Mabuni Kenwa (摩文仁 賢和 4 November 1889~23 May 1952)

Karate legend Mabuni Kenwa, born in 1889 to a shizoku family in Okinawa, grew up immersed in martial tradition. Under the stern tutelage of masters Anko Itosu and Higaonna Kanryo, he learned karate’s two great streams: the power-driven Shuri-te and the flowing Naha-te. Mabuni’s devotion led him to blend these into Shito-ryu, a style as comprehensive as it was demanding, honoring both his teachers by fusing their names into its own. In the late 1920s, he moved to Japan’s mainland, spreading karate as more than combat—emphasizing mental discipline and respect. His extensive kata knowledge preserved ancient forms, and his legacy endures as a beacon for martial artists worldwide, inspiring physical skill and personal growth alike.