I entered master Mabuni's school in 1945 when I was 14, and stayed very close to him for seven years until his death. Tough as a boy, I was almost beside myself with karate, attracted by the wonderful personality of master Mabuni and his profound knowledge of art.

I now recall dearly those days that I was literally steeped in karate-training at master Mabuni's in the morning, at my school in the afternoon and again at master Mabuni's in the evening throughout my junior and senior high school and university days.

On some days, during the morning training, we were only two, master Mabuni and myself. In such occasion, master Mabuni taught me arts, which I couldn't master, in minute details. It was my supreme joy to hear the stories and experiences of master Mabuni as we took meals together after training.

Forty years have passed since then. Now the Shitoryu Karatedo, raised by master Mabuni, with the efforts of many talented people, has grown to a large trunk with many vigorous branches out all over the world.

Toshiyuki Imanishi

Courtesy Sensei A. Tanzadeh

Toshiyuki Imanishi