Kenwa Mabuni  1889-1952
   Was born in Shuri, the 17th generation descendant of one of the bravest

   warriors of Okinawan nobility.His main influences in Karate came from

   Ankoh Itosu, (Shuri-te) and Kaneryo Higaonna (Naha-te).Soke

   Kenwa Mabuni merged the skills he had learned from these two great masters

   and created his own style of Karate Shito-Ryu.The name 'Shito' is the

   combination of the two first characters of the names of Master Itosu and

    Master Higaonna. Mabuni Sensei moved to mainland Japan around 1927-28.

    Mabuni Sensei  also practiced Kobudo, with the most noted master on the isle,

    Sensei Sakumoto, and then with Master Aragaki in the use of the Bo and the Sai.

    Eventually accomplishing mastery in the usage of the Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Kama & Nunchaku