Kenwa Mubuni was ahead of his time when hedecided to teach karate in mainland Japan. Born in 1889, he was one of the first to develop the style known as Shito Ryu Karate.  Mabuni's friends at the time were none other than Chojun Miyagi and Higaonna Kanryo.

The three men collaborated together and developed techniques which Mabuni incorporated into his new style and taight at his Japan Karate do Kai dojo.