History and Tradition of Shitō-ryū

The history of Shitō-ryū traces back to Mabuni Kenwa (1889–1952) and his two most important teachers, Higashionna Kanryo (1853–1915) and Itosu Anko (1831–1915). Kenwa Mabuni founded his own karate style in 1931, honoring both of his teachers by naming it „Shitō-ryū.“

One of Mabuni Kenwa’s most important students was Tani Chōjirō (1921–1998). Tani Chōjirō began his training in Goju-ryū at Doshisha University in Kyoto. His teacher at the time was Miyagi Chōjun (1888–1953), the founder of Goju-ryū. A few months later, when Miyagi Chōjun had to return to Okinawa, he recommended that Tani Chōjirō study Shitō-ryū under Mabuni Kenwa.

Subsequently, Tani Chōjirō received instruction in Shitō-ryū Karate-Do, Kobudo, Naha-te, Tomari-te, and Shuri-te, as well as Kamiden Fudō-ryū Jujutsu. Tani Chōjirō became one of Mabuni Kenwa’s most experienced and outstanding students and received permission (*Menkyō Kaiden*) from him to establish his own style.

Origin of Shūkōkai

The Tani family named their school „Tani-ha-Shitō-Ryu Kenpō Karate-dō Shūkōkai.“ Literally, „Shūkōkai“ means „training together in an organization,“ but we also interpret it as „training together with friends.“ The name „Shūkōkai“ was adopted at a time when the practice of martial arts was banned under the Japanese occupation, in order to train safely.

Thanks to outstanding training methods and leadership skills, the Tani family built a large organization, became widely known under the name „Shūkōkai,“ and experienced significant growth. Numerous dojos were established, and many students of the Tani family achieved renown both at home and abroad. One particularly well-known student was Haruyoshi Yamada.

Shitō-Ryu Shūkōkai Karate-dō Union

Following the death of the family head, Tani, in 1998, the Shūkōkai split into two groups: the Tani-ha-Shitō-Ryu Shūkōkai led by the second-generation Tani Chōjirō (Kan), and the Shitō-Ryu Shūkōkai Karate-dō Union, formed from the original Tani-ha-Shitō-Ryu Shūkōkai under the chairmanship of Haruyoshi Yamada.

Haruyoshi Yamada (1938–2018), the head of the school, named his dojo „Gishinkan“ and his karate style „Yamada-ha Shitō-Ryu Shūkōkai Gishinkan.“

In April 1996, the current president of the SSWU, Thomas Hausner, joined the Shitō-Ryu Shūkōkai Karate-dō Union and began actively working as the representative of the Austrian Shūkōkai branch.

Mr. Yamada, an exceptional karateka, generously shared his knowledge with his students and actively promoted the internationalization of the style. Consequently, many students from abroad regularly visited Japan for training and to participate in tournaments.

In January 2018, Mr. Haruyoshi Yamada—the head of the school, chairman of the Shitō-Ryu Shūkōkai Karate-dō Union, and mentor to SSWU President Thomas Hausner—passed away.

Founding of the SSWU (Shitōryū Shūkōkai Karate-do World Union)

Among the many international students of the main style led by Haruyoshi Yamada were Chris Mileham (Great Britain), Thomas Hausner (Austria), and Thomas Geiger (Germany).

In 2016, Geiger, Hausner, and Mileham announced their withdrawal from the Shitōryū Shūkōkai Karate-do Federation and founded the SSWU (Shitōryū Shūkōkai Karate-do World Union). The organization’s headquarters dojo is located in Vienna, Austria.

In May 2026, Shingo Morita Sensei established his own dojo, „Shitōryū Karate-do Kyōshitsu Shūshinkan,“ and joined the SSWU as the representative of its Japanese branch. Together with Morita Sensei, the SSWU embodies the continuation of the traditional Shitōryū path established by Grandmasters Haruyoshi Yamada and Chōjirō Tani.