Yabu was a prominent teacher of Shorin-ryu karate in Okinawa from the 1910’s until the 1930’s and was among the first people to demonstrate karate in Hawaii. As a young man, Yabu received training in Shorin-ryu karate from from Matsumura Sokon and Itosu Anko.
As a former soldier, Yabu has been credited with helping make Okinawan karate training more militaristic. His favorite kata reportedly included Gojushiho and Naihanchi.
Yabu was a prominent teacher of Shorin-ryu karate in Okinawa from the 1910’s until the 1930’s and was among the first people to demonstrate karate in Hawaii. As a young man, Yabu received training in Shorin-ryu karate from from Matsumura Sokon and Itosu Anko.