Karate master, Mabuni was the founder of the Shito-ryu system of karate, which is one of four, including Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu and Shotokan, of the major karate systems of Japan. When he was 13 years old, Mabuni began training with Itosu Anko, a noted Karate master in the Shuri area of Okinawa. Anko was not only highly skilled in Budo but also a great innovator in teaching the martial arts. Around 1905, Ando introduced karate into the Okinawan public school system. About 1909, through an introduction by his friend Chojun Miyagi, Mabuni Sensei started to also train with Kanryo Higaonna (sometimes known as Higashionna). Higaonna was an expert form the Naha region of Okinawa. Through Higaonna, Mabuni learned kata such as Saiha, Sanchin, Seienchin, Seipai and others. Miyagi went on to found the Goju-ryu system of karate. In 1929, Mabuni moved his entire family to Osaka. There he established a small dojo and began teaching his unique art. In the 1930's, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (the Japanese martial arts sanctioning organization) began to demand the different groups applying for membership, be more specific in the description of their karate systems, and pressured them to name their systems. Originally, Mabuni thought to name his system Hanko-ryu or "half-hard" style. He ultimately decided on the name "SHI TO" which was formed by taking the first characters from the names of his two primary teachers, Itosu and Higa(shi)onna. Thus, the name "Shito-ryu" has no literal meaning but rather honors the two main teachers in Mabuni's life. In the same context, the kata syllabus of Shito-ryu is still listed as having two lineages, Itosu Ke and Higaonna. Mabuni worked tirelessly to teach karate throughout Japan. His efforts brought him into contact with a variety of practitioners who helped promote the growth of karate in Japan. He is thus credited with much of the development of Japanese karate and many of the present disciplines recognize his contribution to their practice.