Mabuni Kenwa

The Pacific Karate-Do Institute was founded in 1974 in Santa Barbara California by David Krieger Sensei. Krieger Sensei had begun studying karate in 1963 in Kobe, Japan under Chojiro Tani. Tani was a direct student of Master Kenwa Mabuni who was the founder of Shito-Ryu Karate. Krieger Sensei went on to co-found the International Karate Federation in Hawaii. He has been the martial arts instructor at the University of Hawaii, captain of the All-Hawaii Karate team, and top tournament competitor. He has also written widely on karate spirit and philosophy.

PKI is under the direction of John Bartholomay Sensei who's Dojo is in Santa Barbara and Miguel Villalobos Sensei who's Dojo is in Santa Maria. Villalobos Sensei has been with the PKI since the beginning, with Bartholomay Sensei joining in 1975. Villalobos Sensei and Bartholomay Sensei are both direct students of Kenzo Mabuni. Mabuni Kenzo was the son of Master Kenwa Mabuni who created the style of Shito-Ryu. Kenzo Mabuni was the Soke (family head, and head of the system) until his death in 2005.

Nippon Karate-Do Kai is headquartered in Osaka Japan and was the honbu (home dojo) of Kenzo Mabuni soke. Shito Ryu Karate-Do Kai of America is our organization of karate dojos in the United States, PKI is one of the dojos that represents this organization and Rocky Mountain Seito Shito Ryu is part of the PKI.

With the passing away of Mabuni Kenzo Soke in 2005, the title of Soke was passed down to his daughter, Tsukasa Mabuni. Mabuni Tsukasa Soke is the president of Shito Ryu Karate-Do Kai of America, which is the American organization that is part of the International Karate-Do Kai. The International Karate-Do Kai represents all the Seito Shito Ryu dojos from each country around the world.

All PKI dan ranks (black belts) are registered in Japan. This offers students legitimate rank around the world.

Mabuni Kenzo

J. Bartholomay Shihan