Shito-Ryu Karate
Shito-Ryu Karate was developed by Kenwa Mabuni (1890-1954), an Okinawan karate master who studied both the styles of Naha-Te (which developed into Gojuryu Karate) and Shuri-Te (which developed into Shorinryu). Shito Ryu was formed by the combination of the kata and techniques of these two styles. Mr Mabuni combined japanese syllables of his two main teachers, Ankoh Itosu (of Shuri-Te) and Kanryo Higaonna (Naha-Te) to honor them when he developed his own style, Shito-Ryu, which he started to teach when he moved to Osaka, Japan.
Characteristic for Shito-Ryu Karate are the square-on stances and linear strikes. Traditional Okinawan weapons are also taught in the Shito-Ryu style of karate.
Shihan Fumio Demura
The most famous exponent of Shito Ryu is Fumio Demura, a student of Ryusho Sakagami, who himself was a student of Kenwa Mabuni. Fumio Demura popularised and introduced the style to the world. Today, he is the chief instructor of Shito-Ryu Karate Do Genbu-Kai, and lives in the United States.
Mr Demura has written several books - on both Shito-Ryu Karate and traditional Okinawan martial arts weapons. Martial arts weapons that Demura has written about include the Sai, Nunchaku and Tonfa.
Origin of Shito Ryu: Okinawa
Founder of Shito Ryu: Mabuni Kenwa
Popularised by: Fumio Demura
Zach Irving said:
Hi, My name is Zach. I am a member of Shito Ryu (yellow belt), and I think this is a really good website. I have met Sensei Demura, and I think this […] more
Israel Soto Salcido said:
Hi there, I am mexican, I have been training karate for 5 years, I al most be black belt, so, I think the shiro tyu is one of the reals karate, i mean […] more
Meen prasad pokhrel said:
Dear sir . I live in Nepal . Iam a senior karate coach aswell as international karate player. siir i am so much eager to attend the any semina […] more
Robert said:
Hi, regarding Demura and Shito-Ryu, you fail to mention that he was kicked out of Sakagami’s organization and expelled for dishonest and dishonourable […] more
J MacGowan said:
I am kind of confused as to why you would identify Fumio Demura as one of the most famous Shito Ryu stylists, especially when as a resident of Perth W […] more
Markus said:
Believe it or not, I once was vice-president of the said UWA Karate club (Shito Ryu) that prides itself to receive tuition from Sensei Kayo, in Perth, […] more
Michael said:
i was wondering if there is way to instant message or chat with someone here? im new here. realy cool site!
sasidhar goud said:
hai, I am from india and I am a black belt student of my sensai. I respect my sensai when I join in shito ryu. I already learnt takwa-do I don’t its […] more
narendhra said:
hai iam naren iam from india , iam a black-belt student. i love karate, i want 2 learn all types of arts, i will learn defnately.
Tony Villareeal said:
I teach Motobu ha shito ryu karate. I live in Mt.vernon,IL 62864 If anyone would like more info on this style of karate or Goshin budo jiujitsu plea […] more
shirley holzman said:
I am new to karate-my black belt sister talked me into it. Am hooked
Joe said:
I have been on the periphery of this too long. I am a practictioner of Shitoryu Itosu Kai for over 30 years. Fumio Demura was expelled from Itosu Ka […] more
Deepak Rajesh said:
Hi I am DEEPAK RAJESH from chennai and I am from shitoryu family. I love to be a karate student because of my MASTER SENSAI Dr.A.M.GOPALAN. He is the […] more
andrew scott said:
Hi my name is andrew scott. I am a student of sensei vickers of manchester and ashton sukokai karate. I hope to take my dan some time this year. I tra […] more
HPM Rangajeewa said:
Hello! I am HPM Ragajeewa Karate coach in Sri Lanka. My Association is ‘Sri Lanka Black Dragon Karate Organition’. In our Organition has around 1000 s […] more
Dana Buchman said:
Fumio Demura does run an excellent tournament - in teh past one he organized was at the LA Japan Expo each year. As an aside on Shito-ryu history we h […] more
girish sonawane said:
Hi I am a1st degree black belt in shito-ryu karate. I like teaching katas. I stay at new panvel , navi mumbai.
jason cahill said:
Last week I enrolled my son in Matsukazi Shito-Ryu. He is thrilled. I have learned a great deal about this style from the site. I know nearly nothing […] more
D. M. G. said:
my name is dalan, i’ve been studying under shito-ryu karate for 4 years now. i test for my black belt in the summer. this is one of the REAL styles th […] more
lampard08 said:
wado ryu is better! [Eire!]
