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{{short description|Form of karate}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=June 2017}}
{{Missing information|'''''Shito-Ryu's introduction overseas (Americas, Europe etc)'''''|date=October 2021}}
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{{Infobox martial art group
| logo              = Logo Shito ryu.png
| logocaption       = 
| logosize          = 200px
| image             =
| imagecaption      =
| imagesize         =
| name              = Shitō-ryū <br />(糸東流)
| aka               =
| date founded      = 1934
| country           = [[Japan]]
| founder           = [[Kenwa Mabuni]] (1889&ndash;1952)
| head              = [[Mabuni Kenyu]]
| organization      = [[Seito Shito Ryu International Karate-do Kai ]]
| arts              = [[Karate]]
| ancestor_arts     = [[Shuri-te]], [[Naha-te]], and Go-Kenki influence
| ancestor schools  = [[Shuri-te]] and [[Naha-te]] 
| descendant_arts   = Shitō-kai • [[Shūkōkai]] • Kuniba-kai • Itosu-kai • Kenwa-Kai • Genbu-kai
| students          = 
| famous_pract = (see [[#Notable practitioners|notable practitioners]])
| website           =
}}
[[File:Mabuni_Kenwa.jpg|200px|right|thumb|[[Kenwa Mabuni]], the founder of Shitō-ryū Karate.]]

{{Nihongo|'''Shitō-ryū'''|糸東流|}} is a form of [[karate]] that was founded in 1934 by {{Nihongo|[[Kenwa Mabuni]]|摩文仁 賢和|Mabuni Kenwa}}. Shitō-ryū is synthesis of the [[Okinawan martial arts|Okinawan]] [[Shuri-te]] and [[Naha-te]] schools of karate and today is considered one of the four main styles of the art.<ref>{{cite web |title='Queens of kata' vying for gold as they kick off karate's Olympics debut |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/08/05/olympics/summer-olympics/karate/kata-karate-olympic-debut/ |website=[[Japan Times]] |date=5 August 2021 |access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref>

== History ==
Kenwa Mabuni (Mabuni Kenwa 摩文仁 賢和) was born in [[Shuri, Okinawa|Shuri]], [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] in 1889. Mabuni was a 17th generation descendant of the warrior [[Uni-Ufugusuku|Uni Ufugusuku Kenyu]].<ref>{{cite book |last = Hokama |first = Tetsuhiro |title = 100 Masters of Okinawan Karate |year = 2005 | page = 39 | publisher=Ozata Print | location=Okinawa }}</ref> He began his instruction in his home town in the art of {{Nihongo|[[Shuri-te]]|首里手}} at the age of 13, under the tutelage of {{Nihongo|[[Ankō Itosu]]|糸州 安恒|Itosu Ankō}} (1831–1915). He trained diligently for several years, learning many ''[[Kata (martial arts)|kata]]''. It was Itosu who first developed the [[Pinan|Pinan kata]], which were possibly derived from the ''Kusanku'' form.

One of his close friends, {{Nihongo|[[Chōjun Miyagi]]|宮城 長順|Miyagi Chōjun}} (founder of [[Gojū-ryū]] Karate) introduced Mabuni to another great of that period, {{Nihongo|[[Higaonna Kanryo|Kanryō Higaonna]]|東恩納 寛量|Higaonna Kanryō}}. Mabuni began to learn {{Nihongo|[[Naha-te]]|那覇手}} under him. While both Itosu and Higaonna taught a "hard-soft" style of Okinawan "Te", their methods and emphases were quite distinct: the Itosu syllabus included straight and powerful techniques as exemplified in the [[Naihanchi]] and [[Passai|Bassai]] kata; the Higaonna syllabus stressed circular motion and shorter fighting methods as seen in the kata [[Saifa|Seipai]] and [[Saifa|Kururunfa]].{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} Shitō-ryū focuses on both hard and soft techniques to this day.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

Although he remained true to the teachings of these two masters, Mabuni sought instruction from a number of other teachers, including [[Seishō Arakaki]], Tawada Shimboku, Sueyoshi Jino and Wu Xiangui (a Chinese white crane kung fu master known as Go-Kenki in Japanese). In fact, Mabuni was legendary for his encyclopaedic knowledge of ''kata'' and their ''[[bunkai]]'' applications. By the 1920s, he was regarded as the foremost authority on Okinawan ''kata'' and their history and was much sought after as a teacher by his contemporaries.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} There is even some evidence that his expertise was sought out in China, as well as in Okinawa and mainland Japan.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} As a police officer, he taught local law enforcement officers and at the behest of his teacher Itosu, began instruction in the various grammar schools in Shuri and [[Naha]].{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

