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an online service of the Nippon Karate-do/Kobudo Seishin-Kan

Mabuni Kenzō
1927 - 2005

Mabuni Kenzo Nidai-me Soke

Mabuni Kenzo, born May 30, 1927 in Shuri, Okinawa, is the second son of Mabuni Kenwa Soke, one of the most influenital karate masters of the 20th century and the founder of Shito-Ryu Karate-do, along with its official governing organization, the Nippon Karate-do Kai. After the death of his father, Mabuni Kenzo spent two years in seclusion contemplating the implications of assuming the leadership of the Nippon Karate-do Kai, before accepting that role. Since 1954, Mabuni Kenzo has been nidai-me soke -- the second-generation headmaster -- of Shito-Ryu and the Nippon Karate-do Kai.

Mabuni Kenzo Soke was literally raised in karate-do. His father was one of the most respected sensei of his time, and young Kenzo was almost always at his side. Even as a schoolboy, he often accompanied his father in his travels spreading the newly founded system of Shito-Ryu throughout Japan. Some of his earliest recollections are of the other renowned karate masters of that era coming to his father's garden for advice and instruction in karate-do.

At the age of 13, Mabuni Kenzo requested formal acceptance to become his father's student. From that day until his father's death 12 years later, he undertook the diligent study of his father's system.

Since accepting the responsibility of leading Shito-Ryu as nidai-me soke in 1954, Mabuni Kenzo Soke has steadfastly adhered to his father's original 1929 syllabus for the instruction of Shito-Ryu. Sharing his father's passion to preserve the original kata, techniques, and principles of karate-do, Mabuni Soke has dutifully promulgated Shito-Ryu exactly as it was passed down to him by his father. Mabuni Soke continued to  reside in his father's home in Osaka, Japan and teach in the original dojo established by his father until his death on June 26, 2005, at which time Mabuni Soke held the rank of Judan (10th degree Black Belt), the highest possible ranking in traditional martial arts.

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© 2003   Leonard J. Pellman