One of the martial arts styles taught at the club is Shito-ryu, founded by Kenwa Mabuni in the early 1900s. This style emphasizes powerful yet graceful movements, physical and mental fitness, and self-defense.
Shito-ryu is known for being one of the most complete karate styles, with over 60 forms from four distinct styles: Shuri-te, Naha-te, Tomari-te, and Shaolin White Crane. Another prominent school of Shito-ryu is Hayashi-ha, which was founded and led by Soke Teruo Hayashi until his passing in 2004. It has since been passed down and taught by his son Takayuki Hayashi.
At Sarasota Karate Club, students are encouraged to take part in the traditions of Shito-ryu karate, and benefit from its powerful yet artful movements, character development, and effective self-defense. The club is also proud to be a part of the legacy of Hayashi-ha, and continue to honor the teachings of Soke Hayashi and his son Takayuki.
Karate-do translates as "the way of the empty hand," an unarmed, defensive art with a history that spans many centuries, originating in the Shaolin fighting arts of China and later developing in the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa), combined with indigenous grappling techniques, and in Japan. The karate we teach at Noss Karate is a traditional Japanese/Okinawan style called Hayashi-ha Shito-Ryu.
Shito-Ryu is one of the largest styles of Japanese karate today and is represented by many schools worldwide. The history of Shito-Ryu starts with Kenwa Mabuni, an Okinawan master of martial arts who moved from the island of Okinawa to mainland Japan in the 1920s.