The Originators of Karate-Do Kata

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1. Aragaki Kamadeuchu (Seisho)Tsuji Pechin (1840-1918)

A fluent speaker of Chinese, worked as an interperter for the Ryukyu court. Was one of the first Instructors of Higashionna Kanryo.

  • Arahaki Seisan
  • Koryu Unshu
  • Niseishi
  • Sochin
  • Unsu

2. Funakoshi Giko(1906 - 1945)


Was the third son of Funakoshi Gichin, and was responsible for helping his father develop and organize the Shoto-kan. Was known to break the makiwara with his powerful punches. Unfortunately, he suffered from tuberculosis which he contracted at seven years of age. He would sometimes have to stop training because he was coughing up blood. He died in the spring of 1945. he was a significant teacher of Mas Oyama.

  • Sochin (Shotokan)
  • Wankan (Shotokan)

3. Funakoshi Gichin (1868-1957)



Founder of Shotokan, and credited as the modern day founder of karate. Funakoshi Sensei also changed the ideograms (kanji) in the word karate from the meaning of China Hand to Empty Hand.

  • Taikyoku (Shotokan)
  • Ten-no-Kata

4. Higaonna Kanryo Naha-Te(1853-1930)


First introduced to the fighting traditions in 1867 when he began to study monk fist boxing from Aragaki.

  • Saifa
  • Seiyunchin
  • Shisochin
  • Sanseiru
  • Sepai
  • Sesan
  • Kururunfa
  • Suparinpei (Peichurin)
  • Higaonna Sanshin (turn)

5. Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953)


Founder of Goju Ryu. Began his Karate instruction under Ryuko Aragaki at the age of 11. Then at the age of 14 he began his training with Kanryo Higashionna. He introduced his Goju ryu to the Hawaiian islands in 1944.

  • Gekisai dai ichi
  • Gekisai dai ni
  • Tensho
  • Miyagi Sanchin

6. Itosu Yasutsune Sensei Shuri-Te(1832-1915)


Responsable for handing the tradition known as Shuri-te, and possibly brought the Bubishi to Okinawa. His teacher was the legendary Bushi Matsumura.

  • Pinan (Heian) 1 - 5
  • Tekki (Naihanchi) 1 - 3
  • Rohai
  • Empi (Itosu-Wanshu)
  • Bassai Dai
  • Bassai Sho
  • Kushanku (Kanku Dai)
  • Shihokosokun
  • Chinte
  • Gojushiho
  • Hangetsu
  • Chinto

7. Bushi Matsumura Ryu Kyu Te(1796-1889)


Began his first lessons in tode with Sakagawa. Studied Gungfu in China. He is responsible for the system we know as Shorin Ryu.

  • Bassai
  • Seisan
  • Chinto
  • Channan
  • Kushanku
  • Chinsu
  • Naihanchi
  • Gojushiho
  • Hakutsuru

8. Mabuni Kenwa(1899-1952)



Founder of Shito Ryu. Being of the Samurai class, began his training to overcome poor health at the age of 13. He also studied Kobudo under Aragaki. He Studied with both Itosu and Higashionna. Today his Shito Ryu is one of the four major systems of Okinawan/Japanese karate.

  • Kihon Kata dai ichi - yon
  • Juroku
  • Shimpa
  • Aoyanagi

9. Sakugawa (1733-1815)



Studied the Staff and other weapons in china, was nicknamed "Tode" for his skill at chinese boxing. Was a student of Kusahku in the mid-ninteenth century. He taught the use of weapons to Chinen Pechin who passed them on to Sanda.

  • Kusanku

10. Kyan Chotoku (1870-1945)


After completing his apprenticeship under the six famous Okinawan Shorin-Ryu masters, Kyan started to teach the art at his home. In the 1920's Kyan traveled to mainland Japan to promote the art. On his return he visited Taiwan on a martial arts exchange tour of Okinawan and Chinese Martial Arts. Being proficient in both arts, Kyan invented his own Kata "Ananku".

  • Annanko

11. Matsumora Kosaku (1829-1898)


His family were indirect descendents of the first Sho king. As a boy, he studied Chinese classics and Confucianism at the Tomari School for young men from families of position. Matsumora then studied with Teruya Kishin.

  • Jion
  • Jitte
  • Ji'in
  • Rohai
  • Wankan
  • Tomari Bassai
  • Tomari Chinto
  • Wabdo
  • Wanshu

12. Go Ken Ki (Wu Xiangui) White Crane(1886 - 1940)


Taught White Crane Gongfu in the evenings in Naha. He had a major influence on Miyagi Chojun, Mabuni Kenwa, and Matayoshi Shinho.

  • Nipaipo
  • Hakucho
  • Paipuren
  • Hakutsuru

13. Naikaima Norisato Tomari-Te(1819-1879)


In the 1880's Norisato Nakaima brought it to Okinawa from China, where he had learned from Woo Lu Chin (Ru Ru Ko). Norisato taught Kenchu Nakaima, who taught Kenko Nakaima. In 1971 no one knew Ryuei-ryu existed in Okinawa except the Nakaima family.

  • Pachu
  • Heiku
  • Ohan
  • Anan
  • Paiku

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