Tsuyoshi Chitose (千歳 强直) (Okinawan: Chinen Gua) was a highly influential Okinawan martial artist and physician, born on 18 October 1898, in the town of Kumochi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. He died in 1984. Chitose is the founder of the Chitō-ryū (千唐流) style of karate, a name which translates as “1,000 year old Chinese style,” referring to the Tang dynasty of China.
Chitose came from a martial arts lineage; his maternal grandfather was Sōkon Matsumura (松村 宗棍). While in Okinawa, he grew up studying karate (then written as 唐手, Tang hand) as well as kobudō. In 1921, he moved to mainland Japan to study medicine.
Chitose began his training in Tote (an older term for karate) in 1905 under Aragaki Seishō (新垣 世璋). He was seven years old at the time and continued to train with Aragaki until 1913 or 1914. There is some debate regarding his first kata, but his book Kempō Karate-dō states that he learned Sanchin from Aragaki for seven years before being taught another kata. Other kata attributed to his training with Aragaki Seishō include Unshu, Seisan, Niseishi, and possibly Shihōhai. Aragaki was also a renowned weapons master, teaching several bo and sai kata, such as Aragaki-no-kun, Aragaki-no-sai, and Sesoku-no-kun. Higaonna Kanryō, a significant figure in the Gōjū-ryū style, was also one of Aragaki’s most famous students and one of Chitose’s primary teachers.
Chitose formulated and founded Chitō-ryū primarily while living in Kumamoto, Japan, officially establishing the style in 1946. He created Chitō-ryū by combining the strength techniques from Shuri-te (also known as Shōrin-ryū and Shōrei-ryū) with those of Naha-te. The influence of Tomari-te is also present in his style, though less evident than the other two foundation styles. His system is said to have integrated approximately 70% hard techniques and 30% softer techniques.
Chitō-ryū kata feature “signature techniques” pointing to its Okinawan Tō-te roots, including an emphasis on shime (tightening/focus), the use of shibori (wringing/twisting), rapid rotational movements, and frequent use of movement off the line of attack (tai sabaki) at advanced levels.
The Shihōhai (四方拝, “four-direction salute”) kata is unique to Chitō-ryū. While some sources claim he learned it from Aragaki Seishō, Chitose’s own book indicates he learned it from Hanashiro Chōmo at Sōgen-ji. Historically, it is said that this kata was used in the royal ceremonies of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, with the “salutation to all four sides” holding great significance during these ceremonies. Some Chitō-ryū groups practice an extended dai (大) version of Shihōhai.
While the sources do not provide an exhaustive list of Tsuyoshi Chitose’s direct students, some significant figures and their connections are mentioned:
- Mamoru Yamamoto: A protégé who later founded Yōshūkai Karate-dō.
- Masami Tsuruoka: Recognised as the father of Canadian karate, he was head of Chitō-ryū in Canada and organised Chitose’s first visit to Canada.
- Shane Higashi: Studied under Masami Tsuruoka and briefly lived with and studied under Chitose himself.
Tsuyoshi Chitose’s contributions were formally recognised by the Zen Okinawa Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai (All Okinawa Union of Karate-dō and Kobu-do), which awarded him the rank of Judan (10th Dan) in 1958, and then the rank of Hanshi (Grand Master) in 1968. The Hanshi rank is described as the highest degree of martial arts recognition.
Chitose first visited Canada in 1967, accompanied by Mamoru Yamamoto, presiding over events at the Canadian National Karate Tournament in Toronto and conducting clinics across Canada. His son continued this practice, conducting clinics for Chitō-ryū practitioners in Canada approximately every other year.
His seminal textbook, Kempō Karate-dō — Universal Art of Self-Defence, remains a key publication for his style. His efforts established Chitō-ryū as one of the four major styles of Okinawan Karate. Ryūsei Karate-dō, a style derived from Chito-ryū, was founded by Ken Sakamoto, a student of Chitō-ryū.
Chitose’s teachings extended beyond physical techniques. The Chitō-ryū Showa (school song/poem) expresses a philosophical core: “We who study Karate-dō must never forget the warrior’s spirit. In peace, perseverance, and work, we will undoubtedly reach our goal.”
Despite the style being primarily founded in Japan, its strong grounding in traditional Okinawan Tōde techniques means many practitioners categorize it as an Okinawan style. His work and philosophy continue to be propagated through numerous dojos worldwide, with organisations in countries like Canada, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia.
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