Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, also known as as Chinen Gua in Okinawa, was the founder of
Chito Ryu Karate. Born in
Kumochi, Naha City, Okinawa-ken (prefecture), on October 18th, 1898 Dr. Chitose created
Chito Ryu after spending years studying both Shorin-Ryu and
Shorei-Ryu. He became the Supreme Instructor, 10th dan, of Chito-Kai of the All Japan Karate Doh Federation.
Chito Ryu developed from two disciplines, Shuri no Te (now known as Shorin-Ryu) and Naha no Te (now known as
Shorei-Ryu). O-Sensei created Chito Ryu by combining the merits of each with his medical knowledge to come up with a more healthy alternative.
O-Sensei was introduced into the secrets of Naha no Te by the respected fifth master Mr. Aragaki Ou at the age of seven. At that time Mr. Gichin Funakoshi a pioneer of Karate-do on the mainland was also in Naha as a student.
At Shuri city O-Sensei studied under such masters as: Mr. Choyu Motobu, Mr. Chotoku Kiyan, Mr. Haragusuku Chiyomu, Mr. Kanryo Higaonna (who also taught Mr. Chojun Miyagusuku, the founder of Goju-Ryu and Mr. Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu).
In 1922 O-Sensei went to Tokyo to study medicine, while there he assisted in the opening of Mr. Funakoshi's SHOTO-KAI YOTSUYA dojo. He instructed in kumite and the kata of SEISAN and BASSAI.
After World War II, in March 1946, O-Sensei opened a karate dojo called Yoseikan in Naka Machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto-ken.
In 1958 O-Sensei attained the the rank of Juudan from ZEN OKINAWA KARATE KOBUDO RENGO KAI (The all Okinawa Karate and Weaponry association).
In 1975 he moved his dojo which was known as the SOHONBU (General headquarters) to Tsuboi, Kumamoto City, where it presently exists.
At O-Sensei's death in 1984, his son Yasuhiro Chitose assumed the name of his father , Tsuyoshi Chitose and took on the responsibilities as new Soke
Soke Sensei
Head of Chito Ryu since 1984 |
Soke Sensei has been the head
of the International Chito-Kai since 1984. In
June 1984, the founder of Chito Ryu Karate, Dr. Chitose
Sensei, passed away and his son Chitose Yasuhiro became
head of the International Chito-kai. In keeping with
traditional Japanese custom he changed his name to
Chitose Tsuyoshi, in honour of his father. Soke Sensei is the head of the
International Chito Ryu
Karate Federation, http://www.chitoryu.co.jp/en/.
The International Technical Program for Chito Ryu is
directed by Soke Sensei and members of the ICRF
Technical Committee.
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| The BC Chito-Kai
and the Canadian Chito-Kai are associated to the
International Chito Ryu Karate Federation and recognize
Soke Sensei as our supreme leader.
Soke Sensei travels throughout all member countries,
conducting Chito Ryu clinics and grading sessions at the
request of member organizations. We were honoured in the
fall of 2003 when Soke Sensei traveled throughout
Canada, as head of Chito Ryu, and ended his
inspirational tour in British Columbia before returning
to Japan.
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