was an Okinawan martial artist. He was also Ryukyuan royalty and the 11th sà Âke ("family head") of the Motobu Udun (), a branch of the Ryukyuan royal family. His younger brother was a karate master, Motobu Chà Âki.
Motobu Chà Âyà « was born in 1865 in Shuri Akahira, the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the first son of father Chà Âshin and mother Ushi. His father, Prince Motobu Chà Âshin (Motobu Aji Chà Âsin) was a descendant of Shà  Kà Âshin, aka Prince Motobu Chà Âhei (1655 - 1687), the sixth son of Shà  Shitsu (1629âÂÂ1668), the King of Ryukyu. The Motobu family was one of the cadet branches of the Ryukyuan royal family called the Motobu Udun ("Motobu Palace") and was one of the most prominent families in Okinawa.
Chà Âyà « learned the martial art passed down in the Motobu family, called ushu-ganashi-màno bugei, or "the king's martial art," from the age of six. He then studied Shuri-te karate and koryà « ("old school") Japanese martial arts under the legendary karateka Matsumura Sà Âkon.
In 1881, Chà Âyà « invited Itosu Ankà  to the palace of the Motobu Udun, where he and his brother Chà Âki learned karate from him. From the age of 24 or 25, Chà Âyà «, along with his younger brother Chà Âki and his friend Kentsà « Yabu, began studying under Matsumora Kà Âsaku from Tomari.
Chà Âyà « had three sons, but the downfall of the family combined with the emigration of his sons to mainland Japan made the succession of Motobu Udundë difficult. He decided to teach Motobu Udundë to his student Uehara Seikichi, and asked Uehara to teach this martial art to his second son Chà Âmà Â, who lived in Wakayama.
In March 1918, Motobu Chà Âyà «, along with other martial arts masters, was invited to a martial arts seminar at the Okinawa Prefectural Normal School. He demonstrated the kata of Shà Âchin (Motobu-shi Sà Âchin).
Uehara went to Wakayama in 1923 and spent six months teaching Chà Âmo the techniques he had learned from Chà Âyà «.
In 1926, together with Miyagi Chà Âjun, Chà Âyà « founded the Okinawa Karate Research Club in Naha and became its president. In 1928, he became ill and died. The Motobu Udun tomb where Motobu Chà Âyà « also rests is designated as a historic site in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture, as a tomb of Ryukyuan royalty.
The family tomb is the Motobu Udun Tomb in Ganeko, Ginowan. On February 25, 2021, the Motobu Udun Tomb was designated a cultural property historical site by Ginowan City in recognition of its high value as a material that unravels the relationship between Ginowan District and royal descendants at that time. It has since become a major spot for karate tourist visiting from all over the world.