Anko Itosu: The Grand Architect of Modern Karate
- Justin Hagen, M. Ed
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
The history of karate is defined by a transition from secret battlefield techniques to a global system of physical and mental discipline. At the heart of this evolution stands Anko Itosu (1831 – March 11, 1915). While the title "Father of Modern Karate" is often shared with his legendary student, Gichin Funakoshi, it was Itosu who laid the structural and pedagogical groundwork that allowed karate to leave the shadows of Okinawa and enter the light of the modern world.
The Secretary and the Shuri-te Master
Anko Itosu was a master of Shuri-te, an ancient and traditional form of Okinawan combat. He began his martial journey at a young age, training under renowned teachers such as Nagahama Chikudun and Sokon Matsumura.
An influential figure in Okinawan society, Itosu served as a secretary to the last king of the Ryukyu Kingdom until the monarchy was abolished by the Japanese government in 1879. Following this, he became heavily involved in the promotion of Okinawan martial arts. As a school teacher, he was invaluable in introducing karate to the Okinawan school system, where he simplified older, complex katas into the Pinan (Heian) katas so they could be more easily practiced by children.
The Ten Precepts of Karate
In his foundational writing, Itosu laid out the framework for the true purpose of karate practice:
Karate is not merely practiced for your own benefit; it can be used to protect one's family or master. It is not intended to be used against a single assailant but instead as a way of avoiding a fight should one be confronted by a villain or ruffian.
The purpose of karate is to make the muscles and bones hard as rock and to use the hands and legs as spears. If children were to begin training in karate while in elementary school, then they will be well suited for military service. Remember the words attributed to the Duke of Wellington after he defeated Napoleon: 'The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton'.
Karate cannot be quickly learned. Like a slow moving bull, it eventually travels a thousand miles. If one trains diligently every day, then in three or four years one will come to understand karate. Those who train in this fashion will discover karate.
In karate, training of the hands and feet are important, so one must be thoroughly trained on the makiwara. In order to do this, drop your shoulders, open your lungs, take hold of your strength, grip the floor with your feet, and sink your energy into your lower abdomen. Practice using each arm one to two hundred times each day.
When one practices the stances of karate, be sure to keep your back straight, lower your shoulders, put strength in your legs, stand firmly, and drop your energy into your lower abdomen.
Practice each of the techniques of karate repeatedly, the use of which is passed by word of mouth. Learn the explanations well, and decide when and in what manner to apply them when needed. Enter, counter, release is the rule of releasing your hand.
You must decide if karate is for your health or to aid your duty.
When you train, do so as if on the battlefield. Your eyes should glare, shoulders drop, and body harden. You should always train with intensity and spirit, and in this way you will naturally be ready.
One must not over train; this will cause you to lose the energy in your lower abdomen and will be harmful to your body. Your face and eyes will turn red. Train wisely.
In the past, masters of karate have enjoyed long lives. Karate aids in developing the bones and muscles. It helps the digestion as well as the circulation. If karate should be introduced beginning in the elementary schools, then we will produce many karateka, each capable of defeating ten assailants. I further believe this can be done by having all students at the Okinawa Teachers' College practice karate. In this way, after graduation, they can teach at the elementary schools at which they have been taught.
Legacy
Itosu’s vision transformed a lethal civilian defense system into a structured method of physical education. By advocating for karate in the Okinawa Teachers' College, he ensured that the art would be passed down through generations of educators, successfully bridging the gap between the traditions of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the modern era.
*This article was written by Justin Hagen and abridged, edited and restructured with Open AI. The original article can be found in its entirety within Justin Hagen's book Shodai-Soke: 101 Quotes, Anecdotes & Precepts From the Founders of Modern Japanese Martial Arts available on Amazon HERE
About the Author
Justin Hagen is a martial artist, educator, and Japanese ukiyo-e–inspired woodburn artist who has dedicated his life to the intersection of combat tradition, history, and visual art. A martial arts practitioner since 1994, Justin also holds a B.A. in History (East Asian Studies) and an M.Ed. from DeSales University, where his graduate research focused on the impact of martial arts on student behavior.
Currently a Pennsylvania public school educator and an instructor of Kyokushin Karate, Taekwondo, and Kickboxing in Hatfield, PA, Justin is also a contributor to Black Belt Magazine. He is the author of several works, including Intent: The Path of the Warrior and Shodai-Soke: 101 Quotes, Anecdotes & Precepts From the Founders of Modern Japanese Martial Arts. Through his writing and art, he continues to explore the timeless discipline, ethics, and personal development found within the warrior’s path.
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