Born on November 14, 1889, Mabuni was the 17th generation son of a famous samurai named Onigusuki. Mabuni was keenly aware of the accomplishments of his brave ancestors and, wanting better health, he began intensive training at the age of 13. He studied both Shuri-Te and Naha-Te under the greatest masters of modern Karate, Master Itosu and Master Higashionna. He also was an expert of the bo, sai, tonfa, kama and nunchaku which he learnt from Sensei Aragaki, Sensei Shinhachi Tawata and Sensei Suechi. He instructed his new system of Karate, Shito Ryu, to Okinawa's police, constabulary and self-defense forces and also made frequent visits to Japan prior to 1920 to instruct the art. In 1929, Kenwa Mabuni made a permanent move to Osaka to teach at universities and police departments. He died in May 1952 at the age of 63, but his system remains one of the four major styles not only in Japan but also in the world.

A rare photo of Mabuni Sensei demonstrating the Kata Seisan

Kenwa Mabuni (seated) with contemporaries Gichin Funakoshi (extreme left), Yasuhiro Konishi (second from right) and Kenwa Mabuni's eldest son, Kenei Mabuni (extreme right).