Mabuni Kenei
Soke Mabuni Kenei
宗 家 摩 文 仁 賢 榮
( 1918 - 2015 )
2 ° Soke of Shitoryu Karatedo
Born on 13 February, 1918 in Shuri, Okinawa, his father taught him Karate, Ju-jutsu, the Bo-jutsu and Sai-jutsu.
He was also fascinated by Kendo and trained under the direction of Master Konishi. Kenei Sensei also practiced Judo.
When the Mabuni family moved to Osaka, Kenei Sensei accompanied his father during his various functions related to Karatedo and met several great Masters:
Miyagi Chojun - Goju ryu
Funakoshi Gichin – Shotokan
Motobu Choki - Itosu ryu
Uechi Kanbun - Uechi ryu
Fujita Seiko - Koga ryu ninjutsu
Konishi Yasuhiro - Shindo jinen ryu
Soeshi Aragaki – Kobudo
Otsuka Hironori - Wado ryu
After the end of World War II he continued to help his father teach and spread Shito-ryu Karate throughout Japan.
After graduating from University studies, Kenei Sensei opened his physiotherapist's office while pursuing teaching Karatedo.
Shortly after the sudden death of his father caused by the complications of a heart attack on 23 May 1952, Mabuni Kenei succeeded his father as second Soke ("head of the family" or "supreme grand master") of Shitoryu Karatedo.
On 15 January 1984, Mabuni Sensei was awarded the "Medal of Distinguished Service" for his contribution to martial arts, given by the Martial Arts Council of Japan (Nippon Budo Kyougi Kai).
Mabuni Kenei Sensei was not only the Soke of Shitoryu Karatedo and the technical adviser of the Japanese Karatedo Federation, but also a member of the technical committee of the Okinawa city Federation. He has taught in many countries around the world, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe.
He continued teaching and perpetuating the memory of his father till the very end of his life.
"The karate as a source of endless pleasure."