In an effort to popularize karate in mainland Japan, Mabuni made several trips to [[Tokyo]] in 1917 and 1928.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} Although much that was known as ''Te'' (lit. "hand") or karate had been passed down through many generations with jealous secrecy, it was his view that it should be taught to anyone who sought knowledge with honesty and integrity. In fact, many masters of his generation held similar views on the future of Karate: [[Gichin Funakoshi]] (founder of [[Shotokan]]), another contemporary, had moved to Tokyo in the 1920s to promote his art on the mainland as well.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

By 1929, Mabuni had moved to [[Osaka]] on the mainland, to become a full-time karate instructor of a style he originally called Hanko-ryū, or "half-hard style". The name of the style changed to ''Shitō-ryū'', in honor of its main influences. Mabuni derived the name for his new style from the first [[kanji]] character from the names of his two primary teachers, Itosu and Higaonna (also called Higashionna). With the support of Ryusho Sakagami (1915–1993), he opened a number of Shitō-ryū [[dojo]] in the Osaka area, including one at [[Kansai University]] and the Japan Karatedō-kai dojo. To this day, the largest contingent of Shitō-ryū practitioners in Japan is centered in the Osaka area.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

Mabuni published a number of books on the subject and continued to systematize his instruction method. In his latter years, he developed a number of formal ''kata'', such as Aoyagi, for example, which was designed specifically for women's self-defense. To this day, Shitō-ryū recognizes the influences of Itosu and Higaonna: the ''kata'' syllabus of Shitō-ryū is still often listed in such a way as to show the two lineages.

==Succession==
Kenwa Mabuni died on May 23, 1952, and the lineage of the style was disputed between his two sons, Kenzo (1927-2005) and Kenei (1918–2015). Currently, the ''Shitō-ryū International Karate-dō Kai'' (also known as ''Seito Shitō-ryū'') lists Kenzō Mabuni as the second ''[[Sōke]]'' of Shitō-ryū,<ref>[http://www.seitoshitoryu.com/soke.html Kenzo Mabuni Soke] at seitoshitoryu.com {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230023242/http://www.seitoshitoryu.com/soke.html |date=December 30, 2007 }}</ref> while the ''World Shitō-ryū Karate-dō Federation'' (also known as ''Shitō-kai Shitō-ryū'') lists [[Kenei Mabuni]].<ref name=wskf>[http://www.karatedo.co.jp/shitokai/wskf/history/index.html History] at WSKF</ref> According to Japanese tradition, the eldest son is deemed the successor and inheritor of everything his father owned, including the title of Soke.<ref>file:///C:/Users/Sensei/Downloads/73-Artikeltext-100-1-10-20150204.pdf{{fcn|date=September 2024}}</ref> Kenei Mabuni was succeeded by his son, Kenyu Mabuni, as the third Soke of Shito-Ryu. Kenyu was anointed the next Soke (successor) of the system in an inauguration ceremony held on February 28, 2016, in Osaka, continuing his father's and his grandfather's work which is the spread of the original Shito ryu Karate do worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pelekis |first1=George |title=Soke Kenyu Mabuni |url=http://www.shitoryugreece.com/en/history/kenyu-mabuni |website=Shitokai Greece |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Shihan |title=Soke Kenyu Mabuni |url=http://ska.org.sg/3rd-soke-of-shitoryu-karatedo/ |website=Shitoryu Karate Association |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Soke Kenyu Mabuni |url=https://sites.google.com/site/internationalkenshikai/shitoryu/kenyu-mabuni |website=ISKK |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref> Additionally, Tsukasa Mabuni, daughter of Kenzo Mabuni, is the 3rd Soke of Seito Shito Ryu, inheriting the title from her father. Her organization is Shito Ryu International Karate Do Kai.

