Yasutsune "Anko" Itosu studied under Bushi Matsumura, as well as
Nagahama of Naha and Gusukuma of Tomari. He was born in Shuri and served
as secretary to the king. It is believed that he received the nickname
Anko because he walked in a horse stance. He was approximately 5 feet tall
and was known for his arm, leg and hand strength as well as his intuition.
He had the ability to sense the attack and destroy it before it fully
developed. He used to punch the stone walls that lined the roads. He is
famous for developing the technique of "gripping" the ground. When a
judoka challenged him to a match, he told the judoka he would concede the
match if the judoka could move him. After 10 minutes of trying the judoka
conceded. You can read the details on page 48 of O'Sensei's book. He
believed that a karateka (karate student) should train intensely to
develop one's physical strength, ability and spirit. A karateka should
always be helpful and never fight.
Itosu was a legend in his own right, and is considered by many
to be the "Father of Modern Karate-do". In 1901 he was instrumental in
getting karate introduced into Okinawa schools, teaching at Shuri Jinjo
Primary School, Dai Ichi Middle School and the Okinawa Prefectural Mens
Normal School. He created the Pinan forms and introduced them as learning
steps for children feeling that the other katas where too hard for
children to learn. He is also credited with taking the large Naihanchi
kata and breaking it into the Naihanchi Shodan, Nidan and Sandan katas we
practice today. Itosu believed it was time for karate to go beyond the
shores of Okinawa and wrote his famous letter of Ten Precepts in 1908.
Read more about Itosu including his father's unique method of training him
when he was young, his first encounter with Matsumura, his defense against
3 attackers, how Matsumura helped him with his cowardliness, and more
starting on page 43 of O'Sensei's book.
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