Alberta Sh*to-Ryu Itosu-Kai Karate and Kobudo Association

05/17/2026

Happy Birthday Shihan!!!

04/17/2026

04/11/2026

In the history of karate, most masters are remembered for defining a single path—but Kenwa Mabuni stands apart as the man who refused to let knowledge be lost to division. At a time when karate was evolving into distinct styles, Mabuni dedicated his life to collecting, preserving, and unifying the teachings of multiple lineages, ensuring that the depth of the art would not disappear with time.
His journey placed him under two of the most influential Okinawan masters: Anko Itosu, the architect of Shuri-te known for speed, structure, and educational reform, and Kanryo Higaonna, whose teachings emphasized power, breathing, and close-range combat rooted in Chinese influence. Where many would have chosen one path, Mabuni absorbed both—recognizing that each contained essential pieces of karate’s true identity.
From this rare dual lineage, Mabuni developed Sh*to-ryu, a system that did not replace tradition, but preserved it in its widest form. He became known for maintaining an extraordinary number of kata, more than most styles, treating them not as performances but as historical records of combat knowledge. Every form he kept was a piece of history saved from being forgotten.
While other masters simplified karate for mass teaching or reshaped it for public appeal, Mabuni took a quieter, more demanding path—focusing on accuracy, depth, and completeness. His work ensured that future generations would not inherit a reduced version of karate, but a living archive of its many roots.
In this way, Mabuni was more than a founder—he was a guardian of tradition, a bridge between lineages, and a master who understood that the true strength of karate lies not in choosing one way, but in preserving the whole story.
He didn’t create karate to stand apart—he preserved it so nothing would be left behind.

02/02/2026

Soke Sakagami was honored with the Martial Arts Merit Award in recognition of his many years of dedication and significant contributions to the promotion and preservation of traditional martial arts.

https://www.itosu-ryu.net/post/kobudoenbu

#空手 #空手道 #糸洲流 #古武道 #古武道功労賞 #日本武道館 #日本古武道演武大会

02/01/2026

Tsumura Sensei with Sensei Mike Duval from Long Sault Karate at the Honbu dojo in Japan 🇯🇵

01/17/2026

A great first class back after the Christmas break. Sparring techniques and Matsumura Bassai. Awesome to be back in the dojo!

01/09/2026

Announcement!

Soke Sakagami will demonstrate “Itosu-ryu Karate” at Japan Kobudo Demonstration Festival! (Japan Classical Martial Arts Demonstration Festival) on February 1st at Nippon Budo-kan!

🟥In order to preserve, pass down, and promote the techniques and spirit of Japan’s classical martial arts (kobudō), which possess a long history and tradition, a demonstration tournament will be held featuring 36 carefully selected schools from among the classical martial arts traditions found throughout Japan. These arts will be widely introduced to the general public.

Commemorating the 100th Year of the Shōwa Era
The 49th Japan Classical Martial Arts

🟥Demonstration Tournament
Date & Time
Sunday, February 1, Reiwa 8 (2026)
Doors open / Opening ceremony: 10:30 a.m.
Closing: 4:20 p.m.
Venue
Nippon Budokan
(2-3 Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Admission
General / University students: ¥500
Elementary, junior high, and high school students: ¥300
(Tax included)
Tickets may be purchased on the day of the event at the ticket counter next to the entrance.
《For Tokyo residents (Tokyo Metropolitan Citizen Rebate Program)》

🟨Participating Schools
(In order of demonstration)
Ogasawara-ryū Kyūba-jutsu
Kanshin-ryū Iaijutsu
Shibukawa Ichi-ryū Jūjutsu
Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū Kenjutsu
Okinawan Gōjū-ryū Martial Arts
Jigen-ryū Hyōhō Kenjutsu
Yōshin-ryū Naginatajutsu
Hontai Yōshin-ryū Jūjutsu
Enshin-ryū Iaigosuemonokiri Kenpō
Shoshō-ryū Wa
Higo Koryū Naginata
Takenouchi-ryū Jūjutsu Koshimawari Kogusoku
Saburi-ryū Sōjutsu
Hatsumi Kenrihō Ichi-ryū Katchū Battōjutsu
Sekiguchi Shinshin-ryū Jūjutsu
Chikubushima-ryū Bōjutsu
Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū Kenjutsu
Nitō Shinkage-ryū Kusarigamajutsu

🔴Itosu-ryū Karate

Shingyōtō-ryū Kenjutsu
Ryūkyū Ōke Hiden Motobu Udun-di
Yagyū Shingan-ryū Katchū Heihō
Hōki-ryū Iaijutsu
Kiraku-ryū Jūjutsu
Yagyū Shinkage-ryū Hyōhō Kenjutsu
Negishi-ryū Shurikenjutsu
Tenjin Shin’yō-ryū Jūjutsu
Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū Kenjutsu
Muhimute-ryū Jōjutsu
Fūden-ryū Sōjutsu
Hokushin Ittō-ryū Kenjutsu
Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu
Kurama-ryū Kenjutsu
Tamiya-ryū Iaijutsu
Tennen Rishin-ryū Kenjutsu
Morishige-ryū Hōjutsu

12/31/2025

Happy New Years from the Alberta Sh*toryu Itosukai Karate & Kobudo Association! Here’s to a great 2026!

12/23/2025

Happy Holidays to one and all! Here’s to a kicking 2026!

12/12/2025

12/07/2025

We had a great last class before the Christmas break doing Sakugawa no Kon! Do you want to learn traditional Kobudo? Come train with us! See you in the New Year! Classes resume Jan 17th