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*hatsu yume ya himete katarazu hitori emu*

		the first dream of the year ----
		I kept it a secret
		and smiled to myself Shō-u

Tsuyoshi Chitose

O-Sensei Tsuyoshi Chitose, Founder of Chito-Ryu Karatedo, 10th Dan, (1898-1984)

Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, also known as as Chinen Gua in Okinawa, was the founder of Chito Ryu Karate. Born in Kumochi, Naha City, Okinawa-ken (prefecture), on October 18th, 1898 Dr. Chitose created Chito Ryu after spending years studying both Shorin-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu. He became the Supreme Instructor, 10th dan, of Chito-Kai of the All Japan Karate Doh Federation.

Chito Ryu developed from two disciplines, Shuri no Te (now known as Shorin-Ryu) and Naha no Te (now known as Shorei-Ryu). O-Sensei created Chito Ryu by combining the merits of each with his medical knowledge to come up with a more healthy alternative. The name “Chito-Ryu Karate-do” translates roughly as "the thousand year old Chinese way" signifying the ultimate origin of Karate as being from China during the Tang era (roughly one thousand years ago).

"The martial art (BUGEI) of TOSHUKUKEN was developed in the era of (TO), in ancient China approximately one thousand years ago. Later, after introduction to Japan, this martial art became unique and know as "TOTE", which was taught to me (Dr. Chitose) by the respected late fifth Master, Mr. Aragaki Ou. "TOTE" has now been superseded by "CHITO-RYU" a name selected by me and derived from "CHI" meaning "one thousand" from the approximate age of the martial art. "TO" selected from the "era" of ancient China, "RYU" the Japanese name for " style", thus when coupled together spell "CHITO RYU"."

O-Sensei was introduced into the secrets of Naha no Te by the respected fifth master Mr. Aragaki Ou at the age of seven. At that time Mr. Gichin Funakoshi a pioneer of Karate-do on the mainland was also in Naha as a student.

At Shuri city O-Sensei studied under such masters as: Mr. Choyu Motobu, Mr. Chotoku Kyan, Mr. Haragusuku Chiyomu, Mr. Kanryo Higaonna (who also taught Mr. Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu and Mr. Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu).

Sitting: Chotoku Kyan, Kentsu Yabu, Chômo Hanashiro, Chôjun Miyagi and Standing: Shimpan Gusukuma, Tsuyoshi Chitose, Choshin Chibana, Genwa Nakasone

Interesting to note that other notable students of Chotoku Kyan, other than O-Sensei Chitose included: Kori Hisataka (the founder of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan and the lineage of The International Budo Instittue), Joen Nakazato, Zenryo Shimabuku, Taro Shimabuku, Tatsuo Shimabukuro, Eizo Shimabukuro, Tsuyoshi Chitose, Ankichi Arakaki, Shoshin Nagamine, Bunei Okuhir and of these students 7 went on to develop their own systems of Karatedo.

In 1922 O-Sensei went to Tokyo to study medicine, while there he assisted in the opening of Sensei Funakoshi's SHOTO-KAI YOTSUYA dojo. He instructed in kumite and the kata Seisan and Bassai.

O-Sensei demonstrating the Crane Stance

After World War II, in March 1946, O-Sensei opened a karate dojo called Yoseikan in Naka Machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto-ken.

In 1958 O-Sensei attained the the rank of Judan from ZEN OKINAWA KARATE KOBUDO RENGO KAI (The all Okinawa Karate and Weaponry association). In 1975 he moved his dojo which was known as the SOHONBU (General headquarters) to Tsuboi, Kumamoto City, where it presently exists. At O-Sensei's death in 1984, his son Yasuhiro Chitose took on the responsibilities as new Soke.