== Characteristics ==
Shitō-ryū is a combination style, which attempts to unite the diverse roots of karate. On one hand, Shitō-ryū has the physical strength and long powerful stances of Shuri-te derived styles, such as [[Shorin-ryū]] and [[Shotokan]] (松涛館); on the other hand, Shitō-ryū also
has the circular and eight-directional movements, breathing power, and hard and soft characteristics of Naha-te styles such as [[Uechi-ryū]] and [[Gōjū-ryū]] (剛柔流). Shitō-ryū is extremely fast, but still can be artistic and powerful. In addition, Shitō-ryū formalizes and emphasizes the five rules of defense, developed by [[Kenwa Mabuni]], and known as ''Uke no go gensoku'' (受けの五原則), ''Uke no go genri'' (受けの五原理), or ''Uke no go ho'' (受けの五法):<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shitokai.com/cyber-academy/principles-techniques/uke-no-go-gensoku-shito-ryus-five-principles-of-defense|title=Uke No Go Gensoku|publisher=Shitoryu Cyber Academy|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref>
* 落花 (''rakka'', "falling petals"). The art of blocking with such force and precision as to completely destroy the opponent's attacking motion. Examples of rakka are the most well-known blocks, such as ''gedan-barai'' (下段払い) or ''soto-uke'' (外受け).
* 流水 (''ryūsui'', "running water"). The art of flowing around the attacker's motion, and through it, soft blocking. Examples are ''nagashi-uke'' (流し受け) and ''osae-uke'' (押さえ受け).
* 屈伸 (''kusshin'', "elasticity"). This is the art of bouncing back, storing energy while recoiling from the opponent's attack, changing or lowering stance only to immediately unwind and counterattack. Classic examples are stance transitions ''zenkutsu'' (前屈立ち) to ''kōkutsu'' (後屈立ち) and ''moto-dachi'' (基立ち) to ''nekoashi-dachi'' (猫足立ち).
* 転位 (''ten'i'', "transposition"). ''Ten'i'' is the utilization of all eight directions of movement, most importantly stepping away from the line of attack.
* 反撃 (''hangeki'', "counterattack"). A ''hangeki'' defense is an attack which at the same time deflects the opponent's attack before it can reach the defender. Examples of this are various kinds of ''tsuki-uke'' (突き受け), including ''yama-tsuki'' (山突き).

Modern Shitō-ryū styles also place a strong emphasis on sparring. Shitō-ryū stresses speed and economy of movement, and fighting is generally initiated from a higher, more upright stance than Shotokan employs. On the other hand, because the style has a relatively high number of kata, a significant of time is spent perfecting forms.

== Style branches ==
Many derivative styles of Shitō-ryū developed after the death of Kenwa Mabuni. Notable branches started by his sons and students are:
<!-- Don't put club ads here!
     This list is for the styles made by Mabuni's sons and direct students.
     If the style has notable 2nd generation offshoots, it is notable enough for its own wiki page
     e.g. put styles made by Tani's students in [[Shukokai]] and by Kuniba's students in [[Seishinkai]] -->
* Sons
:*''Shitō-kai Shitō-ryū'': created by [[Mabuni Kenei]] and [[Manzo Iwata]], currently represented by [https://www.karatedo.co.jp/shitokai/ ''World Shitō-ryū Karate-dō Federation'']
:*''Seitō Shitō-ryū'': created by Kenzo Mabuni,<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.karatekobudo.com/karate/grand-masters/kenzo.htm
 |title=Kenzo Mabuni
 |website=karatekobudo.com
 |publisher=Shito-ryu International Karate-do Kai
 |access-date=2022-03-24}}</ref> currently represented by [https://www.seitoshitoryu.com/ ''Shitō-ryū International Karate-dō Kai'']
* Students
:*''Tani-Ha Shitō-ryū'': created by [[Chōjirō Tani]], a student of Kenwa Mabuni. This style is also known as [[Shūkōkai]]
:*''Motobu-ha Shito-Ryu'' was created by [[Shōgō Kuniba]], a student of Kenwa Mabuni. This style is also known as [[Seishinkai]]
;* ''Japan Karatedo Shobukan'' was created by Kyoshin Kayo,<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://shobukan.com.au/master-kyoshin-kayo/
 |title=Master Kayo
 |website=Shobukan.com.au
 |access-date=2022-06-12}}</ref> a student of Kenwa Mabuni.  This style is known as Shito-ryu Shobukan
;* Japan Karatedo Nobukawa-ha Shito-Ryu Kai.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karate-Do India Official Website – Japan Karate-Do Shito-Ryu International Renshikan – Nobukawa-Ha Shito-Ryu Kai-India {{!}} Japan Karate-Do Shito-Ryu International Renshikan |url=https://www.karatedoindia.com/ |access-date=2024-08-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> style founded by Kuniaki Nobukawa.
:*''Itosu-ryu'': created by Ryusho Sakagami,<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.shitoryu.org/bios/sakagami/sakagami.htm
 |title=Ryusho Sakagami
 |website=shitoryu.org
 |publisher=Karate-do Shito-Kai Canada
 |access-date=2022-03-24}}</ref> a student of Kenwa Mabuni, currently represented by [https://www.itosu-ryu.net/ Itosu-ryu Karatedo International Federation]
:*''Ogasahara-ha Shitō-ryū'', created by Eiji Ogasahara,<ref>{{cite web
::*Seizen Motobu Ha Shito Ryu by Vicente Valverde, a student of Shogo Kuniba
 |url=https://shitoryuscotland.wordpress.com/about/kenshukai-shitoryu
 |title=Kenshukai Shitoryu
 |website=shitoryuscotland.wordpress.com
 |date=9 September 2009
 |publisher=Siu Loong Kenshukai Shitoryu Karate-do
 |access-date=2022-03-24}}</ref> a student of Kenwa Mabuni. This style is also known as Kenshukai
:*Japan Karatedo Shito-Ryu International Renshikan <ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Website of Naresh Sharma, 6th Dan, Kyoshi 日本空手道信川派糸東会 {{!}} Nobukawa-ha Shitoryu Karatedo |url=http://shitoryukarateworld.com/ |access-date=2024-08-01 |language=en-US}}</ref>  founded by Kyoshi Naresh Sharma 
<!--
Some 2nd derivatives that were dropped - keeping as a TODO for mentions in [[Shukokai]], [[Seishinkai]], and possibly new pages
::*Hayashi-ha Shitō-ryū by Teruo Hayashi, a student of Kōsei Kokuba <-- belongs in [[Seishinkai]], of which he was president
::*Kurokawa-ha Shito-Ryu by Timothy M Brooks, a student of Teruo Hayashi <-- likewise
::*Kuniba-ha Shito Ryu <-- already covered in [[Shōgō Kuniba]]'s page, and could probably have extra coverage in [[Seishinkai]], if only to help differentiate them.
::*Nobukawa-ha by Kuniaki Nobukawa, a student of Chojiro Tani and Teruo Hayashi
::*Kurobayashi-ha Shito-ryu by Rudy Crosswell, a student of Shogo Kuniba, Teruo Hayashi and Kenzo Mabuni
::*Saito-ha Shitō-ryū by Del Saito, a student of Kenzo Mabuni 
::*Jikishinkai by Masayuki Shimabukuro, a student of both Teruo Hayashi and Kenzo Mabuni 
::*Suzuki-Ha Shito-Ryu by Seiko Suzuki, a student of Ryusho Sakagami
::*Nobukawa-Ha Shito-Ryu by Kuniaki Nobukawa, a student of Chojiro Tani and Teruo Hayashi
::*Shito-Ryu Karatedo Renshikan by Naresh Sharma, a student of Kuniaki Nobukawa

