Kenwa Mabuni (摩文仁 賢和, Mabuni Kenwa) was born on November 14, 1889, in Shuri, the main settlement of Okinawa. He was a 17th generation descendant of the famous warrior Uni Ufugusuku Kenyu. As a child, Mabuni was weak and sickly, which led him to begin his martial arts training at an early age.

At the age of 13, Mabuni began his instruction in the art of Shuri-Te under the legendary Ankō Yasutsune Itosu. He trained diligently for several years, learning many kata from this great master. It was Itosu who first developed the Pinan kata, which were most probably derived from the 'Kusanku' form.

One of his close friends, Chōjun Miyagi (founder of Gōjū-ryū), introduced Mabuni to another great of that period, Higaonna Kanryō, and he began to learn Naha-Te under him as well. While both Itosu and Higashionna taught a 'hard-soft' style of Okinawan 'Te', their methods and emphases were quite distinct.

In addition to his primary teachers, Mabuni sought instruction from a number of other teachers, including Seishō Aragaki, Tawada Shimboku, Sueyoshi Jino, and Wu Xianhui (a Chinese master known as Go-Kenki). He was one of the key figures in the martial arts community and was respected by his peers. He established a research and study group at his home and was an important figure in the martial arts community.

In 1929, Mabuni founded one of the leading karate schools, Shito Ryu, one of the most practiced karate styles in the world. Originally, he chose the name Hanko-ryu, literally "half-hard style", to imply that the style used both hard and soft techniques. Finally, Mabuni chose Shito-ryu, the first characters of the names Itosu and Higaonna, his two primary teachers.

Mabuni was one of the first karateka to teach karate in mainland Japan. He made a number of exhibitions that were watched by a large number of people, including some members of the imperial delegation. These events were held in 1918 on Okinawa Island.

Mabuni passed away on May 23, 1952. His legacy continues to live on through the many students and practitioners of Shito-ryu around the world.

Chōjirō Tani (谷 長治郎 Tani Chōjirō) was born in Kobe, Japan in 1921 and is renowned as the founder of the Shukokai style of karate. His journey in karate began under the tutelage of Miyagi Chōjun, the originator of the Goju-ryu style, while he was studying at Doshisha University in Kyoto. When Miyagi Chōjun returned to Okinawa, he recommended Mabuni Kenwa as a mentor to Tani Chōjirō.

After graduating, Tani expanded his knowledge by learning Shuri-te and then Shito-ryu from Mabuni. After years of dedicated training and becoming one of Mabuni's top students, Tani received the certificate of succession from him, which allowed him to use the name Tani-ha Shito ryu.

In 1946, Tani started teaching the Shūkōkai style of Karate, which translates to "the way for all", at a dojo in Kobe, Japan. Shūkōkai is known for its emphasis on body mechanics, is very fast due to its relatively high stance aiding mobility, and is known for the double hip twist, which maximises the force of its strikes; making it one of the most hard-hitting Karate styles. The name Shukokai reflects Tani’s inclusive approach to Karate, emphasizing that the style is accessible and beneficial to all who wish to learn, regardless of age or ability.

Tani passed away on January 11, 1998. His legacy continues to inspire many students and practitioners of Shūkōkai around the world.

Chōjun Miyagi (宮城 長順, Miyagi Chōjun, April 25, 1888 – October 8, 1953) was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Gōjū-ryū school of karate by blending Okinawan and Chinese influences. He was born in Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa. One of his parents was a wealthy shop owner.

At the age of 11, Miyagi began studying Okinawan martial arts under Ryuko Aragaki. At age 14, Miyagi was introduced to Kanryo Higashionna (Higaonna Kanryō) by Aragaki. He trained under Higaonna for 15 years until Higaonna's death in 1916.

In May 1915, before the death of Higaonna, Miyagi travelled to Fujian Province. In China he visited the grave of Higaonna's teacher, Ryū Ryū Ko. In this first trip he travelled with Eisho Nakamoto. After Kanryo Higaonna's death (in Oct, 1915) he made a second trip to Fuzhou with Gokenki. In this second trip he studied some local Chinese martial arts. It was in this second trip that he observed the Rokkishu (a set of hand exercises rather than a formal kata, which emphasizes the rotation of the forearms and wrists to execute offensive and defensive techniques), which he then adapted into the Tensho Kata. From the blending of these systems, and his native Naha-Te, a new system emerged. However, it was not until 1929 that Chōjun Miyagi named the system Gōjū-ryū, meaning "hard soft style".

After several months in China, Chōjun Miyagi returned to Naha where he opened a dojo. He taught for many years, gaining an enormous reputation as a karateka. Despite his reputation, his greatest achievements lie in popularization and the organization of karate teaching methods. In recognition of his leadership in spreading karate in Japan, his style, Goju-Ryu, became the first style to be officially recognized by the Dai Nippon Butokukai. He introduced karate into Okinawa police work, high schools and other fields of society. He revised and further developed Sanchin - the hard aspect of Goju, and created Tensho - the soft aspect. These kata are considered to contain the essence of the Goju-ryu.

Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍 Funakoshi Gichin), born on November 10, 1868, in Shuri, Okinawa, and is celebrated as the "father of modern karate" and the founder of Shotokan karate-do, one of the most widely practiced karate styles worldwide. His life's work significantly contributed to the popularization and development of karate as a martial art.

Funakoshi was born into a samurai family during the Meiji Restoration, a period of rapid modernization and westernization in Japan. Funakoshi was deeply influenced by both classical Chinese and Japanese philosophies. He trained in the Shōrei-ryū and Shōrin-ryū styles of Okinawan karate, Funakoshi was a student of several prominent masters, including Ankō Itosu and Matsumura Sōkon. He adopted the pen name "Shōtō," meaning "waving pines," which later inspired the name of his karate style, Shotokan ("Shōtō's house"). Funakoshi's approach to karate extended beyond physical techniques; he emphasized moral character, self-discipline, and philosophical teachings as integral parts of the practice.

In 1922, Funakoshi introduced karate to mainland Japan at a martial arts demonstration. His skill and philosophy attracted significant attention, leading to the establishment of karate clubs at various Japanese universities. Funakoshi's efforts were pivotal in transforming karate from a local Okinawan practice to a martial art with international recognition.

Throughout his life, Funakoshi authored several books on karate, laying the foundation for its modern practice and instruction. He also founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1949, serving as its honorary head. His teachings have been passed down through generations of students, many of whom became prominent karate masters themselves.

Funakoshi passed away on April 26, 1957, in Tokyo, Japan, at the age of 88. His legacy continues to influence karate practitioners around the world, and his principles—seeking perfection of character, being faithful, endeavoring, respecting others, and refraining from violent behavior—remain at the core of karate-do.