Mabuni Kenwa
Sensei
Sensei Kenwa
Mabuni (1889-1952) initially studied from 1902 under Sensei Anko Itosu of Shuri,
Okinawa
from the
age of 13.
From Itosu Sensei he learnt numerous kata that were known for their quick &
explosive techniques. In
1908 Mabuni's friend Chojun Miyagi recommended he come and also learn from his
teacher Sensei Kanryo Higaonna of Naha, Okinawa. From Higaonna Sensei he learnt
the powerful and circular techniques that later became the core of Sensei
Miyagi's style (Goju-Ryu).
In 1929
Mabuni Sensei moved
to mainland Japan with his family and finally settled in Osaka. In 1934 he
established his dojo the Yoshu-Kan and in 1939 formally registered his karate
style as Shito-Ryu, naming it after both his masters. The technical
system of Shito-Ryuis based on both Itosu and Higaonna teachings and also draws
from other teachers that Mabuni Sensei had the honour of studying under.
Sakagami Ryusho Sensei
Sensei Ryusho
Sakagami (1915-1993), having studied Shito-Ryu under Sensei Mabuni for many
years was presented with the 3rd Shito-Ryu Shihan licence by Mabuni Sensei in
1941. Sakagami Sensei received numerous commendation and was presented by the Japan
Budo Society the Distinguished Service Award in a field of Budo on
January 15th 1982
. On
August 19th 1992
the Japan Karatedo Rengokai bestowed upon him
Karatedo 10th Dan.
Unfortunately Sakagami Sensei passed away at
the age of 78 on
December 28th 1993
. At the time of his passing he held the
following qualifications, Kendo Hanshi 7th Dan, Jodo Kyoshi 7th Dan, Iaido
Hanshi 8th Dan and Ryukyu Kobudo Hanshi Shihan 8th Dan. On
22nd June 1994
the JKF bestowed upon him Karatedo Hanshi 9th
Dan posthumously. He
produced many famous karate-ka during his time such as Suzuki-Shihan the founder
of Seiko-Kai Shito-Ryu and Shihan Fumio Demura founder of Genbu-Kai Shito-Ryu
Suzuki Seiko
Sensei
Seiko-Kai, a branch of the Shito-Ryu style,
was founded by Seiko Suzuki, of Shinkoiwa Tokyo. Suzuki Sensei
commenced his training in Karate in 1954 under Sakagami Sensei. In 1957 Sakagami
Sensei relocated from Tokyo
to
Yokohama
and left Suzuki Sensei to run the
Tokyo
dojo. In 1963 he commenced study of Ryu Kyu
Kobudo under Shinken Taira Sensei.In 1965 Sakagami Sensei presented
Suzuki Sensei with his Karate-do Shihan certificate. In 1968 he was awarded 7th
Dan Kyoshi in Kobudo by Shinken Taira Sensei.
Sensei Sakagami awarded him 8th Dan Hanshi in
Itosu-Ryu in 1980. Subsequently in 1992, Sensei Suzuki was also awarded by the
Japan Karate Rengo-Kai his 8th Dan “Hanshi” certificate. After Sensei
Sakagami's passing in 1993, Suzuki Sensei decided to form his own organisation,
the Suzuki-Ha Shito-Ryu Nihon Karatedo Seiko-Kai.
Seiko-Kai has its Sohombu (Headquarters) dojo
located in Shinkoiwa, Tokyo Japan, there are Seiko-Kai dojo in Canada, United
States, Venezuela, Argentina, Ghana, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines,
Portugal, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia.