-->

==Techniques==
'''List of techniques''', used in the Shitō-ryū style of [[karate]]. Blocks, kicks and strikes can be [[jōdan]], [[chūdan]] or [[gedan]] and related to ''migi'' (right) or ''hidari'' (left).

=== Tachi (stances) ===
Source:<ref>{{cite web|title=Shitō-ryū Stances|url=http://www.shitoryu.org/skills/stances/stances.htm |access-date = 2012-02-12|publisher=Karate-do Shito-kai Canada}}</ref>

{{Div col|colwidth=35em}}
* [[Heisoku dachi]]: Toes & heels together, (closed foot stance), at "attention".
* [[Musubi dachi]]: Heels together, & toes apart, (open foot stance) "knot" shape.
* [[Heiko dachi]]: Feet apart, parallel (open, hip width).
* [[Hachiji dachi]]: Feet apart, toes pointing OUT at 45 degrees (open, shoulder width).
* Uchi-Hachiji dachi (Naifanchi Dachi): Feet apart, toes pointing IN at 45 degrees (open, shoulder width).
* Shiko dachi: Straddle leg, "Sumo" stance.
* Moto dachi: Front knee partially bent, forward stance (shorter than Zenkutsu dachi).
* Han-Zenkutsu Dachi : Little Bigger than moto dachi and shorter than Zenkutsu Dachi. 
* Heiko Sanchin Dachi : Little longer than Sanchin Dachi
* Soei Ashi Dachi : Front Leg bend with back leg heel raise. Reverse of Neko Ashi Dachi
* Zawan Dachi : Wider than Kosa Dachi
* [[Front stance|Zenkutsu dachi]]: Front knee bent, long forward stance.
* Nekoashi dachi: "Cat foot" stance.
* [[Sanchin dachi]]: Inward tension stance. ("Hour glass" stance.)
* Kōkutsu dachi: "Looking back" stance. ("Back stance".)
* Renoji dachi: Stance resembling the letter "L".
* "Tee"-ji dachi: Stance resembling the letter "T" upside down.
* Kosa dachi: "Hooked leg" stance.
* Sagiashi dachi: "Heron foot" stance (one-legged).
* Ukiashi dachi: Stance resembling Nekoashi dachi, but more upright in a loose floating leg stance.
{{div col end}}