Brian Eckman said:
Hi Dalan Shon & I are working on opening a Dojo in I.F. as a joint venture this summer. We enjoy teaching your family and appreciate what you […] more
Kathryn said:
What is the minimum age for a student to get his black belt? I have a problem as 2 students that are 11 years old and don’t know the kata are going fo […] more
Akai Shizuku said:
Hi, my name is Akai Shizuku and I used to practice shito-ryu karate…But I couldn’t afford it, and now I can so I want to get back into it. I also re […] more
Stoker said:
Dalan do you happen to know Selena? I’m a friend of hers just for the info, I study under a different style but was wondering when the competition you […] more
Keith said:
Robert “Maybe” if you truly understood the entire scope of Demura Shihan and Itosu-Kai, then maybe you wouldn’t make such statements. I read the di […] more
Keith said:
Maybe it’s because noone has ever heard of Kyoshin Kayo……
Keith said:
Kathryn Honestly, I do not feel 11 year olds should get “black” belts. In our Dojo, anyone under 18 wears a “red” belt the equivilant to an adult “ […] more
Steve vanWormer said:
I took your advice and read the letter of expulsion first. I then did some research on Fumio Demura trying to discover for why he IS so “venerated.” […] more
syed taukir said:
i wish to learn karate and i am in chennai.
Mithilesh Vidyarthi said:
Hello, This is Mithilesh Vidyarthi from Delhi,India.I am a student of Shito-Ryu Karate since 9 years but still I am searching for genuine Mas […] more
randall said:
My name is randall and ive been studing shito ryu for a few months and have known sensai demura for almost my whole life, if any one gets the chance t […] more
canto_arena said:
“…regarding Demura and Shito-Ryu, you fail to mention that he was kicked out of Sakagami’s organization and expelled for dishonest and dishonourab […] more
Moises said:
Im a MMA (Mixed Martial Artists) now, but three years ago i was a complete Shito Ryu fighter wich i practiced for 5 years, i live in nicaragua now, i […] more
MJ said:
Hello, Can someone tell us something about Kukoshin Karate? I heard it is a rough karate style and may be the toughest among all karate styles. is […] more
Cam Steuart said:
You should learn your facts before you run your mouth. Demura Sensei was not expelled; he resigned. And as far as the reasons stated they are false. M […] more
Cam Steuart said:
Joe Barrau wrote ” I had the dubious pleasure of meeting him and his entourage of franchised karate instructors at various seminars and functions.” […] more
Kaitlyn said:
Hey Im Kaitlyn, I have been a member of the Shotokan Karate for years and have almost recieved my blackbelt!!! I am only 13 years old too! Butthis sit […] more
kyokushin Fighter 7689 said:
hey MJ Kyokushin is a very fast bare knuckle style focusing on roundhouse kicks and reverse punches. I recommend it to all.
Sabarinath said:
Hi i am sabarinath from india. This site is too good. but we must spread this art in all over the world. at presently i am in US. i am trying to find […] more
Hassan Shathir said:
Please tell I am a 33 year old Maldivian and I want learn Karate for self defence purpose. Tell me how I can join the course, fees and how can I arra […] more
Misra said:
Tell me How?
Eric Landrum said:
Hi. I’m a student from 25 or more years ago. I studied under Sensei Dowden in Conyers Ga at a dojo afilliated with the National Karate and Jujitsu U […] more
josh said:
hi i was wondering is there a way to find a dojo around my area they use to teach shito ryu at my school but they stoped and as such ive lost my work […] more
sharon m said:
Hi Great site, I train under Shihan Fumio Demura in the UK, we are part of Genbu-Kai Karate-Do Shito-Ryu Group, There are some intresting comments an […] more
kushal shrestha said:
dear sir it is the most old martail art of the worls and it is famous all over the world so one branch is also in nepal it os very good and it is a mo […] more
Pat Hurley said:
It would be great if this site could list all dojo’s, in all karate styles, by city and state. When we were planning a move to Tucson AZ a few years […] more
shashwat said:
I like practising shito ryu karate and I LOVE it.