I started my martial arts training at the age of 12 taking Judo thru parks and recreation. At age 17 I joined the Army where they taught hand to hand combat. After the military I went and trained with Minobu Miki at Southwestern College in 1982 and shortly after joined his studio. I received a 1st degree black belt in 1984 in front of Grand Master Hayashi. I have a 2nd degree black belt in Ryuei-Ryu and a 3rd degree black belt in Shito-Ryu. I have been actively in karate over 30 years and teaching for parks and recreation for over 25 yrs. I enjoy sharing what I have learned over the years with my students, young and old.

Shito-Ryu History

Shito-Ryu is one of the four major styles of World Karate Federation, the world governing body of Karate. It was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1887-1952), an Okinawan born descendant of so called "Bushi" (warrior) class. During his time, the martial arts (Okinawan-te) was known according to village where it was practiced: Shuri-te (the hand of Shuri), Naha-te and Tomari-te. Mabuni learned Shuri-te from Ankoh Itosu (1830-1915) who was a student of Sokon Martsumara (1792-1887), forefather of Shorin_ryu, and Naha-te from Kanryu Higashionna (1853-1915) who mainly studiend Kenpo in China's Fukien province under Liu Liu Kung. Mabuni also learned several empty hand katas and kobudo (weapon) katas from Arakaki (1840-1918) and some white crane Kungfu forms from Woo Yin Gue, a chinese tea merchant in Okinawa.

After Gichin Funakoshi introduced "Karate" in Japan in 1922, Kenwa Mabuni as a police officer, traveled several times in Japan and tried to spread his knowledge of Okinawa-te in Japan. Finally, he moved to Osaka, Japan in 1928 and started to teach Karate in Japan when Butkukai (then governing body for matial arts in Japan) started registration for all Karate schools. Master Mabuni named his style Hanko-Ryu (half- hard style) which he later changed, in the 1930's, to Shito-Ryu in honor of his two foremost teachers Itosu and Higashionna (the first Kanji character in 'Itosu' sounds like "Shi" and the first character in "Higashionna" sounds like 'to', ryu stands for style or school).

It may be noted that Ankoh Itosu and Kanryu Higashionna are the two most important names in the history of modern Karate-do as the Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi (1886-1957) was a student of Itosu (also Azato) and Goju-ryu founder Chojun Miagi (1888-1953) was a student of Kanryu Higashionna. The other style of the four major styles of Modern Japanese Karate, Wado-ryu was founded by Hironori Ohtsuka (1892-1982) who studied Shotokan under Master Funakoshi.

Master Mabuni, founder of Shito-ryu Karate, died in Osaka, Japan in May 1952 at age 64 leaving his name and art in every heart of each Shito-ryu Karate-ka.

The Karate-GI

In Japanese culture the left side of the Karate-GI, coat or kimono goes over the right side. The only time the right side goes over the left is when someone dies.

The color of the Gi is white. This denotes purity and shows respect to yourself and others because you must keep it clean even though the white color dirties easily. It shows a student is diligent by keeping the Gi white.

The Gi is made entirely of cloth, with no buttons or zippers, so that when you fall you are less likely to get hurt. The long belt is used to secure the Gi top and overlays, crossing itself in the back to keep from slipping and protect your back and spine. The bottom of the pants leg should be 2" above the ankle. The top of the Gi should cover the buttocks, the sleeve length should be below your elbows, about the middle of the forearm. The belt, when tied and hanging, should be between the crotch and knees. The side ties are used to hold the Gi closed.

FIVE PRINCIPLES OF SHITO RYU KARATE

1. Shoshin wasurero nakare (Ishi)

Always try your best (Determination)

2. Reigi okotaru nakare (Dotoku)

Always be courteous and maintain proper etiquette (Moral Virtue)

3. Doryuku okotaru nakare (Haten)

Constantly strive to improve and grow (Development)

4. Joshin kakeru nakare (Joshiki)

Be practicle and use common sense (Common Sense)

5. Wa midasu nakare (Heiwa)

Keep harmony and peace in your daily living (Peace)