Born in the Yamakawa area of Shuri, a sickly boy whose parents believed training in TODE would help him, he grew to be of legendary strength.  He was a very educated man who worked and trained with Master Matsumura as one of the bodyguards and government officials.  Master Itosu greatly contributed to the development of karate through his introduction of new techniques.  He taught and passed down the katas of Matsumura, added new katas and expanded the repertoire of Shuri-te Karate by modifying some of the older katas, and developing the five Pinan katas.  He introduced Karate in the Public School system in 1903 where he taught Master Matsumura’s use of deep thrusting techniques, high kicks and the use of twisting the hips for more power.  Master Itosu was the link between the old and the new; he was a true karate master. Master Itosu’s top students were the ones who would bring Karate into the modern era. One of these men was KANKEN TOYAMA…