What We Do

Karatedo is said to start and end with kata, and in Itosu-ryu we mainly focus on the traditional kata and study techniques and applications to use in practical techniques.

The long history and techniques of Itosu-ryu karatedo were so acknowledged that Japan Kobudo Association admitted the entry of Itosu-ha in 1979, and it is the only karate organization in the association.

With the internationalization of karatedo, our school also aims to develop intercultural relationships and understanding throughout the world. To this end, we formed an international organization called Itosu-ryu Karatedo International Federation(IKIF) in August 2002 comprising 16 countries. IKIF now has over 20 member countries.
Itosu-ryu and Shito-ryu

Shito-ryu was established and based on the characteristic techniques of “Shuri-te Itosu-ha” and “Naha-te Higaonna-ha”. It is clear that Itosu-ha made a major contribution to the development of some basic techniques of Shito-ryu.

Training of Shito-ryu begins with learning techniques of “Itosu-ha”. When a student can master a certain level of techniques, he/she starts practicing techniques descended from “Higaonna-ha”. Then later, the student is required to combine the techniques of Itosu-ha and Higaonna-ha. First mastering Itosu-ha techniques makes it easier to learn Higaonna-ha techniques.

Students must study both styles with the understanding of their distinctive characteristics. “Itosu-ha” is famous for light and quick movement and combination techniques, and “Higaonna-ha” is famous for large and powerful techniques. However, techniques should not be a halfway mixture of Itosu-ha and Higaonna-ha.

Itosu-ryu practitioners are aware of the fact that our techniques are based on Shito-ryu and always strive for perfection of techniques descended from both Itosu-ha and Higaonna-ha.