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Ryusho Sakagami
[ Founder, Itosu-Ryu ]

The Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma brought a system of martial arts to China, which eventually spread to the small strategic island of Okinawa. When the island was annexed by Japan and all weaponary was banned, the art of bare handed fighting (karate) developed. This occured primarily around the three cities of Shuri, Naha and Tomari. The martial artists of each city developed their own peculiarities, and three slightly distinct styles of fighting developed. All authentic styles of karate thus trace themselves back to one of more of these cities.

The village of Tomari consisted largely of fisherman. When Okinawa was later made a full prefecture in Japan, the villagers went back to earning a living, and the martial arts sytem of this city was largely absorbed by the systems of Shuri and Naha.

Shuri-te comes down to us today as the style 'Shorin-Ryu', while Naha-te comes down to us as 'Goju-Ryu'. One martial artist, Kenwa Mabuni, learnt both systems, and passed them down together as a combined style called 'Shito-Ryu'. After his death, his senior student, Ryusho Sakagami, continued the tradition in the style known as 'Itosu-Kai' or 'Itosu-Ryu'. Today, this organization is lead by his son, Sadaaki Sakagami.

See this article for a detailed history of Itosu-Kai.

Many clubs include modern "kihon katas" in their training syllabus to teach the basics. It is interesting to note that the ancient masters considered different katas as kihon. In the words of Chojun Miyagi Sensei, "Sanchin, tensho and naifanchi are all kihon kata that serve as practices for cultivating a strong physique while encouraging a budo spirit. Without expounding upon each specific exercise, students learn to regulate their breath while coordinating it with the use of their power in a correct posture."

[link] Shito-Ryu Kata List
[link] Shito-Kai Glattal Kata List
[link] WKF Kata List

[link] Kata of the Shito-Ryu Style

[link] Itosu-Kai Japan
[link] Itosu-Kai Canada
[link] Itosu-Kai Canada (Hombu)
[link] Itosu-Kai Canada (Alberta)
[link] Okinawa Karate
[link] Okinawa Prefectural Government Karate Site

These videos are made by other organizations, and are freely viewable.

[link] 34 Shito-Ryu (Shito-Kai) Katas
[link] Shorin-Ryu (Matsubayashi) Katas
[link] Old Shotokan Katas (black 'n white)
[link] Shotokan Katas
[link] Uechi Ryu Katas

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Please send comments to Ajit Krishnan ( webmaster _at_ mudgala.com )
Last updated Jan 2005. Copyright Ajit Krishnan [ 1999 - 2005 ]

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