History

Both our arts are descended from similiar lineages from Okinawa and Japan.

Ryukyu Kobujutsu was preserved by Taira Shinken and Inoue Motokatsu. Inoue Motokatsu was taught by Taira Shinken and Kenwa Mabuni. Taira Shinken was taught Karate by Gichin Funakoshi and Kobujutsu by Yabiku Moden. Shotokan Karate was founded by Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi was taught by Anko Itosu and Anko Azata (amongst others) and one of his peers was Kenwa Mabuni. Mabuni was taught by Itosu and Higaonna Kanryo. Itosu and Azato were taught by Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura. Matsumura was taught by Kokosun (also known as Kushanku), Chinto and also Sakugawa.

Looking at the names above - we can see where both arts fit together:

• Kokoson - Created kata Kanku Dai
• Chinto - Created kata Gankaku
• Saugawa - Created Sakagawa No Kon Sho/Dai/Chu katas
• Matsumura - Created Pinan katas (Old versions of Heian)
• Itosu - Modified Naihanchi kata into Tekki Shodan Nidan and Sandan. Modified Pinan to Heian
• Azato - No kata created
• Mabuni - Founded Shito Ryu karate
• Funakoshi - Created Taikyoko (Kihon) katas, Ten-no-kata
• Shinken - Preserved Kobujutsu katas and created Maezato no Tekko
• Inoue Motokatsu - Student of Shinken, assisted in preserving Kobujutsu