L/R Phil (England), Andre (Quebec Shibucho) Ted Rabino (U.S.A. Shibucho)  (Eng) Brian Jarvis
         Kneeling Moledzki, Sam Sensei (Canada Shibucho)
       

 Rabino Sensei is a 5th Dan in Shito-ryu and the USA Shibucho (Branch Director under
Murayama, Kunio Shihan). Sensei instructs all classes with the assistance of Sempai
Wayne Eitel and David Ong at the Downtown Phoenix Asian Arts Center Dojo. He is the official representative of Murayama, Kunio Shihan in the United States under the auspices
of the World Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation WSKF.

L/R Dave Ong, T.Rabino

              SHITO-RYU FOUNDER  MABUNI, KENWA 

HISTORY OF SHITO-KAI KARATE-DO
March, 1934    The founder Mabuni, Kenwa Soke established his Dojo in
Osaka, Japan. Mabuni Soke named his style of karate-do Shito-Ryu after 
both of his martial art teachers, Itosu Sensei and Higaonna Sensei.

March, 1939     Shito-Kai was registered at the headquarters of Dai Nippon 
Butoku Kai. In July, Dai Nippon Karate-Do Kai started, later it changed its 
name to Japan Karate-Do Kai.

May, 1952        On the founder Mabuni, Kenwa Soke death occurred. Mabuni,
Kenei Soke succeeded to the second head of Shito-Ryu.

Nov, 1960        Manzo Iwata became the President of the Japan Karate-Do Kai 
in the Eastern Japan headquarters. At the same time, Mabuni, Kenei Soke became 
the President of the Western Japan headquarters.

?, 1964            At the founder Mabuni, Kenwa Soke's 13th Anniversary of 
being decease. The All Japan Karate-Do Shito-Ryu Championship was held 
by the United Eastern and Western Shito-Kai District Dojo. In same year, 
the All Japan Karate-Do Federation was established and the Shito-Ryu 
karate-do joined into the organization. On establishment of All Japan 
Karate-Do Federation Shito-Kai, Eiichi Tanaka became a President, Iwata, 
Manzo Hanshi and Mabuni, Kenei Soke became vice-presidents.

Feb 1st, 1980    On President Tanaka, Eiichi's death, Shito-kai's  
organizational structure changed as follows; Mabuni, Kenei Soke as an 
Honorary President - Iwata, Manzo as President and Tsujikawa, Sadachika 
as Vice-President.

March, 1993       The World Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation was established 
and the 1st Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Championship was held at the Tokyo Budo Kan.

SHITO-KAI HISTORICAL INFORMATION
  The style of Shito-Ryu karate-do was founded by Mabuni, Kenwa Soke 
(1889 - 1952) who originated this particular form of karate-do in Osaka, 
Japan. Soke was originally from Shuri, Okinawa. Soke was the 17th 
generation of Kenyu Oshiro of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Mabuni trained under
two of the most renowned Bujutsu Hanshi's (Master Instructors) in Karate-do 
history, Itosu, Yasutsune (Ankoh) of Shuri, Okinawa and Kanryo Higashionna 
of Naha, Okinawa. 
 From Itosu, Soke absorbed the fast external Chinese-like techniques of the 
Shuri, Okinawa syllabus. And from Higashionna, Soke absorbed the internal 
tensioned  techniques displaying the dynamic breathing and muscular control. 
Soke also trained under such notables as Aragaki, Seisho and Matsumora as 
well as the Gokenki (White Crane) system from Southern China.

  Mabuni enjoyed the privilege of learning from great masters, unlike his 
contemporaries who trained from one teacher, either Itosu or Higaonna. 
Using the best and proven of all the techniques he had mastered, Mabuni 
formed the Shito-Ryu system, named after Itosu (pronounced Shi in Japanese 
characters) and Higaonna (pronounced To in Japanese characters).

 Till today, Mabuni is well known throughout the world as a great 
Karate-Do grandmaster. He inherited and formulated more than 60 Kata 
(forms or patterns). Shito-Ryu Kata's have now become the choice of 
Karate-Do enthusiasts worldwide, especially amongst competitors, most of 
whom perform Shito-Ryu Kata to become national, continental and world 
champions. Amongst Mabuni's surviving disciples are his 2 sons Mabuni, 
Kenei and Mabuni, Kenzo.