Karate-do was modified and transformed into a way of life by Master Gichin Funakoshi in 1905. Before this, it was just a group of techniques that permitted self-defense without weapons. Weapons bans, imposed on the Okinawans at various points thoughout their history, encouraged the refinement of empty-hand techniques and, for this reason, was trained in secret until modern times. Further refinement came with the influence of other martial arts brought by nobles and trade merchants to the island. Born in 1868, Funakoshi began to study karate at the age of 11, and was a student of the two greatest masters of the time, Yasutsune Itosu and Yasutsune Azato.
The first public demonstration of karate in Japan was in 1917 by Funakoshi, at the Butoku-den in Kyoto. This, and subsequent demonstrations, greatly impressed many Japanese, including the Crown-Prince Hirohito, who was very enthusiastic about the Okinawan art. In 1922, having mastered two major styles of Karate, Funakoshi, then President of the Okinawa association of the Spirit of Martial Arts, was chosen to demonstrate Karate at the first National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo. This led to the introduction of the ancient martial art to the rest of Japan.
Other masters then helped spread Karate throughout the country and the rest of the world. A general Federation of Karate Organizations was established in 1964 after Karate achieved a following abroad. This federation's main concern has been to establish unified forms, rankings, and rules of competition, and to keep contact with overseas Karate associations. Over the years, numerous schools and styles have emerged, some emphasizing the strengthening of the body, while others focused on quick movement.
History of Shito-Ryu and Kenwa Mabuni - The Founder of Shito-Ryu Karate
HISTORY OF SHITORYU KARATEDO OKINAWA KARATE, FROM IT'S DAWN TO SHOWA ERA 6-7C Ryukyu (ancient name of Okinawa) appears in "Nihon Shogi" the oldest Japanese historical and legendary record book, and "Sui Shu" a record of Sui Dynasty, of ancient China. 14C The kingdom of Ryukyu consists of three kingdoms, Northern, Central, and Southern Okinawa and constantly fights each other. 1372 Central kingdom of Ryukyu (King Shoho) begins trade with China (Ming Dynasty). Chinese culture and products are imported. Also flourishing trade with southeast Asia and Eastern Asia is opened 1392 Fukken (Fuchu province) China, settled down in Kume village, Central district of Naha, and Chinese Kenpo (martial arts) influenced by *Nampa Taiso-ken was probably introduced. *Nampa Taiso-ken is invented by Sho Koku In (926-976AD) who is the founder of So Dynasty. And the art was spread to southern part of China. Developed in Fuchu Province especially. 1429 The constantly warring three kingdoms of Okinawa were unified under Sho Hashi, the founder of Sho Dynasty. 1458 At the Asawari (a king of Katsuren castle) war, heroic samurai of Oni-ow-gusuku, made a great victory, who is an ancestor of Mabuni family. 1477 During the reign of Kng Sho Shin, the private ownership of weapons is banned for the first time. In that Ryukyu had been in close contact with China for centuries, referred to the many martial art forms based on Chinese models that were practiced on the island. Ryukyu learned various forms of boxing during their trading trips to china, and immigrant Chinese Kempo (ch'uan fu) masters taught on the island itself. In addition to imported Chinese boxing, more indigenous martial art forms were apparently formulated over the centuries by the upper-classes Okinawan. 1609 The Shimazu clan which locates in the southernmost island of mainland Japan control over Ryukyu. The kingdom of Ryukyu is organized into Tokugawa Shogunate feudal state. The second banning on the private ownership of weapon is reinforced. 1830 Ss Ankoh Itosu, born in Shuri. [*Ss=abbreviation of Sensei] 1852 Ss Kanryo Higaonna, born in Naha. 1867 People of Kume village, descendants of Fuchu people, demonstrated Karate at celebration for King Shotai, which was probably introduced from their home town. 1872 Ss K Higaonna visited China, learned arts from two masters, Sui and Ryu Ryu Koh. 1879 Ryukyu became Okinawa prefecture upon the Meiji reforms of mainland Japan Modernization policies of the new Meiji government of Japan started in 1868. 1888 Ss Chojun Miyagi, born in Naha. 1889 Ss Kenwa Mabuni, born in Shuri. He is the 17th descendant of the heroic Oni-ow-gusuku. As he was born weak, he was eager to be stronger and was greatly influenced by heroic stories of his brave ancestor Oni-ow-gusuku. In Okinawa, martial artists were called "bushi", or warriors. There were several karate masters in Shuri, Naha, and Tomari. However, Okinawa martial arts were in strict secrecy to avoid the scrutiny of both overloads and rival schools. Martial techniques were considered family heirlooms, and guarded zealously from generation to generation. {Ss Ken-ei said}
There were in fact no dojo in Okinawa in old days - karate keeping with the tradition is not openly practiced. Karate practitioners usually went to a teacher to learn his techniques and they concentrated on the training of only a few katas, not many for their lives long. In a scarce case, the few, with allowance, went to another teacher to get more different skills.
