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Shito-Ryu Karate-Do is recognized by the All Japan Karate-do Federation and WKF. Shito-Ryu is one of the four major styles of Karate-Do in Japan and the world today.

In 1922 Shito-Ryu was founded by Master Kenwa Mabuni.
Mr. Mabuni studied with two great masters: Master Anko Itosu and Master Kanryo Higaonna (Higashionna). Master Kenwa Mabuni named this style of Karate-Do by putting the two masters' names together. From Itosu's he used "Ito" and from Higashionna's he used "Higashi". Together they are "Ito-Higashi" which is called "Shito"-Ryu (style).

Shito-Ryu has more than 50 katas combining Naha-Te (Higoanna), Shur-Te (Itosu)and Tomari-Te. It also included kata of the white crane teachings of Gokenki. Shito-Ryu is also one of the few Japanese styles to maintain the practice of kobudo (Okinawan weaponry). Modern Shito-Ryu is characterized by fast, linear movement in kumite, and sharp, well-defined movement in kata. Many current international champions practice the Shito-Ryu style of karate.

Master Mabuni developed his system around five basic principles of defense which he termed “Uke no Gogensoku”.

These include:

Tenshin: Avoiding your opponent's attack through body movement .

Ryusui: The ability to flow with your opponent's movement in a way that is controlling and which permits the defender to gain an advantage.

Kushin: Control of an attack that utilizes body movement originating in the knees and keeping the back straight so as to maintain balance and strength.

Rakka: To block in such a decisive manner that one's opponent is physically and psychologically defeated with one blow.

Hangeki: To counter an opponent with a decisive blow. Seen as the last resort on the continuum of use of force to defend one's self.

Another element fundamental to Shito-Ryu is that of “Tenshin Happo” or the eight directions of defensive movement.

Utilized by many forms of martial art, Tenshin Happo allows a defender to avoid an attack by shifting his/her body position to one of eight directions to gain a strategic advantage on the attacker. ::