=== Uke-waza (blocking techniques) ===
{{Div col|colwidth=35em}}
* Gedan barai uke (Hari uke): Low-level, downward block / sweeping block.
* Yoko uke (Soto uke): Block from inside (centre of body), towards outside.
* Yoko uchi (Uchi uke): Block from outside, towards inside (centre of body).
* Age uke: Rising, upper-level block.
* Yoko Barai uke: Side, sweeping block.
* Uchi Otoshi uke: Circular, inside drop (downward pushing) block.
* Tsuki uke: Simultaneous punching (forearm) block.
* Te Kubi Sasae uke: Augmented (supported) wrist block.
* Sukui uke: Scoop block.
* Shuto uke: "Knife-hand" block.
* Kosa uke: "X" block (wrists crossed).
* Hijisasae uke: Augmented (inside-middle) elbow block.
* Osae uke: Pressing down block.
* Kakewake uke: Reverse-wedge block.
* Nagashi uke: Cross-body open-hand flowing/sweeping block.
* Shiuko uke (Haishu Uke): Open-hand, back-hand block.
* Shotei uke (Teisho): Palm-heel block.
{{div col end}}

=== Uchi-waza (striking techniques) ===
{{Div col|colwidth=35em}}
* Seiken tsuki: Fore fist, straight punch (for basic practice).
* Oi tsuki: Lunge punch.
* Gyaku tsuki: Reverse hand punch.
* Furi tsuki: Circular/swinging (roundhouse) punch.
* Age tsuki: Rising punch.
* Kagi tsuki: Hook punch.
* Mae Te tsuki: Lead-hand (forward hand) jab-punch.
* Ura tsuki: Inverted (palm up), close punch.
* Morote tsuki: U-shape punch.
* Tate tsuki: Vertical fist punch.
* Nihon tsuki: Double punch.
* Shuto uchi: "Knife" (chopping) hand strike.
* Ura uchi: Back fist punch.
* Kentsui uchi: Bottom fist strike.
* Shotei (Teisho) uchi: Palm-heel strike.
* Haito uchi: Ridge-hand strike.
* Haishu uchi: Open back-hand strike.
* Hiji ate uchi: Elbow strike.
* Koken uchi: Bent wrist-hand strike.
{{div col end}}

=== Keri-waza (kicking techniques) ===
{{Div col|colwidth=35em}}
* Mae geri: Front (forward & return) kick.
* Oi geri: Stepping (lunging forward) kick.
* Yoko sokuto geri: Side (edge of foot) kick.
* Mawashi geri: Roundhouse kick (to front).
* Gyaku (Uchi) Mawashi geri: Reverse direction (inside) roundhouse kick.<ref name="ReferenceA">Nakahashi H.: Shito-Ryu Karaté-Do, SEDIREP France 1985</ref>
* Ura Mawashi geri: Back leg, hook kick to front (heel/ball of foot).
* Ushiro geri: Straight-back (backward) kick.
* Ushiro Mawashi geri: Spinning, back-roundhouse kick to front.
* Mae-ashi geri: Forward leg, front kick.
* Fumikomi geri: Stamping/thrusting kick.
* [[Hiza Geri]]: Knee cap kick.
* Ushiro-ura-mawashi geri: Spinning-back, roundhouse kick.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* Gyaku (Uchi) geri: Reverse (inside) roundhouse kick.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* Mae-tobi geri: Front (jumping/flying) kick.
* Yoko-tobi geri: Side (jumping/flying) kick.
{{div col end}}

== Notable practitioners ==
{{for|practitioners of Shitō-ryū|Category:Shitō-ryū practitioners}}
{{Dynamic list}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* '''[[Kenwa Mabuni]] (founder)'''
* [[Alexander Gerunov]]
* [[Antonio Díaz (karateka)]]
* [[Chuck Norris]]
* [[David Akutagawa]]
* [[Elisa Au]]
* [[Fumio Demura]]
* [[George Kotaka]]
* [[Gichin Funakoshi]]
* [[Gigo Funakoshi]]
* [[Harold Howard]]
* [[Isaac Florentine]]
* [[Kiyou Shimizu]]
* [[Mabuni Kenei]]
* [[Manzo Iwata]]
* Naresh Sharma
* [[Rika Usami]]
* [[Sakura Kokumai]]
* [[Sean Kanan]]
* [[Seth Petruzelli]]
* [[Shinpan Gusukuma]]
* [[Shōgō Kuniba]]
* [[Tanner Boser]]
* [[Yadira Lira]]
* [[Yasunari Ishimi]]
* [[Vicente Valverde]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Karate schools}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shito-Ryu}}
[[Category:Shitō-ryū| ]]
[[Category:Japanese martial arts]]