Karate was mainly studied through kata practices in Okinawa, but almost nothing was written down, no records kept and no teachers left their names. Therefore today katas have as many as the number of schools. Katas in old days, have names like "xxx of Pattsai", "xxx of Goju-shiho", etc., relating to the places and the masters' names. 1901 Karate became popular and was taken up as a curriculum in a teachers' school as physical education. Ss Itosu organized traditional katas and remodeled them to "Nai-fan-chin", and "Hei-an" to be used in schools. He left great steps to modernize karate. 1902 At age of thirteen, Ss Mabuni went to Ss Itosu. He studied very hard without taking a day off. Ss Itosu had to stop him practicing on a day like tyhoon. "Stay home !" Ss Itodu had to scold him. {Ss Kenwa said} Ss Itosu practiced every morning at the same time. Punching "makiwara" several hundreds times made his fist like a black stone. The training session took place at home, mainly in his garden. In general, masters of those days never had dojo to teach students. {Ss Ken-ei said} 1905 Ss Chomo Hana-gusuku, one of the senior students of Ss Itosu, suggested to use letter Kara-empty (in spite of Tong Dynasty), and Te=hand. 1909 When Ss Kenwa was twenty, he knocked the door of Ss Higaonna to be enrolled by introduction of Ss C Miyagi. Ss Higaonna was the representative master of "Naha-te", which was arranged from Fukken kempo, China. At the time, kumite was not openly practiced as we do today. Kumite session took place, with the agreement of both sides, at some street corners or a garden. Usually witnesses from both sides watched the fighting, and sometimes in the dark, lighting their feet with lanterns. When it became the right time, they stopped playing and evaluated them, giving them advices and judgments. Ss Kenwa joined these sessions too and became a witness several times. {Ss Ken-ei said}
When it's dark, he practiced under the lamps hung from trees at garden. Trainees were usually naked to the waists and practiced their fists or feet using "makiwara", also using sand bags, they trained their elbows and arms. Kuba (a kind of leaves) kasa-keri is kicking training using a broad-brimmed hat with "kuba" leaves. Sessions are generally trained individually and consist of sequences that include basic and advanced punches, kicks, blocks, and evasive moments.
Ss Kenwa continued to keep up training throughout his life. And his passion for karate never set aside even in a moment. {Ss Ken-ei said} 1913 As matured his military service, was appointed to a police detective. Taking opportunities as a police, he walked around the whole island seeking distinguished senseis. He practiced Judo, Kendo & arrest technique which were compulsory for policemen. In addition, he learnt the arts of ancient Ryukyu Budo like "bo-jutsu (sticking arts)" from Ss Aragaki. "Sai-jutsu" from Ss Watada, and "bo-jutsu in Ss Sueishi style" by Ss Sueishi. 1914 Ss a Itosu, died. 1915 Ss K Higaonna, died. 1917 Since two giant stars in the dawn of karate in Okinawa died, Ss Mabuni had been the most prominent leader among young aggressive karate-kas. Thus, as a young leader, Ss Kenwa organized "Karate study club" which was the first karate study group in Okinawa. Many promising practitioners gathered there and followed Ss Kenwa's character. Main members were Ss Miyagi, Ss G Funakoshi, Ss Chomo Hana-gusuku, Ss Tsuken Yabu, Ss S Tokumrua, Ss H Ishikawa, Ss C Oh-Shiro, Ss A Tokuda, Ss S Shiroma, etc. 1918 Ss Kenwa had the honour to demonstrate in front of Imperial Prince Kuninomiya. Ss Ken-ei, born in February 13 in Shuri. 1922 Owing to the great efforts made by both Ss Kenwa and Ss Miyagi, karate became more popular and its theory was propelled systematically. Ss Funakoshi introduced karate first to mainland Japan. 1924 Had the honor to demonstrate karate in front of Imperial Prince Chichibu. Ss Kenwa was appointed as professor at a marine college and a teachers' school. Ss Funakoshi performed with Ss Otsuka at Imperial dojo in Tokyo. 1925 Ss Kenwa established a school named "Okinawa Karate Kenkyu Club", that was his dearest wish. And the dojo was for the first time in Okinawa taking students. Senior instructors were Ss Juhatsu Kyoda, Ss Chohatsu Motobu, Ss Chomo Hanagusuku, Ss Chojo Oshiro, Ss Tomonobu Chibana and Ss Go Ken Ki etc. The dojo was located at the back of my house. Many sub-training tools were installed, "makiwara", "sage-makiwara (hanging makiwara)", "yokobo" (to strengthen waist) and "makiage (grip training)", "iron shoes", "sai", "bottle with full sans". The dojo was perfect and ideal for all kinds of trainings. {Ss Kenei said бн}
