Samurai Martial Arts

Looking forward to a day of training 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👊🏼🇯🇵

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbrRduhjcbn/?igsh=MTdoeDVrcHM3bjk1eg==

This style's name is a tribute hidden in plain sight — built from the names of two masters. Sh*to-Ryu (糸東流). Its founder, Kenwa Mabuni, studied under two of the greatest karate masters of his era: 🔴 Anko Itosu — the master of Shuri-te, who shaped much of modern karate. 🔴 Kanryo Higaonna — the master of Naha-te, the root of Goju-Ryu. To honor both teachers, Mabuni took a character from each of their names and combined them. The "Shi" (糸) comes from Itosu. The "To" (東) comes from Higaonna. Together: Sh*to-Ryu. The name itself tells the story of the style: a bridge between two great lineages — the hard, dynamic Shuri-te and the rooted, breathing Naha-te. That's why Sh*to-Ryu is known for having one of the largest kata collections in all of karate. Mabuni didn't choose between his teachers. He preserved both. A style named in gratitude — carrying two lineages in a single word. 🥋 #sh*toryu #karate #okinawankarate #karatedo #martialarts #budo #kenwamabuni #itosu #higaonna #karatehistory #martialartshistory #japanesemartialarts #martialartsterminology #traditionalmartialarts #karatelife #kata #shurite #nahate #miamimartialarts #floridacity

Master Kunio Murayama was born on June 30, 1944, in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and was one of the most important figures in the history and dissemination of Sh*tō-ryū Karate-do in Mexico. He formally began his training in 1962 upon joining the Toyo University karate club, where he studied under Master Manzo Iwata, a direct disciple of Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Sh*tō-ryū. Due to his technical aptitude, discipline, and teaching ability, he was selected by Iwata Sensei to travel to Mexico, arriving in the country in 1970. He settled in Monterrey, Nuevo León, and from there began work that would profoundly transform the development of karate in the northern part of the country. He founded and consolidated Sh*tō-Kai Mexico, trained numerous generations of competitors, instructors, and masters, and guided many of his students to achieve outstanding results at state, national, and international levels.
The Sh*tō-ryū Karate taught by Murayama preserves the technical richness created by Kenwa Mabuni, drawing from the two great Okinawan traditions: Shuri-te—characterized by agile footwork, direct techniques, speed, natural stances, and mid-to-long-range combat—and Naha-te, which contributes solid stances, controlled breathing, circular movements, concentrated power, and close-quarters combat techniques. This combination makes Sh*tō-ryū a comprehensive, balanced, and meticulous system, recognized especially for its extensive kata repertoire, the precise study of *kihon* (basics), the alternation between hardness and softness, and the pursuit of technical efficiency without sacrificing mastery of body, mind, and character.
Master Kunio Murayama passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023, at the age of 79, in Monterrey, Nuevo León—the city where he had lived for over five decades and where he left behind a deeply rooted school. His legacy remains intact under the leadership of his son, Alonso Murayama—an internationally renowned competitor and champion—within the organizations he founded, the continuation of his lineage, and, above all, the thousands of Mexican karateka who were directly or indirectly influenced by his teachings, establishing him as a major pillar of Sh*tō-ryū Karate-do in Mexico.
His son, Sensei Alonso Murayama, joined us for several live broadcasts of *Revista KATANA* during the pandemic, including an interview with actor and karate practitioner Omar Chaparro.
It is with great respect that we present this composition by Master Kunio Murayama, which blends his Japanese roots with the backdrop of the iconic mountain popularly known as *Cerro de la Silla* (Saddle Hill) in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico.
*Revista KATANA* Martial Arts Segments – 36th Anniversary.

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Classes tonight at Innsworth / tomorrow at Springbank are cancelled.

Friday classes continue as usual 👊