Although there is some confusion in the history of karate, as reported in various articles, books, and web sites, the founding of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu can only be attributed to the Kuniba family of Osaka, Japan.

Kosei Kokuba (Japanese = Kuniba) learned the kihon and kumite techniques of Choki Motobu, which became collectively termed Ryukyu Karate Motobu-Ha. Then, Kosho (“Shogo”) Kuniba learned these techniques from his father, Kosei. Later, Shogo Kuniba learned the empty-hand kata of Shito-Ryu from Ryusei Tomoyori, student of Kenwa Mabuni. In the late 1950s, it was Shogo Kuniba who combined the two streams into one, calling his style Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do.

Events over the past decade and a half have clouded matters with regard to the rightful ownership of the style. The death of Shogo Kuniba in 1992 resulted in a struggle for control of his organization, Seishin-Kai, and its style of karate. Kunio Tatsuno held the title of Kaicho for seven years, but his claim to the title of Soke was always in dispute. Upon his death in 1999, the two sons of Shogo Kuniba formed Kuniba Kai, relinquishing all rights to Seishin-Kai, but retaining exclusivity to Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu. The Japan Karate Federation (JKF) and the Japan Karate Rengo-Kai both have recognized the right of the Kuniba brothers to the style synthesized by their father.

Those who use the style name Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu should be connected to Kuniba Kai. It is a Japanese style and JKF recognition is paramount. Non-Japanese martial artists who claim a contemporary connection to the style without belonging to Kuniba Kai need to be reminded that such use puts them in the awkward position of valuing a style without supporting its family of ownership.

Lastly, Kuniba Kai has no connection with two phantom organizations: The World Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Association; and, the International Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate Association. Neither of these organizations has JKF or World Karate Federation (WKF) authorization to use the phrase “Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu” in their names. Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu belongs to the Kuniba family and Kuniba Kai.
The Kuniba Kai in Italy is represented by Wasi Sport (viale Busolino 7, 27045 Casteggio Pv, tel 3357908561, 3386250267, info@wasi-sport.org).
Kyoshi James Herndon