The most important training in those time was to build up physical strength and then practiced kumite to study techniques secondary. When students asked a teacher about waza or technique, he would show by actions and simply said "Come on !". He would let students attack him freely, guarding and averting the "tsuki" and "geri" of the students, he taught "How to". He would say "Did you get it ?". But the actions were too quick that the students could never get it by just once or twice. {Ss Kenei said бн}
About kata, performances of famous masters characterized their personal waza. They were practical and based on actual fighting. Katas were named from famous places and masters, like "Bassai". {Ss Kenei said бн} 1927 Ss Kenwa performed karate with Ss C Miyagi for two days in front of Jigoro Kano, Judo founder when he visited Okinawa in that January. Ss Kano was greatly impressed and said "karate-do is perfect 'budo' on self-defence and should be introduced widely throughout the country." 1928 Ss Kenwa Mabuni moved to Tokyo, next year to Osaka. In Osaka, away from his native country Okinawa, Ss Kenwa had to face the barrier of misunderstanding of karate. Then Ss Kenwa tried to publicise karate mainly at the police stations. The general public would not understand so easily. It was described as a kind of "fist dance". Ss Kenwa, while embarrassed by the lack of understanding, toiled day and night to think of effective ways to promote karate. In spite of these difficulties, Ss Kenwa stayed true to his belief. 1929 Ss Funagoshi altered the letter of Karate from kara (Tong) to kara (empty). 1930 Ss Chojun Miyagi systematized his techniques and when he was asked of his style, he named it "Gojyu-ryu" at the Butoku-sai (Budo festival) in Kyoto. 1930 Ss Kenwa, after the enormous efforts, organized Dai Nihon Karatedo kai (later, Nihon Karatedo kai) at last and opened "Yoshu kan" dojo at Nishinari word of Osaka. In the beginning of Showa era, Ss Genwa Nakasone wrote in his book that although Ss Kenwa belonged to Gojyuryu with Ss Miyagi as two bing bones in the Higaonna school, Ss Kenwa had different stance. That was that all the people concerned, admired him as a true successor of Itosu style. He adopted teaching methods of Itosu and Higaonna and made Shitoryu taking a head character from each name. The book also says at present, there exist only two main streams and other streams, evn if existed, are not recognized as stream then, he explains in his book. 1933 Ss Kenwa appointed to Shihan at Kansai University. 1934 Ss Kenwa publishes "Kobo-jizai Goshinjutsu Karate Kanpo" from Karate Kenkyusha. Publishes also "Sei-pai no Kenkyu" (study of Seipai). Karate was organized in Dai-Nihon Butoku-kai (Great Japan Federation of martial arts), as karate-jutsu (technology) of Judo category. 1936 Tokyo Univ. used Kara (Tong Dynasty) - te (hand) to Kara (empty or sky) - te. 1938 Publishes "Karate-do Nyumon (for beginners)" with Ss. Genwa Nakasone. 1939 Dai-Nihon Butoku-kai officially registered Karate-do as one of independent martial arts. Ss Kenwa was awarded a title of "Renshi" by Dai Nihon Butoku-kai.
Ss Funagoshi named his school as "Shotokan-ryu". 1942 Appointed to Shihan at Toyo University And since then, Ss Kenwa is appointed Shihan one after another at Osaka Industrial College, Kansei Gakuin Univ., Kinki Univ., Osaka Municipal Univ., etc. and came step by step to found its basic for collegate league in Japan as they are massive today. 1952 Passed away (May 23), the age of 73. Ss. Ken-ei recalled his father as a great karate pursuit, "He loved Karate and loved training". He also loved to make poems of budo. The following is his representative poem on discipline expressing the joy of dedicated training:
"Forgetting mundane things, When striving for the martial isle, Padding is joy"
This poem is the most likely to describe my father on his training attitude. {Ss Ken-ei said бн}
In reference to the books by Ss Kenwa, and a talk by Ss Ken-ei, this history were written.
http://www.hkshitoryu.org
