is a style of karate founded by , (1898-1984). The name of the style translates as: chi (Ã¥ÂÂ) - 1,000; tà  (Ã¥ÂÂ) - China; ryà « (æµÂ) - style, school, "1,000 year old Chinese style." The character tà  (Ã¥ÂÂ) refers to the Tang dynasty of China. The style was officially founded in 1946.
Chità Â-ryà « is generally classified as a Japanese style because Chitose formulated and founded Chità Â-ryà « principally while living in Kumamoto, Japan. However, some modern practitioners feel it is better categorized as an Okinawan style given that its roots and techniques are firmly grounded in and derived from traditional Okinawan Tà Âde (Ã¥ÂÂæÂÂ). This belief is warranted since the style's founder, Tsuyoshi Chitose, received first the rank of Judan, in 1958, and then the rank of Hanshi, in 1968, from the Zen Okinawa Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai (All Okinawa Union of Karate-do and Kobu-do).
(Okinawan: Chinen Gua) was born on October 18, 1898, in the town of Kumochi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. He came from a martial arts lineageâÂÂhis maternal grandfather was . While in Okinawa, Chitose grew up studying the art of , now written , as well as kobudà Â. In 1921, he moved to mainland Japan to study medicine. Chitose developed Chità Â-ryà « using his understanding of physiology to adjust traditional techniques to make them both more effective and less detrimental to the bodies of long-term practitioners. Chitose died in 1984 at the age of 86.
Chitose created Chità Â-ryà « by combining the strength techniques from Shuri-te (see also Shà Ârin-ryà « and Shà Ârei-ryà «), with those of Naha-te. The influence of Tomari-te is present but less than the other foundation styles.
Signature aspects of Chità Â-ryà « include:
The kata of Chità Â-ryà « are very concise and they reflect the unique and diverse training experiences of the founder. Many Chità Â-ryà « kata bear the same name as other traditional Okinawan kata, but the kata itself is typically very different from the original or standard version. Some of these kata may have only one or two signature moves that relate it to the original, and in other cases the kata are completely different except in name. There are some exceptions to this; Chità Â-ryà « versions of Seisan, Bassai and Chintà  are nearly identical to the original Shà Ârin-ryà « forms as taught by Chà Âtoku Kyan. Overall, the higher-level kata of Chità Â-ryà « show a decisively strong Chinese influence compared to other Karate systems. Additionally, outside and above of the standard syllabus are kata such as Unsu and Hoen which are very fluid complex kata that are undoubtedly derived from a strong Chinese martial arts influence.
is a kata peculiar to Chità Â-ryà «. There is some dispute as to the origin of this kata in the Chità Â-ryà « syllabus, some sources claim the kata comes from Chitose's first teacher, Aragaki Seishà Â.<sup>,</sup> Chitose's own book, "Kempà  Karate-dà Â" states that he learned this kata from Hanashiro Chà Âmo at Sà Âgen-ji. Historically, it has been handed down from Chitose that this kata was used in the royal ceremonies of the Ryà «kyà « Kingdom. The "salutation to all four sides" was of great significance during these ceremonies. Some Chità Â-ryà « groups practice an extended version that contains a few additional techniques. Ryà «sei Karate-do, a style derived from Chito-Ryu, also includes a version of Shihà Âhai.
The version of or found in Chità Â-ryà « is unlike other versions of Niseishi. The kata actually bears a closer resemblance to a Fujian White Crane form called Hakutsuru. There are two versions of this kata in the Chità Â-ryà « syllabus, a form and a form. The dai version contains an additional sequence of movements not found in the shà  version, but otherwise the kata are identical. The origins of the kata are credited to Chitose's first teacher, Aragaki Seishà Â. Niseishi is commonly used in preparation for training in Sanchin kata. Chitose also made modifications to the breathing techniques in the kata. There is a set of eleven Niseishi techniques which are drawn from movements in the kata and are executed with a partner. These kaisetsu cover a variety of techniques including striking, kansetsu-waza (joint locking), kyà «sho-waza (pressure point techniques) and take-downs.
is a kata found in both Naha-te and Shuri-te lineages. The Chità Â-ryà « version most resembles the Shuri-te version passed on by Chà Âtoku Kyan. The kanji used in Chità Â-ryà « translates as: sei (æ£) - "correct"; san (æ´) - "arrangement or position". Traditionally, however, the kanji used for Seisan is Ã¥ÂÂä¸Â, or "thirteen". Seisan is possibly one of the oldest kata in Okinawa. Although not practiced in every style, Seisan appears in all three major Karate lineages in Okinawa--Shà Ârin-ryà «, Gojà «-ryà « and Uechi-ryà «.
