1828-1906
Yasutsune Azato was a son of a Tonichi, one of the two highest classes of the Okinawan society, and was born in the town of Azato.
He was a military advisor to the Okinawan king. He was known as one of the greatest experts of karate on Okinawa. He was also known as an expert in horseriding, kendo and archery.
Only one student is known to be taught by Azato: Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. His older sons teaching in the Martial Arts was left in the capable hands of Yasutsune Itosu.
He was very strict in his teaching method, he would have Funakoshi repeating again and again the same kata, oral history tells us that from him is the rule of three year per kata.
Azato maintained a very complete registry of all the martial artists on the island of Okinawa, in these he would detail their abilities and defects. He used to say "Know yourself and your enemy: this is the secret key of strategy".
During his lifetime he was defied by Yorin Kanna, a famous swordsman of Okinawa, and even though Azato was an expert in Jigen-kenjutsu, he confronted his adversary unarmed. Kanna was known not only for his swordsman skills, but also for his enormous strength. He lacked neither courage nor fighting spirit. He attacked Azato many times and each time Azato would throw him almost without effort.