Shito-Ryu: (SHEE TOE- ROO) is the style of Karate-Do that we practice. It was founded by a prominent karate master named Kenwa Mabuni. Mr. Mabuni studied under two different masters, Master Itosu and Master Higaonna. Each one studied a different style of karate. Mr. Mabuni combined their styles and took the first two kanji (chinese characters) from each of the masters names which spells Shito. The word Ryu means style. The two styles that form Shito-Ryu is a Shuri-te style from Master Itosu and Naha-te stlye from Master Higaonna. Because Shito-Ryu was created from two different styles, It gives the practitioner much more to study. It is rich in lineage, has the widest variety of Kata (forms) among the Japanese styles, and practices the principles of both styles. Shito Ryu is among the 4 major styles of Karate-Do in Japan and the world today.
