Shitokai Europe

The founder of school Kenwa Mabuni

November 14, 1889 - Born in Syuri, Okinawa.
1903 - At age of 14,he became a disciple of Ankou Itosu Sensei, the great master of Syuri-Te.
1908 - At age of 19, he learned Naha-Te at Kanryou Higaonna with an　introduction from Tyoujyun Miyagi.
After graduation from junior high school, he became an police officer,and learned Bou-Jyutsu, Sai-Jyutsu, and Sueishi-Ryu Boujyutu of Ryukyu's traditional martial arts.
1915 - At age of 26, full mastership in Karate was given to him by both his teachers, Itosu Sensei and Higaonna Sensei.
1916 - At age of 27, he opened Do-Jo at his house.
1918 - He established Karate Study Society. Later, he changed its organization and name to Okinawa Karate Study Club.
April, 1929 - At age of 41, he moved to Osaka, and opened Do-Jo on Tsurumi Bashi Dori, Nishinari Ward. He eagerly diffused Karate.
1934 - He opened Karate Do-Jo, You Shu Kan in Osaka and he named Shito-Ryu after both his teachers, Itosu Sensei and Higaonna Sensei.
March, 1939 - He registered Shito-Ryu with Dai Nippon Butoku kai.
In July, the title, Karate Trainer, was given to him by Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.
May 23, 1952 - Passed away at age of 63
The head of school Kenei Mabuni.

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2nd Soke Kenei Mabuni

February 13, 1918 - Born in Syuri as a first-born son of Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu.
From his childhood, he got Karate lessons from his father, Kenwa.
1945 - After WW2, he taught and practiced Karate with Kenwa.
May 23, 1952 - On Kenwa Mabuni's death, he succeeded to the second head of Shito-Ryu.
1962 - He visited Mexico to teach Karate. He also taught in Guatemala,Honduras, USA and in many countries of the world from that moment.
1972 - He became an first grade referee of All Japan Karate-Do Federation.
January 15, 1984 - The Japan Martial Arts Distinguished Service Medal was given by Nihon Budo Kyougi Kai.
March 17, 1993 - World Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation was established and he became its president.
December 19, 2015 - Passed away at age of 97.

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3rd Soke Kenyu Mabuni

On 4th June 1951, Kenyu was born as the first son to Shito-ryu Second Soke Kenei in Nishi-ku, Osaka city.
From his earlier years of childhood, he was taken to dojo in Ikue-cho, Asahi-ku by his grandfather Kenwa and his father Kenei and was raised there while they were practicing.
At the age of 3, he was taught karate by Kenei at their home in Ichioka, Minato-ku.
In the years of Ichioka Elementary School, he practiced karate together with his cousins at dojo.
In the years of Konan Junior High School, he was also taught Sai and Kon, and in the years of Otemae High School, Kukishinryu Bojutsu from his father.
Also in the high school years, he was involved in starting a Karate club at school but could not gain permission from his father because of difference in style, thus abandoned karate activities in high school.
In the years of Nagoya Institute of Technology and Graduate School of Tokyo Institute of Technology, he left home and concentrated on his research and so he practiced karate on his own for a while.
In 1979, he received Master's Degree at Graduate School of Tokyo Institute of Technology and started to work at a consultant company.
During his career as a consultant, he went abroad for business and was able to come into contact with karate activities and enthusiasm towards karate which made him resume in practicing and teaching karate.
In 1999, when he worked as a consultant in Hamburg, Germany, he also taught karate there.
In year 2000, he left the consultant company and became independent.
Besides from his work, he was taught Karate and Aikido from his father at the same time.
In 2004, he began formally to teach karate to junior and junior high school children at his home in Hachioji.
He produced top players of All Japan Boys and Girls Championships and high ranked players in junior and high school players in many All Japan level tournaments.
In 2008, he joined in the Karate Federation in Hachioji where he lives and also became a member of Tokyo Karatedo Federation and JKF.
He teaches karate no matter the style (mainly Kata).
He involves himself in passing down the techniques of traditional karate together with karate as a competitive sport and endeavor in nurturing young karatekas.
He not only teaches in Japan but abroad as well, and teaches not just the traditional Karatedo but karate as a competitive sport and contribute to higher level of competition.

