japan Karatedo Organizations (F.A.J.K.O.) was created in October of the same year.
In February 1973, the Eastern and Western dual Headquarters of the Dai Nihon Karatedo Kai merged to become the JAPAN KARATEDO SHITOKAI.

With the culmination of various Shito-kai groups around the globe, including Cuba, Russia, Mexico, Asia, the Pan-American countries, South America, North America and Canada, the establishment of the WORLD SHITORYU KARATEDO FEDERATION was finally realized at the congress meeting in Osaka in March, 1993. The official, 1st. SHITORYU KARATEDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS was held in the TOKYO BUDOKAN following the Osaka Congress.

In 1993, Master Sakio was appointed the 'President of the Japan Karate-do Shito-Kai as well as President of the World Shito-Ryu Karate-do Federation after the very unexpected death of Master Iwata Manzo.
In 1994 Master Sakio was awarded 9th degree level of black belt from the Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF).

At the 2nd World Shito Ryu Karate Do Federation Championships in Puebla, Mexico during 1996, Master Sakio headed-up the Japan delegation and presided at the WSKF Congress as well as supervising the Kata and Referee seminars.