Chitō-ryū Karate

Chitō-ryū was created by a doctor, and it shows. Its founder, Tsuyoshi Chitose, studied medicine as well as karate, and his style pays close attention to how the body generates and absorbs force.

Tsuyoshi Chitose

Chitose was born on 18 October 1898 in Kumochi, Naha, Okinawa. His maternal grandfather was Matsumura Sōkon, one of the great masters of Shuri-te. He began training at seven under Aragaki Seishō, from 1905 until 1913 or 1914, and also learned from Higaonna Kanryō, Chōtoku Kyan, Hanashiro Chōmo, Motobu Chōyū and Sanda Chinen, a list that covers both the Shuri and Naha traditions.

From 1921 he studied medicine on mainland Japan and became a physician. He officially founded Chitō-ryū in 1946, while living in Kumamoto. He died in 1984.

The name

Chi (千) means one thousand, tō (唐) refers to China (the Tang dynasty) and ryū means style. Together, Chitō-ryū means “thousand-year-old Chinese style”, a nod to the Chinese roots of Okinawan karate.

The Canadian connection

Chitō-ryū has an unusually strong presence in Canada. Masami Tsuruoka organised Chitose’s first visit there in 1967 and headed Chitō-ryū in Canada; he is known as the father of Canadian karate. The Canadian Chitō-ryū Karate-dō Association has been independent since 2008.

Offshoots

• Yoshukai Karate: founded by Chitose’s protégé Mamoru Yamamoto, independent since 1971.
• Koshin-ha Chitō-ryū: formed in 2004 by senior American practitioners.

How Chitō-ryū trains

Chitō-ryū emphasises shime, tightening and tension, and shibori, a “wringing” contraction of the muscles; rapid rotational movement; and frequent movement off the line of attack (tai sabaki). Its kata include Niseishi, Sanchin, Seisan, Bassai, Rōhai, Chintō, Sōchin, Shihōhai, Tenshin, Sanseiru, Kusanku and Ryūsan, plus bō and sai weapons forms.

Is Chitō-ryū right for you?

Chitō-ryū suits people interested in the mechanics of karate: how structure, tension and rotation produce power safely.