| Shito-Ryu was founded by the late
Grandmaster Kenwa Mabuni (1889 - 1952) who originated from Shuri in
Okinawa, Japan. Kenwa Mabuni was the 17th generation of Kenyu Oshiro,
one of the bravest warriors of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Mabuni learnt from 2
renowned masters in Karate-Do history, Ankoh Itosu of Shuri and Kanryo
Higaonna of Naha. From Itosu, he mastered the quick lightning-like
techniques and from Higaonna, he mastered the slow techniques
emphasising dynamic breathing and muscular control. He also learnt from
Aragaki and Matsumara as well as the Gokenki (White Crane) system from
China.
Mabuni enjoyed the priviledge of
learning from great masters, unlike his contemporaries who learnt from
one master, 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 patterms). Shito-Ryu KATAs 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, Ken Ei Mabuni (70+ years) and Kenzo Mabuni
(60+ years) who are currently this Association's Grandmasters.
Malaysian
Association of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do -
MASK
Shito-Ryu Karate-Do
pioneered the Karate-Do activity in the country when Yoshimasa Ishikawa
Sensei from Osaka first taught around mid 1966.
He was succeeded by Toshio Yoneda
Sensei (1966 - 1967) and Hidetoshi Mori Sensei (1967 - 1969).
MASK, the regulating, coordinating,
controlling and governing body or Shito-Ryu Karate-Do is a founder
member of the Malaysia Karate-do Federation (MAKAF) and has contributed
immensely to the development and promotion of Karate-do, both in the
technical as well as the administrative aspects.
MASK is a strictly non-commercialised organisation. The
training provided by MASK
encompasses physical, mental and spiritual training, subscribing to the
concept and philosophy of BUDO.
MASK has played host to trainees
from other countries worldwide.
M.A.S.K. adopts an open minded
attitude and approach in it's efforts to promote Karate-do. The
difference in Ryu-Ha has never made
MASK fall short of accommodating and cooperating sincerely
with all styles of Karate-do.
MASK's team of qualified and authorized senior instructors
comprise of those who have devoted an average of two decades or their
lives for Karate-do.
Under these Senior Instructors are
the normal instructors and assistant instructors who congregate every
weekend to learn the finer points of Karate-do.
In pursuit of better knowledge of
Karate-do and to keep abreast with the developments worldwide and
innovations in techniques,
MASK's Senior Instructors make regular trips abroad. |
