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 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.
 |
(Left
to right) Murata Sensei, Imanishi Sensei
and Hashimoto Sensei |