It took a lot of hard work and scheduling to get Shihan to meet
with Mr. Jose Fraguas of Empire Publications. But it was worth it
and long overdue, Shihan really expressed alot of Budo spirit during
the photo shoot and interview. More to come...... 9/23/09

Mabuni, Kenwa (1889-1952)

Kenwa Mabuni was born on the island of Okinawa in 1889. Mabuni was a descendent
of the Okinawan warrior class whose ancestors served the Okinawan lords for hundreds
of years. At the age of 13, he began his martial arts instruction under Yasutsune Itosu
in the village of Shuri. He also began to study Naha-te under Kanryo Higaonna, who was
introduced to him by a childhood friend, Miyagi Chojun. These men were the highest authorities
of karate at that time, and were the founders of two schools of Okinawan Karate, Shorin-Ryu
and Shorei-Ryu. Both of these instructors passed away when Mabuni was in his late 20's.

Mabuni Sensei was the ichiban-Deshi of Itosu Sensei, succeeding him as the second master
of Itosu-Kai. He continued his studies after the death of these great masters, becoming
adept at traditional Okinawan weaponry while also incorporating elements of Chinese Kung Fu
into his style. Mabuni's thirst for knowledge prompted him to develop an extensive body of
karate information. The defining characteristics of Sensei Mabuni's karate was its large number
of kata, the versatility of its fighting techniques and the inclusion of Okinawan weapons in its
instruction. Mabuni Sensei had an insatiable appetite for kata, studying with masters such as
Arakaki Kamadeunchu (1840-1918), from whom he learned the Unshu, Niseishi, Sochin, Arakaki
no Sai and Arakaki no Kon kata's.

In 1929, after compulsory military service and a career as a police officer, Mabuni Sensei left
Okinawa for Osaka, Japan to teach Itosu-kai. He blended the teachings of Shuri-te and Naha-te
to create Shito-Ryu. He formed this name by taking the first ideogram from the names of his two
teachers, Sensei Itosu and Higaonna. In this way, he chose to honor and respect his great teachers.

Because of his contribution to Japanese culture and society, Kenwa Mabuni was bestowed by the
emperor with the family crest (Mon) of the circle with four bars. This was a great honor, as no
other family could claim the use of this symbol. When the Kanji for Shito-Ryu is placed within the
Mon, the symbol for the historical lineage of Shito-Ryu karate is formed. This symbol represents
the pure, unaltered tradition of the Shito-Ryu.

Reproduced with permission of Sam Moledzki, President Karate-do Shito-kai Canada. 

   
  Manzo Iwata (1924 - 1993)
MANZO IWATA (1924 - 1993) was born in Tokyo, Japan , February 9, 1924. At the early age of 10,
Manzo Iwata was first introduced to the Martial Art of Shito-ryu Karate by the manager of his families
tea business (Iwata-en Tea Co.). While attending Jr. High School he also learned Judo and Kendo. A good
friend of Manzo's grandfather, Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of AIKIDO, would teach Manzo when he would
frequently stop by to visit. While enrolled at To-Yo University in Tokyo, in 1941, at the approximate age
of 18, Manzo Iwata began training in Karate-do directly under the guidance of Grandmaster Kenwa Mabuni,
the founder of Shito-ryu Karate-do.
 Shihan Iwata recalled that Master Mabuni had learned many Kata (fighting patterns) in the quest for the
essence of Karate-do. He was the first to introduce 'Bunkai Kumite' and defined the meaning of each Kata
for transmission to the next generation. Both Master Mabuni and Shihan Iwata were among the early pioneers
that experimented with protective equipment for sparring practice (Bogu Kumite), but found them to be too
restrictive and cumbersome, and eventually discarded the idea.
 Manzo Iwata Shihan felt it wasn't necessary for anyone to watch him personally train because he believed
this training was for self-development and not an open demonstration of his considerable abilities. He learned
long ago from Master Mabuni the fundamental basics of Shito-ryu Karate lie in the simple, practical and logical
approach to self-defense. This he pointed out was clearly demonstrated in the explanation of techniques that
incorporate the proper concentration of power (both strong and weak) combined with the correct attitude.
During the next few years Iwata Shihan also continued his training as 'UCHI-DESHI' (principal disciple) with
Master Fujita, and in 1948, was personally directed to accept all the hereditary knowledge and assume the
leadership of Nanban Sato-ryu Kenpo, (a Jujutsu-like grappling combat system) including, Shingetsu-Ryu
SHURIKEN JUTSU (throwing-projectile art).
  He stressed that Shito-ryu Karate-do was a system that was composed of logical and practical techniques
which utilized a minimum of wasted movement to produce the maximum effect without unnecessary wasted
energy. This, he firmly believed could be easily accomplished by constantly striving to achieve the proper
Kamae and correct positions of techniques and Kata form. Master Iwata continued the further development of
Shito-ryu Karate-do through many of his students which included Genzo Iwata, his son, (Chief instructor - Iwata
Hombu Dojo) and Shihan Kunio Murayama (Chief Technical Director - Mexico), just to mention a few. On March
20-21, 1993, the inaugural formation of the WORLD SHITO-RYU KARATE-DO FEDERATION and the 1st. World
Shito-ryu Karate-do Championships were held at the Tokyo Budokan, in Ayase, Japan.
 Reproduced with permission of Sam Moledzki, President Karate-do Shito-kai Canada.
                                 
