Chito Ryu Karate

SHOWA
Ware ware Karate-do o shugyo surumonowa,
Tsuneni bushido seishin o wasurezu,
Wa to nin o motte nashi,
Soshite tsutomereba kanarazu tasu.

We who study Karate-Do
Should never forget the spirit of the warrior's way,
Through Peace, Perseverance and Hard Work,
We will not fail to reach our goal.

Koshin-ha Chito-kai

Elements of the Koshin-ha Chito-kai Patch.
  1. The center circle represents the sun- the most powerful force in our universe.
  2. The straight lines extending left and right of the center circle, represent the straight and narrow path required of all karate students in order to reach their maximum potential in Chito-ryu. These also represent equal and opposite sides or the yin/yang principles of Chito-ryu.
  3. The straight lines connecting to and becoming part of the center circle demonstrate that the straight and narrow path must remain continuous. In order to grasp the true essence of Karate-do, training is for a life time.
  4. The outer circle represents all that exist, the universe itself.
  5. The five lines extending from the outside to the center, left and right are the fingers of the hands. With the fingers or open hand one has control of all movements as opposed to the fist which only allows us to strike.
  6. The white color represents purity of mind, body and soul.
  7. The red color represents one of the most important principles in Chito-ryu, fire (speed) one of the five elements.
  8. The Kanji on the right of the patch states: Koshin ha.
  9. The Kanji in the center of the patch states: Chito-ryu
  10. The Kanji on the lower left of the patch states: Karate-do
  11. Koshin-ha Chito-ryu Karate-do means: A group who study the old methods/ principles of Dr. Chitose's teachings in order to better understand the new.
  12. The center of the outside circle represents that the greatest skill is found through internal development. One cannot be taught, they can only be shown, we teach ourselves through continuous training and introspection.

Chito-ryu karate is one of the most unique styles of karate in existence today. The style was developed by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose a retired gynecologist and obstetrician . Chitose was born in Naha, Okinawa on October 18, 1898. He began his formal karate training under the famous Okinawan karate master Arigaki Seisho in 1905 at the early age of seven years old. Over the next 40 years the young Chitose would continue his martial arts training in Shorei-ryu, Shorin-ryu as well as kobudo under some of the most famous karate and kobudo men in Okinawan martial arts history.

In 1922, the young Chitose would move to Japan where he would attend medical school at the prestigious Tokyo University. Now armed with the advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology he would continue to forge his martial skill under the guidance of such men as; Choyu Motobu, Choki Motobu, Hanashiro Chomo, Kanryu Higashionna, Chotoku Kyan, , Moden Yabiku, Sanda Chinen, Anko Itosu, {The exact dates that Chitose trained under each of the men listed above is not known. It is believed that he most likely trained under several of them prior to his moving to Japan. We also believe that Chitose would have continued his training under these Okinawans since he made numerous trips between Japan and Okinawa while in medical school and for many year thereafter.} During Chitose's studies he would also train beside many other martial artist who, like Chitose himself, would eventually become legends in the karate world. These men would include; Gichin Funakoshi (Shotokan-ryu), Kenwa Mabuni (Shito-ryu), Kanken Toyama (Shudo-kan), Yasuhiro Konishi (Ryobu-kai), Chojun Miyagi (Goju-ryu, Gogen Yamaguchi (Goju-kai),