Hanko Ryu Martial Arts teaches Saito-ha Shito Ryu Karate-do in the traditional manner. Shito Ryu, founded by Soke Kenwa Mabuni, is one of the main traditional Okinawan Karate styles currently practiced. Soke Mabuni successfully combined the hard style (from Shuri-Te) and soft style (from Naha-Te) into Shito Ryu.

Why Karate?
Karate is without equal as a method of physical conditioning. Muscular and cardiovascular development achieved through training improves the student’s strength and stamina. Strong emphasis is placed on dynamic movements and flexibility training. Balance, coordination and reflexes improve with drills until complex movements appear effortless. Karate practice is unique in that its training sessions allow each student to progress at his own rate.

Karate-Do is a Japanese word meaning "Empty Hand Way". With training it becomes obvious that Karate-Do is more than just a means of self-defense. At the deepest level it is the karate spirit. This is the "Do"(pronounced "doe") of "Karate-Do", the "Karate Way". This spirit is characterized by the ability to preserve through self-discipline the infinite challenges of karate and of life, to be gentle yet firm, and to be humble. The achievement of this spirit is the result of serious training and dedication. Its many facets eventually focuses training toward achieving personal excellence and a polished character.

About Shihan

Shihan Danilo Torri is the chief Instructor of Hanko Ryu Martial Arts.

 Born in Rome, Italy, Shihan Torri started his Shito Ryu Karate training in 1975 at the age of seven under Sensei Yomada Koyei.

In 1980, at the age of 13, his family moved from Rome, Italy to Connecticut, USA.

At the age of eighteen he returned to Italy to test for his Shodan (first dan) Black Belt. He continued his training with Shihan Ivano Di Battista (sixth Dan) in Shito Ryu. He reached Sandan (3rd dan black belt) under his guidance.

In 2001, at the age of 33, Shihan Torri opened a small dojo in Stratford,CT and started teaching part time. He started teaching with only three students. Five years latter, he moved to a new larger dojo in Trumbull. In the first seven years, Sensei has trained over five hundred karate students. Many of these karate students have won gold medals in many tournaments.

Shihan Torri was promoted to the rank of Yondan (4th dan black belt) in August 2007 by Soke Del Saito, 10th Dan Saito-ha Shito Ryu, his present instructor. Three years later, Shihan Torri was promoted to the rank of Godan (5th dan black belt) by Soke Saito in August 2010.

Member Traditional Karate-Do Federation International Shihan Kai AAU Karate Connecticut District Chairman - 2007-2010. (Succeeded Hanshi Chuck Merriman) Traditional Karate-Do Organization Instructor of the Year 2006

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