History（Mabuni family and Shito-Ryu）

The Mabuni family, descended from Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu Karate Do, is a family lineage dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom era, and its ancestors include the historical warrior Kenyu Oshiro. Kenwa, the founder of the school, is the seventeenth generation descendant of the renowned martial artist Kenyu Oshiro (Oni Oshiro).

●Road leading to the tomb of Oni-Oshiro

 

●Tomb of Oni-Oshiro

 

●Tomb of Oni-Oshiro（photographed near）

●Explanation board as a cultural property designated by Okinawa City

●Grave stone monument of the Kasi Taisou

 

●Chibana Castle Ruins
Mabuni Kenwa's ancestor, Oshiro Kenyu, who is still famous for his bravery, is buried in Chibana Castle Ruins.

 

●Distant view from Chibana Castle Ruins

 

●About "Kenwa Mabuni" and Shito-Ryu
Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu Karate Do, was born on November 14, 1889, in Shuri City, Okinawa Prefecture. He comes from a prestigious family that has existed since the Ryukyu Kingdom era, and is the 17th generation descendant of Kenyu Oshiro, who was famous for his bravery and known as Oni Oshiro.

●Kenwa Mabuni
Kenwa Mabuni began studying Shuri-te under Anko Itosu at the age of 14 in 1902, and later learned Naha-te from Kanryo Higaonna at the age of 19. The name Shito-Ryu comes from the first letters of the names of his two teachers. In 1916, at the age of 27, Kenwa Mabuni opened a dojo and worked to spread karate. In 1929, he moved from Okinawa to Osaka and established his own dojo, Shito-Ryu in 1934. Kenwa Mabuni dedicated his life to the development of karate, and passed away in 1952 at the age of 63. However, his techniques and spirit have been passed down by the second headmaster, Kenzo Mabuni, as well as the Mabuni family and many of his disciples.

●Kenzo Mabuni

 

●The crest of Seito Shito-Ryu Karate Do uses the family crest passed down by the Mabuni family.