Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952)

Was born in Shuri, the 17th generation descendant of one of the bravest warriors of Okinawan nobility. As a child, Kenwa Mabuni wanted so very much to be like his great ancestors, but, unfortunately he was very sickly and weak. In 1902, at the age of 13, Kenwa Mabuni was taken to the most famous martial artist in Shuri, master Ankoh Itosu, to improve his health. From that day forward, he never missed a day of training until he was approximately 20 years old.

Soke Tani Chojiro (1920-1998)

Founder of Shukokai and long time student of Mubuni Sensei (a karate genius responsible for combining the two main streams of Okinawan karate to create the Shitoryu system.) Tani having been given the certificate of succession, entitling him to use the name "Tani Ha Shitoryu", later founded his own association which he called "Shukokai"

Master Kimura Shigeru (1941-1995)

A prodigy of Tani's Shukokai dojo, Sensei Kimura was one of the principle instructors who left Japan to spread the style of Tani Ha Shitoryu, which he did in his own inimitable way.