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The Evolution of the Noble
Discipline of
SHITO-RYU
KARATE-DO
The origin of
today's four major Japanese karate-do systems can be traced to a group of
islands known as the Ryukyu Island chain during the 18th
century. Located between Japan (North-East), mainland China (West), and
Taiwan (South-West), Okinawa, the largest of the islands had an indigenous
martial art form that was being secretly practiced called 'TE' or 'HANDS'.
This ideal location allowed Okinawa to be heavily
influenced by an open cultural exchange with Asia, especially China. During this era, the
secret method of 'TE' was combined with various Chinese martial arts fighting
styles that evolved into a system referred to simply as 'TO-DE' or 'CHINESE-HAND'.
 Three main areas
eventually came into prominence on Okinawa as the centres for
the practice of 'TO-DE'. They were, SHURI, the ancient capital city of Okinawa where the king and
noble families lived, NAHA, a port town of
business and commercial enterprise, and TOMARI, a village populated mostly by
farmers, fisherman, and country people. Each location had developed a unique
style of 'TO-DE'.
TOMARI
In Tomari, two great masters became important historical
figures in the development TOMARI-TE. They were, Kokan
Oyadomari (1831-1905) who taught Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945) and Kosaku Matsumora
(1797-1898), who taught Ankoh Itosu
(1830-1915).
NAHA
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Naha's most famous
master in the development of 'NAHA-TE' was Kanryo
Higashionna (Higaonna, 1853-1915). He
received instruction from master Arakaki
(1840-1918). Master Higashionna taught many
students including Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953), the
founder of 'GOJU-RYU',and
Kenwa Mabuni
(1889-1952), the founder of 'SHITO-RYU'.
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Kanryo Higashionna (Higaonna)
(1853-1915)
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SHURI
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Pechin Sakugawa
(1733-1815)
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Shuri's main teacher in the development of
'SHURI-TE' was master Sakugawa
(1733-1815), who was widely known by the nickname of 'TO-DE SAKUGAWA'. He
is believed to have received his instuction from Peichin Takahara and from a
Chinese military attache‚ known as 'KU-SAN-KU',
who was an expert in the art of 'Chinese-Boxing' and living in Okinawa around 1761. Tode Sakugawa's most
prominent student was Sokon Matsumura (1809-1894)
who was also Yasutsune 'Ankoh'
Itosu's teacher.
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The system of
the Tomari region became absorbed into the Shuri and Naha systems because of
lack of development in Tomari. This gradually left
only two main systems, Shuri-te and Naha-te.
Eventually, they were referred to as 'SHORIN' and 'SHOREI' respectively.
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Ankoh Itosu was born in Shuri and became one of the most respected martial
artists in Okinawa during the 19th century. Master Itosu was the first person to introduce 'TO-DE' into
the Okinawa Dai Ichi Jr. High School and the Okinawa
Teachers Jr. College school system. One of his great contributions to the
art of 'TO-DE', was the firm belief of the
importance of the development of person's character through the
concentration on 'KATA' (form patterns) and 'BUNKAI' application practice.
Master Itosu also organized and systemized 'TO-DE' into a
standard method of practice. When he first began teaching in the school
system, the introduction of the kata Naihanchin was his preferred way to teach. He soon
realized that this kata was far too advanced for
the beginner, which lead to master Itosu creating a group of new kata,
the PINAN's. The creation of 5 Pinan (alternate reading as HEIAN) kata
was based on the kata called Kusanku
and some other significant techniques. Master Itosu
trained a great number of eminent karatemen,
including Kentsu Yabu
(1863-1937), Chomo Hanashiro
(1869-1945), Gichin Funakoshi (1867-1957), Moden Yabiku (1880-1941), Kanken Toyama (1888-1966),Chotoku Kyan
(1870-1945), Shinpan Shiroma (1890-1954), Anbun Tokuda (1886-1945) and Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952).
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Ankoh Itosu (1830-1915)
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Back (L-R)
Shinpan Shiroma, Choryo Maeshiro, Choshin Chibana, Genwa Nakasone.
Front Chotoku Kyan, Kentsu Yabu, Chomo Hanashiro, Chojun Miyagi
Gichin Funakoshi
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Kanryo Higashionna (alternate reading
as HIGAONNA) was born in Naha in 1853. He began
training in the martial arts with a Chinese Kempo
stylist when he was around 16 years old. His fascination
for this Chinese fighting-art form lead him to train in Foochow, China for approximately
15 years.
After
returning to Okinawa, he was eventually convinced to teach his
system of martial arts. It was during this period that he introduced the
'HARD' and 'SOFT' methods of training. Master Higashionna
was renown for his great physical strength and his
performance of the 'SANCHIN' kata. Kanryo Higashionna was also
considered to be one of the most highly respected martial artists in Okinawa during the 19th
century. Master Higashionna had many disciples
among whom were his most dedicated, Chojun Miyagi (founder of GOJU-RYU), Juhatsu Kiyoda (founder of
TOON-RYU), Kanken Toyama, and Kenwa
Mabuni (founder of SHITO-RYU).
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Kanryo Higashionna
(1853-1915)
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Chojun Miyagi
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(L) Chojun Miyagi, Juhatsu
Kiyoda
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