Kanryo Higashionna
Grandmaster Kanryo Higaonna was born on March 10, 1853, in Naha, the capital city of Okinawa. His father, Kanryo, worked as merchant/sailor and sailed between the small islands of Okinawa to trade goods. From a young age Kanryo Higaonna helped his father in this work and through the hard physical labor that was involved he developed a strong body.
Higaonna was still in his teens when his father died suddenly. Kanryo decided he wanted to study the martial arts and he set his heart on traveling to Fuzhou, China for this purpose. He arrived in Fuzhou in 1869 at the age 16. Once in Fuzhou he studied the Chinese martial arts under the great Master, Ryu Ryu Ko. He soon became "uchi deshi" (private disciple) and he remained in China under the severe instruction of his teacher for approximately 13 years. In addition to studying empty handed martial arts he also became accomplished in weapons techniques and Chinese herbal medicine. Master Ryu Ryu Ko esteemed his pupil highly and sanctioned Kanryo’s mastery of these arts - an honor which is accorded extremely rare. Such was Kanryo’s skill in the martial arts that his fame became widespread throughout Fuzhou and the surrounding area.
In the year 1881, after 13 years of diligent study with his teacher, Kanryo returned to Naha, Okinawa, where his martial arts became known as Naha-te (these arts were also referred to as "Tode," meaning martial arts from China). Kanryo Higaonna taught Naha-te to the people of Okinawa and at the same time continued his own research and practice. In order to teach the youth of Okinawa, he developed a teaching method which was specifically designed to develop the mind and body; to improve both physical and spiritual well-being.
Higaonna’s unparalleled skill in the martial arts aside, his great and distinguished work was in bringing the Chinese martial arts from China to Okinawa, and there spreading these arts among the people of Okinawa. Kanryo Higaonna is now bestowed with the title "Kensei (sacred fists) Higaonna Kanryo," a title which is eminently fitting. His name is synonymous with Okinawa martial arts and Naha-te, and his spirit is destined to live on forever as a great and valued treasure within Okinawan culture. Kanryo Higaonna’s whole life was devoted to karate. He passed away in December 1915 at the age of 63.