One of the most common kata in the Shà Ârin-ryà « lineages, this kata is traditionally said to have originated with Sà Âkon Matsumura. The kanji used for Bassai are batsu (æÂÂ) - "to extract or remove"; sai (å¡Â) - "close, shut, or cover". The accepted translation used for Bassai is "To Storm a Fortress". Although nothing in the two kanji translates to fortress, the character sai (å¡Â) is used as part of words for fortress or stronghold, as in . According to Chitose's book, "Kempà  Karate-dà Â", he learned Bassai from Chà Âtoku Kyan. Chità Â-ryà « Bassai closely resembles Matsubayashi-ryà « Passai as well as Seibukan Bassai, which are other styles in the Kyan/Arakaki lineage. Kyan learned his Bassai from a Tomari village master named Oyadomari Kokan. The version practiced by Chità Â-ryà « is very similar to the Oyadomari Bassai. Although Chità Â-ryà « Bassai is from Tomari village, it bears a striking resemblance to the Shuri versions of Bassai (the Bassai-dai from Shotokan, Shità Â-ryà «, and Shuri-ryà «) are examples of the Shuri Bassai). The main difference between the Shuri version and the Tomari version are that the Shuri versions are done primarily with closed fists, while the Tomari versions are primarily open handed.
is another kata common to the Shà Ârin-ryà « lineages. It includes jumping, jumping kicks and intricate hand techniques. The Chità Â-ryà « version is done in a northâÂÂsouth pattern, unlike many other versions of Shà Ârin-ryà « Chintà  which are done at a north-west to south-east pattern.
While sharing a name with kata from other styles, the Chità Â-ryà « version of is completely different and seems to be Chitose's own creation. Distinctive elements of the Chità Â-ryà « version include defense and attack to all four sides and the bull like posture with the arms.
or in Chità Â-ryà « is a kata completely different from those in other styles, and it seems to be Chitose's own creation. It borrows from Fujian White Crane with movements similar to the Chità Â-ryà « Niseishi. It is a mix of closed fisted and open handed techniques with a one-kneed stance at the very beginning.
is a complex kata with many twisting, dodging movements and complex timings. It is unique to the style in both name and form and is not found outside of Chità Â-ryà « derived styles. It was probably created by Chitose and doesn't seem derived from other kata.
The name of the kata is pronounced irregularly. The pronunciation seems to be based on the Mandarin Chinese (ä¸ÂÃ¥ÂÂå  sÃÂnshÃÂliù). It seems, from comparing this kata to kata from other styles, that this is a version of the Shà Ârin-ryà « lineage Gojà «shiho (54 steps), which can be found in Shità Â-ryà «, or various Shà Ârin-ryà « styles. It may be simply a shortened version of this kata.
The opening of the Chità Â-ryà « version of is nearly identical to the opening of the classical Shà Ârin-ryà « versions found in other lineages. However, after these initial moves, the kata departs drastically. There are two versions that are commonly practiced, the sho and dai versions. The dai version doubles the length of the kata.
is meant to mean "dragon climbing the mountain". It is not found in any other styles of karate outside of Chità Â-ryà « (except for Patrick McCarthy's Koryà « style, but there is debate about where his kata comes from). It is completely open handed from beginning to end with stabbing fingers, ridge hand and knife-edge blocks and palm strikes. The stance transitions are complex with the trailing leg sometimes pulling up and creating a shorter seisan-dachi, which is unlike other kata in the style. There is a signature movement in the middle of the kata where the karateka stands on one leg, thrusts one hand straight up and one hand straight down, and then switches legs and hands. It is this movement that gives the kata its name.
Like Niseishi, is a very old kata that is also generally acknowledged as originating in southern China from the Fujian White Crane style of martial art. In Chinese styles this form is practiced with the use of open hands throughout, while in Chità Â-ryà « there is significant use of closed hands (fist). Ideally, it is supposed to take no less than seven minutes to perform properly and focuses on highly developed use of breathing techniques and shime. In Chità Â-ryà «, Sanchin is generally considered a senior dan kata, and is usually only required at levels above yondan.
The Chità Â-ryà « crest is an identifiable symbol, often worn by Chità Â-ryà « practitioners regardless of affiliation as a badge. The design was based on the original crest of the founded by Toyama Kanken, of which Chità Â-ryà « is a member. There are four main parts to the Chità Â-ryà « crest:
Shà Âwa (å±åÂÂ) is the code of Chità Â-ryà « practitioners. It is often recited at the beginning & end of classes.
