They have traced karate-style fighting to the monks and priests of China, India, and Tibet. These men took time to refine and codify ways of self defense into a skillful and efficient Art. From China, it crossed to Okinawa where they knew it as "Te" and consisted mainly of hand movements. In 1922, Masters' Mabuni and Funakoshi introduced "Okinawa Te" to mainland Japan. Many of our military personnel stationed throughout the world, especially in Japan and other Far East nations, brought back many different systems to the United States. The largest of these systems followed in our country is the Japanese system.

SHITO-RYU (Shtoe-Lew)

This system of Karate was passed on from Mr. Itosu and Mr. Higaonna. In Kanji, the first two letters in their names spell "Shi" and "To." Mr. Kenwa Mabuni combined them to name and form our style as they handed it down to him. Born in 1893, Mr. Mabuni was the 17th generation son of a famous samurai named Onigusuki. In 1929, he moved to Osaka, Japan and instructed many students, among them - Ryusho Sakagami, who in turn taught new generations including Mr. Fumio Demura. Today, Shihan (Master) Demura is the Chief Instructor of the Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai of America.

Besides teaching Karate, Shihan Demura is the stunt man for Pat Morita in all of the "Karate Kid" movies. Other films he has been in include "Island of Dr. Moreau," "Bring 'Em Back Alive," "Bad News Bears go to Japan," and most recently "Rising Sun," and "Mortal Combat." Today, he spends the brief time away from his Dojo to demonstrate at tournaments and charity events.