 Mabuni Kenei was born on February 13, 1918 in Shuri Okinawa. He
is the first born of 3 children of Master Mabuni
Kenwa, founder of Shito-ryu Karate-do. Beginning at an early
age Kenei received personal instruction from his father throughout
his childhood.
After the Mabuni family moved to the Kansai district of Japan in
1928, Kenei would sometimes accompany his father at various Karate
related functions. He would be asked sometimes to participate in
the demonstration with his famous father throughout Japan during
the 1930's.
It was also during this time, March 1934, that Grandmaster Mabuni
Kenwa first established a dojo in Osaka naming it Youshukan. Many
times young Mabuni Kenei stayed with the Konishi family and was
treated like a family member while his father continued to teach
around Tokyo the Kanto district.
 In
March, 1939, Mabuni Kenwa would officially register the name of
his Karate style called 'Shito-ryu' with the leading martial arts
organization, the "Dai Nippon Butoku Kai", that governed
all martial arts in Japan at the time. Kenei knew many of the famous
karate teachers who came to study with his father including Master
Motobu Choki, Konishi Yasuhiro, Moden Yabiku and Funakoshi Gichin.
After the end of World War II he continued to help his father teach
and spread Shito-ryu Karate throughout Japan.
Shortly after Master Mabuni Kenwa's sudden death from a heart attack
on May 23, 1952, Mabuni Kenei succeeded his father as the Second
Soke, or 2nd designated Master of the style.
In November of 1960, Kenei sensei became the Western (Kansai-President
of the Shito-ryu Federation, while Iwata Manzo was named the Eastern
(Kanto-President).
During 1962 Kenei Mabuni sensei travelled around the globe continuing
to instruct in Shito-ryu Karate. He visited Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
and the USA.
|
|
Kenei Mabuni at the age
of 13. |
(left) Kenwa Mabuni,(right)
Kenei Mabuni. |
During the Inagural 1970 Ist World Union of Karate-do Organizations
(WUKO) World Karate-do Championships Mabuni sensei first demonstrated
the 'Nipaipo' kata of Gokenki sensei.
In 1972, he was certified by the Federation of All Japan Karate-do
Organizations (FAJKO) as a first class examiner.
 |
| (Lef to right,
standing): Funakoshi Gichin, unknown, unknown, Konishi Yasuhiro,
and Mabuni Kenei( when he was at 13th), Master Mabuni Kenwa
(seated). |
On January 15th 1984, Mabuni sensei was presented 'The Distinguished
Service Medal' for his contribution to the Martial Arts presented
by Japan Martial Arts Council (Nippon Budo Kyougi Kai).
On March 17th 1993, in Osaka, Japan, Kenei Mabuni sensei helped
establish the World Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation and was named
it's 'Governor" (Sosai).
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