Early Life
Anko Itosu was born in the Giba sector of Shuri, Okinawa in 1831. His name itself is often
a source of confusion. His Okinawan name was Anko (mistakenly thought to be a
nickname by some) Shishu. This can be read in Japanese dialect as Yasutsune Itosu. While his students most likely called him by his Okinawan family name of Shishu, he is most commonly known as Anko Itosu, a combination of Okinawan and Japanese dialect. He was one of the most influential men in the history of Karate and is considered by many “the father of modern karate”.
As a child, he was well versed in both Chinese and Japanese classic. He began his training when he was only 7 years old. It is said that his father would tie him up to a pole with an obi (belt), leaving a free play of about 2 feet for the boy to run around the pole. His father proceeded to jab at him with another pole, and Itosu would run around to avoid the attack until all the slack on the obi was used up. It was only when the boy tried desperately to get back at his father in anger, that he would stop the poking. This training, although harsh, continued every day until his father was convinced that he had developed a “fighting spirit”. This style of training was common in the political climate of the time.
Secretary
During his adult years, Itosu was the secretary (or scribe) to last RyuKyu king, Sho Tai, until the monarchy’s dissolvent in 1879. It has been speculated by some that Itosu used his education and knowledge gained as a scribe to help teach one of his most dedicated students, Chosin Chibana.
Teachers
In 1846, Itosu accompanied his father on a visit to Sokon Matsumura. After the usual introductions, his father requested that Matsumura take in his son as a student (deshi). After some consideration, Matsumura agreed. It is said that Matsumura took a liking to the fire in the boy’s eyes. While little is known about his training under Matsumura, Chosin Chibana once spoke of remarks by Matsumura to Itosu, “With your strong punch you can knock anything down, but you can’t so much as touch me.”
Katsuya Miyahira has also reported that Itosu trained under Shiroma (Gusukuma) of Tomari Village and under a Chinese master also living in Tomari. Chozo Nakama attributes Itosu’s study of Chinto to the teacher CHIKUDUN PECHIN Nagahama (possibly spelled Nakahara).
Students
Like many of the great masters before him, Itosu was responsible for developing other strong karate masters including Kobayashi-Ryu founder Choshin Chibana, Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi and Shito-Ryu founder Kenwa Mabuni, to name just a few.
While Chosin Chibana would stay to teach Karate-Do in Okinawa, Gichin Kunakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni were key in the migration of Karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan. Unfortunately the two would disagree on the proper way to teach Karate in mainland Japan. Funakoshi was willing to adapt and evolve Karate in order to accommodate the Japanese people. Mabuni, on the other hand, kept Itosu’s strict teaching methods. Shinpan Shiroma once commented that Itosu taught classes cautiously, strictly, and with “Spartan-like” discipline. As such, Mabuni would conduct his classes in a stern manner as well.
Resiliency
Itosu was famous for the superior strength of his arms, legs and hands. He was said to have even walked in the horse stance. Itosu had very strong hands and could crush a thick stalk of bamboo with his vice-like grip. It is said that he walked past the imperial tombs every day and would practice his punches against the stone walls that lined the road. Itosu believed that the body did not have to be so mobile and should be able to take the hardest of blows.
Shoshin Nagamine tells a story that once, he tied a leather sandal to a stone wall in an effort to build a better makiwara. After several strikes, the stone fell from the wall. After relocating the sandal several times, Itosu had destroyed the wall.
His Concept of Karate-Do
Describing the art in his own words, “Karate means not only to develop one’s physical strength, but to learn how to defend oneself. Be helpful to all people and never fight against one person. Never try to strike if possible, even when taken unaware, such as by a robber or a deranged person. Never face others with fists and feet. As you practice karate, try to open your eyes brightly and keep your shoulders down, stiffen your body as if you are on the battleground. Imagine that you are facing the enemy when you practice the punching or blocking techniques. Soon you will find your own striking performance. Always concentrate attention around you. A man of character will avoid any quarrels and loves peace. Thus the more a karateka practices the more modest he should be with others. This is the true karateka.”
Tode Jukun
In 1908, after years of teaching karate as part of the physical education program at Shuri Jinjo Elementary School as well as Dai Ichi College and the Prefectural Teachers’ Training College, Itosu wrote a letter to the Prefectural Education Department that was responsible for the introduction of karate to all Okinawan Schools (See “Tode Jukun”).
It is also during this time as a teacher that the only known photograph of Itosu was taken. In 2006, a photograph donated by Hiroshi Kinjo surfaced containing Itosu next to the principal, Okubo Shuhachi, and Judo instructor, Ikeda Takehiko, of the Prefectural Middle School, along with some of his students there.
Legacy
Amongst his credits are the refinement of the modern “corkscrew” punch, the simplification of Matsumura’s Naihanchi kata in to kata we know today, and the separation of Passai and Kusanku into Sho and Dai versions.
Chozo Nakama has said that Itosu learned the kata Chiang Nan (the “Chanan kata” mentioned earlier) from the Chinese master living in Tomari. He then remodeled and simplified this into five basic katas and renamed them into Pinan as it was easier to pronounce. Horoku Ishikawa of Shinpan Shiroma Shito-ryu argues that he instead based the five Pinan katas on his analysis of the Kusanku (Dai) kata taught to him by Matsumura.
*Information sourced from http://okiblog.com/2011/04/yatsune-%E2%80%9Canko-itosu/
with permission from Theodore Kruczek*
Yatsutsune "Anko" Itosu