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The former president of Shito-Kai Manzou Iwata

February 9, 1924 - Born in Takinokawa, Kita ward, Tokyo.
1930 - He started practicing Jyu-Do, Ken-Do and Aiki-Do.
1941 - He entered Toyo University. He met Kenwa Mabuni Sensei at its Karate club.
1943 - Daien-Ryu Jyou-Jyutu head traditional technique was given by Seiko Fujita Sensei, the 14th head of Kouga-Ryu Nin-Jyutu.
1944 - Kenwa Mabuni Sensei gave him the mastership in Shito-Ryu.
1948 - Seiko Fujita Sensei recognized him as a master of Nanban Sattou-Ryu. He became a Karate coach at Nihon University Engineering School (at present, Nihon University Department of Engineering).
1950 - He opened Renku Kan in Ikenohata, Ueno ward, Tokyo and started teaching.
1951 - He became a Karate coach at Toyo University Karate club.
1960 - He established Nihon Karate-Do Kai Eastern Japan headquarters and became its president.
1964 - On establishment of All Japan Karate-Do Federation Shito-Kai, he became a vice-president.
1969 - Became a Saitama Prefecture Karate-Do Federation vice-president and All Japan Karate-Do Federation technical committee member.
1972 - Became an All Japan Karate-do Federation first grade referee.
1980 - On Eiichi Tanaka's death (at age of 78), he became the president at Shito-Kai.
1993 - The Japan Martial Arts Distinguished Service Medal was given.
June 4, 1993 - Passed away of heart failures.

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The former president of Shito-Kai Ken Sakio

January 2, 1922 - Born in Tokyo.
1933 - Started Kendo and Judo practice.
1939 - Entered Toyo University and became a member of Karate club.
He practiced at Chouki Motobu Sensei, later at Kenwa Mabuni Sensei.
Also he went to Okinawa to study at Tyoujyun Miyagi, Tyoushin Chibana, and Shinban Gushikuma Senseis.
1942 - The title Karate Trainer was given by Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.
1949 - He opened Do-Jo under the Kenwa Mabuni Sensei's guide (at present Seifu Kan).
He taught at Shimizudani High School Karate club and at Outemon High School Karate club.
1953 - He taught Karate youths at Kansai University.
1969 - Became All Japan Karate-Do Federation technical committee member.
1972 - Became All Japan Karate-Do Federation first grade referee.
1992 - The Japan Martial Arts Distinguished Service Medal was given by Nihon Budo Kyougi Kai.
1993 - On president Manzo Iwata's death, he became a president at All Japan Karate-Do Federation Shito-Kai and at World Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation.
1994 - All Japan Karate-Do Federation gave him 9th grade.
February, 2004 - Honorary president of JKF Shitokai.
February, 2009 - Genro of JKF Shitokai.
June 4, 2012 - Passed away at age of 90.

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The former president Tokio Hisatomi

