Our Style

Our style of Chito Ryu (千唐流) was was founded in Japan by the Okinawan master Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose (1898 – 1984). The name of the style translates as: chi (千), meaning 1,000; (唐) which means China; ryū (流) meaning a school of thought or discipline.

Dr. Chitose (O-Sensei) based his practice and teachings on the strength techniques from Shuri-te (Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu), incorporating with it his medical knowledge of physiology, adjusting traditional techniques to make them both more effective and less detrimental to the bodies of long-term practitioners.

In June 1984 prior to his passing, O-Sensei passed the Chito Ryu lineage on to his son, Yasuhiro Chitose (Soke Sensei). Soke continues to lead the International Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation, building on the foundation set by his father.

In 2018 Soke’s eldest son, Naoyuki Chitose Sensei was given the title of Sodai. Sodai will continue the Chito Ryu lineage into the future, building on the knowledge of successive generations.