Anko Itosu, known as the "Grandfather of Modern Karate," transformed the art from a secretive fighting method into a system suitable for public education. By introducing karate into Okinawan schools and creating the Pinan kata series, he made the art accessible to a broad audience. His students Gichin Funakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni went on to found Shotokan and Shito-ryu respectively, making Itosu the common ancestor of most modern karate.