Shitoryu karate-do

There are four different “basic styles” in karate. We practise the one called Shitoryu. Typical for this style are high standing positions, short movements in blocking, twist-movement of the hips, a quick pulling back of punches and kicks and a fast straight forward attack. Our style originates from two others; Shorinryu and Gojoryu. The techniques are a mixture between the quick explosive style of Shuri-te and the softer Naha-te, where the famous breathing-exercises originate from, the kata Tensho can be mentioned as an example. The reason for our high standing positions arises from the attempt to mimic reality in our kata-application (bunkai) as much as possible. Because of the influences from many different karate-styles and the interest for weapon-training (kobudo), Shitoryu is often called “multi-karate”.
The name Shitoryu is composed by the written signs (kanjin) for the three masters: Mabuni, the founder of Shitoryu, Hiagonna and Itossu.














Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shitoryu. He was called the “kata-dictionary” of his time. When he died, many katas died with him.



There are a great number of groups that have their foundation in Shitoryu in Sweden today. Between these groups there exists a great understanding and in many cases a strong cooperation. As an expression of this a Shitoryu karate championship is held every year, the Hayashi Cup.