kenwa mabuni (1893-1957)
Born in 1893, Mabuni was the 17th generation son of a famous samurai named Onigusuki. Mabuni was keenly aware of the accomplishments of his brave ancestors and, wanting to overcome poor health, he began intensive training at the age of 13. He also studied techniques of the bo, sai, tonfa, kama and nunchaku from Master Aragaki. He instructed his new system of Karate, Shitoryu, to Okinawa's police, constabulary and self-defence forces and also made frequent visits to Japan prior to 1920 to instruct the art. In 1929, Kenwa Mabuni made a permanent move to Osaka to teach at universities and police departments. He died in May 1957 at the age of 64, but his system remains one of the four major styles in Japan.
Shitoryu is effectively a combination of Shotokan and Goju-ryu as Shotokan has a leniage from Shorin-ryu (from Shuri-te) and Goju-ryu, comes from Shorei-ryu (from Naha-te and Tomari-te). Shotokan emphasizes on long linear stances and physical power while Goju-ryu uses shorter stances and internal breathing techniques (Hard and soft - Breathing out consititutes being hard and Breathing in, soft). Shitoryu is broad yet distinct from other styles. It emphasizes on shorter stances, speed and Kihon (basics).
Shitoryu Karate style is one of the 4 major Karate styles recognised by the World Karate Federation, which are chiefly Shotokan, Goju Ryu, Wado Ryu and Shitoryu. Followers of Shitoryu Karate will instantly recognise the name of the founder of the style,Kenwa Mabuni (1893-1957). He blended both Shuri-te and Naha-te to form his new style, and remembering that the actual name, Shito, was drawn from different readings of the characters of the names of his two teachers - Ankoh Itosu (Shi) and Kanryo Higashionna (to).
Ankoh Itosu and Kanryo Higashionna may be the most influential names of modern karate-do as the Shotokan founder, Gichin Funakoshi was a student of Ankoh Itosu (Teacher of Shuri-te) and the Goju-ryu founder, Chojun Miagi was a student of kanryo Higashionna (Teacher of Naha-te).