What is Shito Ryu-Karate?
Shito-Ryu is recognized as one of the major traditional schools of karate, alongside styles such as Goju-Ryu, Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, and Kyokushin. The style was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1889–1952) in Shuri, Okinawa, and reflects his extensive study of both the Shuri-te and Naha-te lineages. Shito-Ryu is distinguished by its broad curriculum of kata, its focus on applied and effective Kumite, and its characteristic blend of linear power and circular, redirecting movement. Practitioners train to use angled footwork, decisive defensive actions, and structured counterattacks that emphasize precision and control.
The name of the style honours Mabuni’s two principal teachers, Ankō Itosu and Kanryō Higaonna, both considered among the most influential martial artists of their generation. Over time, multiple organizations have continued to transmit and interpret Mabuni’s teachings, resulting in several branches of Shito-Ryu practiced around the world today.
Shito-Ryu is formally recognized by the World Karate Federation (WKF) and is widely represented in international competition.
Biography of Kenwa Mabuni
Kenwa Mabuni, born in 1889 in Shuri, Okinawa, whose lineage traces back to Okinawan nobility, began his study of martial arts at the age of thirteen under the guidance of Ankō Itosu. Several years later, his close friend Chōjun Miyagi – who would later find Goju-Ryu – introduced him to another major Okinawan master, Kanryō Higaonna.
Although Mabuni trained extensively with both Itosu and Higaonna, the two teachers emphasized very different technical principles. Itosu focused on direct, linear, and powerful movement, while Higaonna placed greater importance on circular, deflective techniques. Mabuni integrated these two philosophies into a unified system, which eventually became known as Shito-Ryu.
In 1929, Mabuni left Okinawa for Osaka, where he continued to promote karate and later established his own dojo in 1934.
Over the course of his career, he taught many skilled practitioners, including his sons Kenei Mabuni and Kenzo Mabuni.
Following his passing, Mabuni’s students and family members continued to preserve and expand his teachings, leading to the development of several Shito-Ryu organizations and branches now practiced around the world.