Yasutsune Itosu, also known as “Ankō” Itosu, is one of the greatest masters in the history of karate. He is recognized for his significant contributions to the dissemination of karate and for having trained some of the greatest karate masters of the 20th century.
Born in 1830 in Shuri, Okinawa, Itosu came from a family with a good reputation. Although the details of his life are sometimes difficult to pin down, it is known that he began studying karate at a young age under the tutelage of Sokon Matsumura, a renowned master of the time.
Itosu quickly became known for his exceptional strength and skill. Such was his fame that he was eventually invited to teach karate to the Okinawa royal family. Later, he also taught karate to several renowned students, including Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate.
Itosu is particularly renowned for having pioneered the introduction of karate into Okinawa’s public education system. In 1901, he began teaching karate in elementary school, a first in the history of the discipline. He adapted traditional techniques to make them more accessible and safer for children, creating a new form of karate instruction that laid the foundations for the art as we know it today.
Itosu also created a series of kata, or forms, known as “Pinan” (or “Heian” in Japanese). These kata have been designed as a gradual introduction to karate, enabling students to develop their skills in a progressive and systematic way. These kata are still widely practiced in many karate styles today.
In addition to his practical work in teaching karate, Itosu is also recognized for his letter “Ten Precepts of Karate”, written in 1908. In this letter, he sets out his vision of karate as a means of strengthening body and mind, improving discipline and morals, and contributing to society. This vision has been fundamental to the evolution of karate from a fighting art to a martial art focused on personal development.
Itosu died in 1915, but his legacy lives on. His techniques, kata and philosophy are still at the heart of many styles of karate today, and his vision of the art as a means of physical, mental and moral training has become the standard in the world of karate.
In short, Yasutsune Itosu was a karate master of great importance, not only for his mastery of techniques, but also for his role in the spread of karate and in the training of many of the greatest masters in the history of karate. His dedication to teaching and his vision of karate have left an indelible mark on the history of this martial art.