History


History of Chito Ryu Karate

Chito Ryu style of Karate was founded in Japan by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose (O-Sensei). Chito Ryu derives much of its basis from the two forms of 'Te' (early Karate). Naha Te and Shuri Te are the hard and soft styles, respectively, that were prevalent in the Okinawan towns of Naha and Shuri where O-Sensei and many other Karate masters were born and raised.

This style is a traditional Japanese / Okinawan martial art consisting of strikes, kicks, blocks, throws and holds. Chito Ryu training provides a complete regimen suitable for those seeking physical exercise, sport competition and self defense skills.

Training is based on basic techniques (kihon), forms (Kata) and fighting ( Kumite). Its foundation Kata are Shiho-Hai, Niseishi, Seisan, Rohai, Bassai and Chinto. Its main stances are seisan dachi, shiko-dachi, kosa-dachi, uchi-hachiji-dachi and sanchin-dachi.

Chito Ryu possesses martial arts techniques which truly balance the strengths and weaknesses of the original Okinawan 'Te' styles. It is also based on a platform of human anatomy and physiology, providing a further unique perspective and effectiveness.

What does "Chito Ryu Karate" mean?

Chi      1000 (Years old)
To        T'ang (Chinese era)
Ryu      Style
Kara     Empty
Te        Hand

Sensei Higashi


   Sensei Shane Higashi
The Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club is fortunate to receive technical direction and guidance from Sensei Shane Yukio Higashi, 9th Dan Hanshi. Aside from his duties as chief instructor at the Honbucho Dojo in Toronto (45 years and counting!), Higashi Sensei is the Technical Head for Chito Ryu Canada, with over 42 member clubs and 2000 students. In addition, he oversees the development of a growing number of international clubs, is a member of the technical committee of the National Karate Association and his Toronto dojo also serves as the Canadian Honbucho for the Hozon Shinko style of Kobudo.

Higashi Sensei began to study karate in 1961, under the instruction of then 6th Dan, Masami Tsuruoka Sensei. At the Tsuruoka karate school, the young Higashi soon became a star pupil, attaining his Shodan in Chito Ryu Karate in just one year. By 1964, he became the grand champion of the Canadian Open Karate Tournament.

Higashi Sensei continued to rapidly achieve higher ranks while training extensively in Japan and Canada. In 1979, he was awarded Kyoshi-go (elite master instructor licence) and was designated as the leading authority in Canada for Chito Ryu Karate by its founder, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose.

In July of 2007, he was honored at the National Karate Association's AGM with a lifetime achievement award, and in the fall of 2008, he was inducted into the Karate Black Belt Hall of Fame. Very recently, Sensei Higashi was awarded his 9th degree Hanshi title, by his original karate instructor, Sensei Masami Tsuruoka. Higashi-Hanshi has been instrumental in spreading Chito Ryu karate around the world.

Types of Training


Chito Ryu includes five basic types of training:
   General Fitness
Exercise for flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular fitness and improved coordination.
Kihon
Which means basic training , includes exercises designed to teach the fundamentals of karate. Kihon training is usually done without a partner. One learns form and proper execution of stances, blocks, punches, strikes, kicks, and basic movements.
Kata
Which is a fixed series of moves - is a sequence which must be performed with a proper style and form. Kata are ancient in origin. It has been through the kata that karate has been passed on from generation to generation.
Kumite
Which means sparring, includes the execution of a technique against an opponent as well as how to block, or avoid such an attack. In kumite training, all striking techniques are properly distanced and timed so as not to injure one's training partner.
Bunkai
This training is the study of the application of the basic techniques with the addition of escapes from holds, throws, and immobilization techniques.