SOKE'S BIOGRAPHY
First Soke
Anko Itosu
Second Soke
Kenwa Mabuni
Third Soke
Ryusho Sakagami
Fourth Soke
Sadaaki Sakagami
Founder / Master Anko Itosu
(1830-1915)
He recomposed Okinawan indigenous martial arts, called "Ti" or "To-di"
as a modern form of physical exercise and named it "Karate."
He made a lot of katas including the Pinan series.
His style was called "Itosu-ha" during this period.
1830
Born in Gibo, Shuri, Okinawa.
Studied Karate from childhood under Master Sokon Matsumura and Master Kosaku Matsumora.
1879
After the abolition of Ryukyu kingdom and establishment of Okinawa prefectures, he devoted himself to teaching Karate.
1901
Taught Karate as part of the physical education curriculum at Shuri Elementary School. This was the first step in the popularization of Karate.
1905
He actively taught Karate at 1st Okinawa Prefectural High School and Teacher Training School as a part-time teacher.
1908
At the age of 77, he wrote "Karate Juka-jo" in October.
1915
Passed away on 26th January at the age of 85.
1964
A monument to Master Anko Itosu was erected in a cemetery on August 30th.
Second Soke / Kenwa Mabuni
(1889-1952)
He learned Anko Itosu's katas most accurately and mastered all of his katas.
He succeeded him as the 2nd Soke of "Itosu-ha."
Kenwa Mabuni also studied under Kanryo Higaonna of Naha-te.
Taking the first Kanji characters of his two teachers' names and founded "Shito-ryu."
1889
Born in Shuri, Okinawa on November 14.
1902
Commenced study under Master Anko Itosu of Shuri-te at the age of 13.
1908
Studied under Master Kanryo Higaonna by recommendation of Chojun Miyagi.
1914
Served as a Detective for Naha Police Department. He was fortunate enough to have
the opportunity to learn about other Karate schools and Ryukyu Kobudo.
1918
Presided over "Karate Kenkyu kai" in May.
1925
He opened a Dojo in his home in April and established the "Karate Kenkyu Club".
1929
Moved to Osaka in order to promote Karate mainly at universities in western Japan.
1934
Opened "Yoshu-kan Karate Dojo".
1939
Established Shito-ryu. Registered the name with Dainippon Butoku-kai.
He was bestowed the title Karatedo Renshi by this association.
1952
Passed away on May 23 at the age of 64.
Third Soke / Ryusho Sakagami
(1915 - 1993)
He succeeded to the position of third Itosu-ha Soke in accordance with
the direction of Master Kenwa Mabuni on January 2nd, 1952.
He officially changed the name of the style "Itosu-ryu" and he established
"Japan Karatedo Itosu-kai" to preserve and promote the style.
Other Titles:
Japan Karatedo Federation Hanshi 9th dan
Ryukyu Kobudo Hanshi 8th dan
Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Hanshi 8th dan
All Japan Kendo Federation Hanshi 7th dan
Shindo Muso-ryu Jodo Kyoshi 7th dan
Founder of Ryukyu Kobudo Kongo-ryu
1915
Born in Kawanishi city, Hyogo on April 13.
1929
Studied Tomari-te Matsumora-ha under Master Tamashiro from Okinawa in August.
1935
Entered Kokushi-kan Kendo department. He studied Karatedo and Ryukyu Kobudo under Master Moden Yabiku.
1937
Studied Shito-ryu Karatedo and Ryukyu Kobudo under Kenwa Mabuni.
1940
Established Shito-ryu Karatedo Sakagami Dojo in March.
1941
Master Kenwa Mabuni bestowed upon him the Shito-ryu Shihan certificate on December 1st.
1944
Dainippon Butoku-kai bestowed upon him the title Karatedo Renshi on April 17th.
1952
Succeeded to the poshhon of third Itosu-ha Soke in accordance with the direction of Master Kenwa Mabuni on January 2nd.
1954
Established "Nihon Genbu-kan Karate Dojo" in Katsushika ward, Tokyo.
1955
Moved Dojo to Tsurumi ward, Yokohama. Changed the name to Japan Karatedo Itosu-kai and made it the Head Dojo.
1957
Became a founding member of Japan Karatedo Rengokai and was elected as the 1st Chairman of the Board.
1960
Master Shinken Taira bestowed upon him the Ryukyu Kobudo Shihan certificate on May 1st.
1963
Master Shinken Taira bestowed upon him Ryukyu Kobudo Hanshi 8th Dan on May 1st.