Shihan Kunio Murayama was born on June 31, 1944 in Miyagi, Japan. His education in Shito-ryu karate
began in 1962 when he was enrolled at Toyo University Karate Club under the direction of Master
Manzo Iwata a direct student of Grand Master Kenwa Mabuni founder of the Shito-Ryu Karate System.
Originally from Tokyo, Japan and attending Toyo University. According to Shihan, he mentioned that
originally Motobu, Choki taught at this same dojo. After Motobu's teachings, Mabuni, Kenwa began to
teach at this site.
 He received his 1st degree black belt in Shito-ryu Karate-do
in 1963 and continued to train at the University even after he
graduated with an economics degree in 1966. From 1966 through
1968 Kunio Murayama served as captain and coach at the Toyo
University Karate Club. His enthusiasm, hard work and diligent
training allowed him to become "UCHI-DESHI" (live-in-disciple) under
Master Manzo Iwata from 1968-1970, where he received his 'Menkyo'
(teaching certificate) directly from Master Iwata.
 During 1970, Master Iwata asked Murayama Sensei to help further
the development of Shito-Ryu Karate-do by moving to Mexico and
establishing a permanent facility in Mexico. Later that year Murayama
Shihan was appointed Technical Director of the Mexican National Karate
Team that competed at the 1st. WUKO World Karate do Championships,
in Tokyo, Japan.  After returning from the WUKO World Championships,
Murayama Shihan continued to establish a good following and began
teaching in Monterrey, Mexico. Murayama Shihan expanded his organization by officially
accepting Sensei Ted Rabino into the W.S.K.F Shito-Kai organization. Many thanks to Sensei
Sam Moledzki in sponsoring Mr. Rabino during his years of official probation before being
welcomed into the Murayama Family of Shito-Kai. Mr. Murayama, and Mr. Moledzki always
treated the transition as a Family and not an organization, this is what made the difference
in being welcomed! This would be the First USA Dojo accepted into the Shito-Kai Murayama
Karate Organization which further increased his branch clubs in foreign countries. We presently
have schools Missouri, Illinois, California and in Arizona.
Courtesy of Sam Moledzki, President, Karate-do Shito-Kai, Canada (www.shitoryu.org).                  
       
  Murayama Shihan awarding Charlie Dengel with his
  Shodan. 
             
Murayama, Shihan's Lineage 
 Mabuni, Kenwa  ----> Iwata, Manzo ------>Murayama, Kunio     







      
       
 Ted Rabino Sr.                          Shihan Genzo Iwata teaching an Instructor training class
                                                       in Monterrey, Mexico. Kata taught was Nipaipo
 
 Mr Rabino began his training in Judo in 1966 under Watenabe, K. Sensei of Phoenix, Az - Judo.
Karate training began in 1972 - Okinawan Kobayashi-ryu, received Shodan (1976). Initial
training in Shito-ryu in 1983 in Motobu-Ha Shito-ryu under both Shihan Bayani Adlawan, and
Soke Shogo Kuniba (Seishin-Kai Karate Union). Western region representative for Soke Kuniba
teaching Motobu-Ha Shito-ryu, and receiving Shidoin teaching license under the Japan Budo
Association - Osaka, Japan. 
 Presently standing member of World Shito-ryu Karate-Do Federation, and U.S.A. representative
under the direction of Shihan Kunio Murayama. Current rank Roku-Dan 6th Degree Black belt
authorized by Governor Soke Ken-ei Mabuni and W.S.K.F President Kaicho Tokio Hisatomi.
 We currently have representatives in Arizona, Missouri, Illinois, California, and Texas.


 INTERNATIONAL SHITO-KAI GROUP / MEXICO, JAPAN, USA, CANADA
(left to right) Murayama, Alonzo (Mexico)- Iwata, Genzo (Japan) - 
Rabino, Ted (USA) Moledzki, Sam (Canada)- Pronovost, André (Canada) 2003