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Shito-ryu

The style with the most kata.

A karate style founded by Kenwa Mabuni, who joined the teachings of his two masters, Itosu and Higaonna. It keeps one of the largest kata collections and is very strong in competition kata.

Fact file

Country
Japan
Founder / origin
Kenwa Mabuni
Year / period
1930s
Type
Striking
Style of
Karate
Main federation
World Shitoryu Karate-do Federation — WSKF · World Sport Shito Ryu Federation — WSSHRF
Sources: World Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation · Japan Karate Federation (JKF) — four major styles

History

Shito-ryu was founded by Kenwa Mabuni, who learned from both great Okinawan lines: Anko Itosu (Shuri-te) and Kanryo Higaonna (Naha-te). The name joins the first characters of their names.

Mabuni moved to Osaka in the late 1920s and taught there. Shito-ryu keeps more kata than almost any other style and is very successful in kata competition.

Shito-ryu is one of the four major styles recognised by the Japan Karate Federation. Its best-known branches include Shitokai, Itosu-kai, Hayashi-ha and Seishinkai, and its kata range from Itosu’s Pinan and Bassai to Higaonna’s Seienchin, Kururunfa and Suparinpei.