Newly Established the Head Dojo at the current location on December 1st.
1964
Took part in the establishment of the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) on October 1st.
1967
Japan Karatedo Rengokai bestowed upon him Karatedo Hanshi 9th Dan on March 19th.
1969
Became a JKF Technical Committee Member and Consultant in November.
1972
Became a JKF First Grade Examiner.
1974
JKF bestowed upon him Karatedo 8th Dan on March 1st.
1980
JKF bestowed upon him the title Karatedo Hanshi on October 1st.
1981
Became a Technical Consultant of Japan Karatedo Rengokai in October.
1982
Japan Budo Society bestowed upon him the Award for Distinguished Service Award in a field of Budo on January 15th.
1984
Established Ryukyu Kobudo "Kongo-ryu".
1992
Japan Karatedo Rengokai bestowed upon him Karatedo 10th Dan on August 19th.
1993
Passed away at the age of 78 on December 28th.
Held certifications of Kendo Hanshi 7th Dan, Jodo Kyoshi 7th Dan and Iaido Hanshi 8th Dan.
1994
JKF bestowed upon him Hanshi 9th Dan posthumously on June 22nd.
Fourth Soke / Sadaaki Sakagami
(1942 -)
He succeeded to the position of 4th Itosu-ryu Soke and
became the President of Japan Karatedo Itosu-kai on April 30th, 1994.
.He established"Itosu-ryu Karatedo International Federation"
to promote the style to worldwide.
Other Titles:
Japan Karatedo Federation Hanshi 8th dan
All Japan Kendo Federation Kyoshi 7th dan
Shindo Muso-ryu Jodo Kyoshi 6th dan
Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iai-do Kyoshi 5th dan
Ryukyu Kobudo Kongo-ryu Shuseki Shihan
1942
Born in Kawanishi, Hyogo as the first son of Ryusho Sakagami on March 9th.
1954
Studied Karatedo and Kendo under his father Ryusho from the age of 12.
1956
Performed Kata at the Head Dojo's establishment ceremony on May 13.
1960
Studied Ryukyu Kobudo under Master Shinken Taira from February.
1966
Became Kata champion at the 4th Rengokai Western Japan Tournament on September 11th.
1967
Became Kata champion at the 4th Itosu-kai National Championships on November 19th.
1969
Became Kata champion of the 8th Rengokai National Championships on May 4th.
Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai Kanto Area General Manager on November 11th.
1970
Performed Ryukyu Kobudo with his father Ryusho at the 1st World Karatedo Championships on October 10th in Tokyo, Japan.
1973
Ryusho, his father bestowed upon him the Itosu-ryu Shihan certification on October 1st. Started instruction as a fulltime Shihan at the general Head Dojo.
1975
Went to Canada to instruct Karate. Since then he has taught Karate all over the world.
1983
Acquired official 7th Dan of the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) on November 6th.
1985
Became a JKF 2nd Grade Examiner in April 1st.
1992
Japan Karatedo Rengokai bestowed upon him Karatedo 8th Dan on August 19th.
1994
Succeeded to the position of 4th Itosu-ryu Soke and became the President of Japan Karatedo Itosu-kai on April 30th.
1995
Ryukyu Kobudo "Kongoryu" Head Instructor on April 1st.
1997
JKF bestowed upon him the title of Karatedo Kyoshi on March 15th.
1999
Became a chief secretaty of the JKF Central Technical Committee Member on April 1st.
2000
Earned the honor as Karatedo Hanshi from Japan Karatedo Rengokai.
2002
Japan Karatedo Federaion (JKF) bestowed upon him Karatedo 8th Dan on March 10th.
2003
On April 1st, Installed as vice chairperson of JKF Central Technical Committee and held the post of chief secretary concurrently.
2004
Became a JKF 1st Grade Examiner in April 1st.
2005
On March 21st, installed as Vice President of Nippon Karate do Rengokai.
On April 1st, installed as Chairperson of JKF Central Technical Committee.
JKF bestowed upon him the title of Karatedo Hanshi on December 10th.
2008
On August 23rd, installed as Deputy President of Nippon Karate do Rengokai.
2010
Japan Karatedo Rengokai bestowed upon him Karatedo 9th Dan on October10th.
2013
Nihon Karatedo Rengokai President (Japan Karatedo Rengokai) on February 23th.
Other Martial Arts care: Holds titles of Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan, Iaido 5th Dan, Jodo Kyoshi 6th Dan and Ryukyu Kobudo "Kongoryu" Head Instructor.
