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Seiko-Kai History
Seiko-Kai, a branch of the Shito-Ryu style, was founded by Seiko Suzuki, of Shinkoiwa Tokyo.
Suzuki Sensei commenced his training in Karate in 1954 under Sakagami Sensei. In 1957 Sakagami Sensei relocated from Tokyo to Yokohama and left Suzuki Sensei to run the Tokyo dojo.
Suzuki Sensei was a loyal student and would visit Sakagami Sensei dojo in Tsurumi, Yokohama to continue his study almost every week.
To ensure his Seiko-Kan (as his dojo was called) students were learning correct Shito-Ryu technique, Suzuki Sensei would insist that they travel with him to Sakagami Sensei’s Genbu-Kan dojo as often as possible.
It was during these frequent visits that in 1963 Suzuki Sensei commenced the study of Ryu Kyu Kobudo under Shinken Taira Sensei (a friend and teacher of Sakagami Sensei).
In 1965 Sakagami Sensei presented Suzuki Sensei with his Karate-do Shihan certificate.
In 1968 he was awarded 7th Dan Kyoshi in Kobudo by Shinken Taira Sensei.
Sensei Sakagami awarded him 8th Dan Hanshi in Itosu-Ryu in 1980 & in 1992, Sensei Suzuki was also awarded by the Japan Karate Rengo-Kai his 8th Dan “Hanshi” certificate.
After Sensei Sakagami's passing in 1993, Suzuki Sensei decided to form his own organisation, the Suzuki-Ha Shito-Ryu Nihon Karatedo Seiko-Kai.
Seiko-Kai to this day still has its Sohombu (Headquarters) dojo located in Shinkoiwa, Tokyo Japan.
Shito-Ryu History
Shito-ryu is one of the main 4 styles of Karate taught in Japan, the others being Goju-Ryu, Wado-Ryu and Shotokan. Sensei Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) initially studied from 1902 under Sensei Anko Itosu of Shuri, Okinawa from the age of 13. It was from Itosu Sensei he learnt numerous kata that were known for their quick & explosive techniques.
In 1908 Mabuni's friend Chojun Miyagi recommended he come and also learn from his teacher Sensei Kanryo Higaonna of Naha, Okinawa. From Higaonna Sensei he learnt the powerful and circular techniques that later became the core of Sensei Miyagi's style (Goju-Ryu). In 1929 Mabuni Sensei moved to mainland Japan with his family and finally settled in Osaka.
In 1934 he established his dojo the Yoshu-Kan and in 1939 formally registered his karate style as Shito-Ryu, naming it after both his masters. The technical system of Shito-Ryu is based on both Itosu and Higaonna teachings and also draws from other teachers that Mabuni Sensei had the honour of studying under.
Sensei Ryusho Sakagami (1915-1993), having studied Shito-Ryu under Sensei Mabuni for many years was presented with the 3rd Shito-Ryu Shihan licence by Mabuni Sensei in 1941.
Sakagami Sensei originally taught Shito-Ryu in Tokyo, however in 1957 he relocated to Tsurumi, Yokohama. It was from Tsurumi that his “Itosu-Kai” organisation flourished developing into a worldwide body that continues to this day.Sakagami Sensei received numerous commendations during his life. He was presented (by the Japan Budo Society) the Distinguished Service Award in a field of Budo on January 15th 1982 . On August 19th 1992 the Japan Karatedo Rengokai bestowed upon him Karatedo 10th Dan.
Unfortunately Sakagami Sensei passed away at the age of 78 on December 28th 1993 . At the time of his passing he held the following qualifications, Kendo Hanshi 7th Dan, Jodo Kyoshi 7th Dan, Iaido Hanshi 8th Dan and Ryukyu Kobudo Hanshi Shihan 8th Dan. On 22nd June 1994 the JKF bestowed upon him Karatedo Hanshi 9th Dan posthumously.
Sakagami Sensei produced many famous karate-ka during his time such as Suzuki-Shihan the founder of Seiko-Kai Shito-Ryu and Shihan Fumio Demura founder of Genbu-Kai Shito-Ryu.