Chità Â-ryà « is a popular mainstream karate style in Canada. There are almost 60 Chito-ryà « dojo in 8 of Canada's 10 provinces. Chitose first visited Canada in 1967, accompanied by protégé Mamoru Yamamoto (who would later go on to found Yà Âshà «kai Karate-dà Â). This trip was organized by Masami Tsuruoka, recognized as the father of Canadian karate by Black Belt Magazine, who was then head of Chità Â-ryà « in Canada. During this trip, Chitose presided over events at the Canadian National Karate Tournament in Toronto and conducted clinics at dà Âjà  across Canada. The current head of the Chità Â-ryà « style, the son of Chitose, continued this practice, conducting clinics in Canada for Chità Â-ryà « practitioners approximately every other year. However, in 2008, a rift occurred between the Canadian Chito-ryà « Karate-dà  Association and the Japanese parent organization. The result was that the Canadian association and approximately three quarters of the Canadian dà Âjà  agreed to separate from Japan and became independent. Dà Âjà  in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia remain associated with the parent organization in Japan.
The Canadian Chità Â-ryà « Karate-dà  Association is now an independent organization headed by Shane Higashi, who formerly held the titles and the Vice for Chità Â-ryà «. Higashi was recently awarded the title of and . Higashi studied under Masami Tsuruoka, becoming his first black belt student, and also briefly lived with and studied under Chità Â-ryà « founder Chitose. Higashi and Tsuruoka were inducted into the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The others, who chose to remain loyal to the Japanese parent organization, formed the new organization Chito Ryu Canada ICKF. Chris Taneda, Kyoshi and 7th Dan, is their most senior instructor.
The International Chito-Ryu Karate-do Federation of Australia (ICKFA) is the governing association for Chità Â-ryà « dà Âjà  in Australia.
Chità Â-ryà « was introduced to Australia by Vance Prince in 1969, after studying in Toronto, Ontario, Canada under Shane Higashi. He trained for three months in Kumamoto, Japan under Tsuyoshi Chitose. His first dà Âjà  was the North Sydney Leagues Club. Over the next six years Prince trained and qualified six black belt students, who went on to establish clubs throughout Australia. Prince was also a founding member of the Federation Of Australia Karate-Do Organisations.
In the late 1970s Bill Ker was appointed president and for Chità Â-ryà « in Australia. He later gained the rank of . In 1991 Ker retired from active involvement in Chità Â-ryà «. Upon his retirement, Brian Hayes was appointed president and honbucho by Chitose.
In November 2004, Michael J Noonan was appointed to represent Chitose and the ICKF in Australia as honbucho. Noonan was Bill Ker's student from 1980 until his retirement. In 1985 he travelled to Japan and became a direct student of the 2nd Generation Soke, a relationship that he has continued. Noonan currently teaches at the Tasseikan dà Âjà  in Sydney and has been granted the rank of and title of Kyoshi. In 2023 Noonan was appointed Advisor to the 3rd Generation Soke and made the Technical Director of Europe. He has held seminars in the US, Scotland, Ireland, Norway and Germany, as well as his home country of Australia, and has also instructed in Japan and Canada. Other notable senior instructors supporting Noonan in his role include; Mark Snow, 5th dan Renshi; Martin Phillips, 5th dan, Renshi and Head of Kobujutsu for Australia; Sandra Phillips 5th dan Renshi and National Coach, Adam Higgins, 4th dan, Shihan.
The United States Chità Â-ryà « Karate Federation is an independent non-profit federation of Chità Â-ryà « dà Âjà  in the United States. It was established by William J. and Barbara E. Dometrich. The hombu-dà Âjà  is located in Covington, Kentucky.
The U.S.A. Yoshukai Karate Association is a karate association headed by Michael G. Foster. Yoshukai is a Japanese karate style adapted from Chità Â-ryà « by Mamoru Yamamoto. Foster was originally named the Director of the U.S.A. Yoshukai Karate Association in 1966 by Mamoru Yamamoto, when it was affiliated with the United States Chità Â-ryà « Karate Federation. In this capacity, Foster established and headed a number of karate schools which were then part of the United States Chità Â-ryà « Karate Federation. The dà Âjà  became independent Yoshukai schools 1971.
The Koshin-ha Chità Â-ryà « Karate-do Association was formed in 2004 by several senior ranking American Chità Â-ryà « practitioners. Unlike many martial arts organizations run by a single person, the Koshin-ha is governed by two groups of individuals: senior practitioners (known collectively as the Shihan-kai), and dà Âjà  chief instructors (known collectively as the Shibu-kai).