February 12, 1927 - Born in Mitsui-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture.
April, 1947 - Enrolled in Toyo University and joined Karatedo Club.
(Appointed as the Karatedo Club Captain in 1951)
March, 1953 - Graduated from Toyo University, Literature Department.
April, 1953 - Became a teacher at Kurume Commercial High School.
October, 1953 - Established Karatedo Club of Kurume Commercial High School and started teaching karate.
November, 1955 - Involved in the act for the separation of High School Division from the All Kyushu Student Federation. (Forerunner of Kyushu University Federation. At that time, both high schools and universities were included in the same Federation.) Endeavored to enrich the organization as a chief secretary and a chief judge. Founded `All Kyushu High School Karatedo Federation’ and served as an officer.
October, 1958 - Involved in the foundation of Fukuoka High School Federation and held the First Championship of the Foundation. Endeavored to enlarge and enrich the organization as a chief judge and a chief secretary.
April, 1959 - Founded Japan Karatedo Federation Shito-kai Kurume Branch.
October, 1968 - Involved in the foundation of Fukuoka Karatedo Federation. As the representative from Shitokai, became the member of the board and acted as a standing director.
In the end of 1978 - After the High School Karatedo Club joined the Kyushu High School Gymnastic Association, resigned the member of the board, and endeavored to teach the younger generation. Also acted as the member of Consultation committee, the director and the standing director, and also as the member of standing committee of Technical Center, the first class qualification judge, the domestic referee and the international referee. Raised many karate athletes, acting as a leader in both administrative and technical fields as a Shitokai board member.
March, 1979 - JKF 8 Dan.
March, 1989 - Retired from Principal of Kurume Commercial High School in Kurume City at the age limit.
March, 1992 - Received the Distinguished Service in Sports Field Prize from Fukuoka Gymnastic Association.
March, 1997 - Became Hanshi of Japan Karatedo Federation.
April, 1997 - Installed as President of Fukuoka Karatedo Federation.
October, 1997 - Became Hanshi of Japan Karatedo Federation Shito Kai.
June, 1999 to present Counselor of Japan Karatedo Federation.
January, 2000 - Japan Karatedo Federation Shito-kai 9th Dan.
February, 2001 - Chairman of the board of Directors and Active President of Japan Karatedo Federation Shito-kai.
January, 2002 - Received the Japan Martial Arts Distinguished Service Medal at the ceremony held at Nippon Budo Kan.
March, 2003 - Resigned from President of Fukuoka Karatedo Federation.
February, 2004 - President President of Japan Kartedo Federation Shito-kai.
March, 2006 - Aword of the authorization 9 Level form Japan Karatedo Federation.
February, 2009 - Honorary president of JKF Shitokai.
August 27, 2013 - Passed away at age of 84.

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The former President Hiroshi Murata

September 17, 1936 - Born in Miyaderamura, Saitama ( present Irumashi ).
March, 1955 - Graduated from Tokyo Norin high school.
March 21, 1955 - Became a pupil of the late Sensei Manzo Iwata.
July, 1956 - Entered Miyaderamura government official.
June 1, 1960 - Established a branch " Musashi Shibu " with the late Sensei Iwata's permission Since then, taught students and trained himself harder.
May, 1969 - Participated in the formation of Saitama Karate Federation.
September, 1975 - Participated in the seminar for area/national instructors ( under the auspices of JKF ) as a lecturer and an examiner.
October, 1980 - Got advanced coach license of Japan Sports Association (JASA).
March 19, 1983 - Awarded the Saitama sports prize.
December, 1992 - 8th Dan of JKF Shitokai.
March, 1993 - 8th Dan of JKF.
May, 1993 - President of JKF Shitokai Kanto area committee.
July, 1993 - President of Iruma Karatedo Federation.
April, 1994 - 1st grade judge of JKF Shitokai.
March, 1996 - Retired from Iruma city office.
March, 1997 - Hanshi of JKF.
April, 1998 - 1st grade judge of JKF.
August, 1999 - Master instructor of JASA.
April, 2001 - Vice president of Saitama Karate Federation.
November, 2001 - Hanshi of JKF Shitokai.
February, 2004 - Chairperson of JKF Shitokai the board of directors.
February, 2004 - Chairperson of WSKF the board of directors.
March, 2008 - Retired from the president of Iruma Karatedo Federation.
February, 2009 - President of JKF Shitokai.
February, 2009 - President of WSKF.
March, 2009 - Retired from vice president of Saitama Karate Federation.
February, 2017 - Honorary president of JKF Shitokai.
April 29, 2019 - Passed away at age of 82.

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The President Genzo Iwata

1958 - Born on October 6th in Saitama prefecture. Learned Karate under Manzo Iwata, own father, from childhood.
1982 - 5th Dan of JKF Shitokai and 5th Dan of JKF.
1988 - Shihan of JKF Shitokai.
1993 - Succeeded 5th Soke of Nanban Satto-Ryu.
1998 - Shitokai Headquarters Manager.
2000 - Technical HQ Director of JKF Shitokai.
2003 - Councilor of JKF, 7th Dan of JKF, and Advanced Coach of JASA.
2007 - 8th Dan of JKF Shitokai.
2008 - Chairman of JKF Shitokai board.
2009 - Kyoshi of JKF.
2016 - Member of JKF technical committee and Hanshi of JKF Shitokai.
February, 2017 - President of JKF Shitokai.

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Shitokai Founder and Leaders