Mabuni Kenwa
Ryuso Mabuni Kenwa
開祖 摩 文 仁 賢 和
( 1889 - 1952 )
Founder of Shitoryu Karatedo
He was born on November 14, 1889 in Shuri, Okinawa.
He was a 17th generation descendent of a lord of the old Ryukyu kingdom called Kenio Oshiro. At age 13, he became a student of Master Ankoh Itosu 糸 州 安 恒, the most famous martial artist of Shuri-te 首 里 手.
In 1909, at the age of 20, encouraged by Master Itosu to further expand his knowledge of the martial arts, and on the advice of his best friend Chojun Miyagi, Mabuni Kenwa began taking lessons from Master Kanryo Higaonna 東 恩 納 寛 量 of Naha, until the great master's death in 1915.
During this period, Mabuni Kenwa was also receiving instruction from master Seisho Aragaki (1840-1918) of Naha, who taught a similar style to master Higashionna. Master Aragaki was an accomplished Kobujutsu teacher and taught Mabuni Kenwa bo-justsu and sai-jutsu.
He was also influenced by a tea merchant from Fukien, named WU XIAN HUI (pronounced GO KENKI in Japanese) at this time.
Completing the required military service after graduating from high school, Mabuni Kenwa eventually became a policeman.
By 1918, Mabuni Kenwa had already become an important figure in the martial arts community and was a dominant reference to his generation. He was legendarily known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of kata and their applications (Bunkai).
Around this time, he established a research and study group at his home. During 1918, Mabuni Kenwa's first son, Kenei, was born.
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.
Mabuni Kenwa 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" ), Mabuni Kenwa created the new name, "SHITO" for his style of Karatedo.
In 1929, he moved to Osaka permanently, where he opened his Dojo "Yoshukan". He was also teaching at the Kansai University, where he trained many followers.
Over the next few years, Master Mabuni dedicated himself to the further development and promotion of Shitoryu Karatedo in the Osaka area. He was faced with an extremely difficult task due to the unwillingness of the population to accept him or this strange looking system of self defence, resembling an ancient "Okinawan-Fist Dance". In order to bring Shitoryu to the general public's attention, Master Mabuni would perform many demonstrations where he would break bricks and boards to show the power of karate. Continually trying to gain acceptance of his art, Master Mabuni Kenwa would give free instruction at various police stations across western Japan.
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 Shitokai Karatedo Federation. Shitoryu 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.
Kenwa Sensei published several books and continued to develop his learning method. In his late years, he created several Kata, like "Aoyagi" which he developed specifically for self-defense for women.
He died on May 23, 1952 at the age of 63, leaving a unique heritage for all devoted followers and future generations.
His eldest son, Mabuni Kenei Sensei succeeded him as head of the world organization of SHITORYU KARATEDO.
Nanigotomo Uchiwasuretari
Hisasurani Bunoshima Sashite
Koguga Tanoshiki
Mabuni Kenwa
It can be expressed as:
"Forgetting mundane things
When striving for the martial isle
Paddling is joy"
(World Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation - 1993 Inaugural Program Booklet)Shihan Mizuguchi Hirofumi's handwriting (shodo)This "tanka" (31-syllable abstract Japanese poem) was composed by Mabuni Kenwa Sensei where he describes his view of life and karatedo: focus less on possessing things; concentrate rather on polishing character through hard work in your practice of karatedo.