Shito-Ryu Karate was developed by Kenwa Mabuni (1890-1954), an Okinawan karate master who studied both the styles of Naha-Te (which developed into Gojuryu Karate) and Shuri-Te (which developed into Shorinryu). Shito Ryu was formed by the combination of the kata and techniques of these two styles. Mr Mabuni combined japanese syllables of this two main teachers, Ankoh Itosu (of Shuri-Te) and Kanryo Higaonna (Naha-Te) to honor them when he developed his own style, Shito-Ryu, which he started to teach when he moved to Osaka, Japan.

Characteristic for Shito-Ryu Karate are the square-on stances and linear strikes. Traditional Okinawan weapons are also taught in the Shito-Ryu style of karate.

Shihan Fumio Demura

The most famous exponent of Shito Ryu is Fumio Demura, a student of Ryusho Sakagami, who himself was a student of Kenwa Mabuni. Fumio Demura popularised and introduced the style to the world. Today, he is the chief instructor of Shito-Ryu Karate Do Genbu-Kai, and lives in the United States.

Mr Demura has written several books - on both Shito-Ryu Karate and traditional Okinawan martial arts weapons. Martial arts weapons that Demura has written about include the Sai, Nunchaku and Tonfa.