Chitō-ryū


Chitō-ryū is a style of karate founded by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose,. The name of the style translates as: chi - 1,000; tō - China; ryū - style, school, "1,000 year old Chinese style." The character tō refers to the Tang dynasty of China. The style was officially founded in 1946.
Chitō-ryū is generally classified as a Japanese style because Chitose formulated and founded Chitō-ryū principally while living in Kumamoto, Japan. However, some modern practitioners feel it is better categorized as an Okinawan style given that its roots and techniques are firmly grounded in and derived from traditional Okinawan Tōde. This belief is warranted since the style's founder, Tsuyoshi Chitose, received first the rank of Judan, in 1958, and then the rank of Hanshi, in 1968, from the Zen Okinawa Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai.

Founder

Tsuyoshi Chitose was born on October 18, 1898, in the town of Kumochi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. He came from a martial arts lineage—his maternal grandfather was Matsumura Sōkon. While in Okinawa, Chitose grew up studying the art of karate, now written 空手, as well as kobudō. In 1921, he moved to mainland Japan to study medicine. Chitose developed Chitō-ryū using his understanding of physiology to adjust traditional techniques to make them both more effective and less detrimental to the bodies of long-term practitioners. Chitose died in 1984 at the age of 86.
Chitose created Chitō-ryū by combining the strength techniques from Shuri-te, with those of Naha-te. The influence of Tomari-te is present but less than the other foundation styles.

Teachers

Signature aspects of Chitō-ryū include:
  1. an emphasis on shime—a contraction of the muscles in the lower part of the body to generate additional strength and stability in stances,
  2. the use of shibori—twisting contraction of the muscles in a specific area aimed at generating strength,
  3. rapid rotational movements—particularly with the hips, and
  4. at advanced levels, frequent use of movement off the line of attack—tai sabaki.

    Kata

The kata of Chitō-ryū are very concise and they reflect the unique and diverse training experiences of the founder. Many Chitō-ryū kata bear the same name as other traditional Okinawan kata, but the kata itself is typically very different from the original or standard version. Some of these kata may have only one or two signature moves that relate it to the original, and in other cases the kata are completely different except in name. There are some exceptions to this; Chitō-ryū versions of Seisan, Bassai and Chintō are nearly identical to the original Shōrin-ryū forms as taught by Chōtoku Kyan. Overall, the higher-level kata of Chitō-ryū show a decisively strong Chinese influence compared to other Karate systems. Additionally, outside and above of the standard syllabus are kata such as Unsu and Hoen which are very fluid complex kata that are undoubtedly derived from a strong Chinese martial arts influence.

Shihōhai

Shihōhai is a kata peculiar to Chitō-ryū. There is some dispute as to the origin of this kata in the Chitō-ryū syllabus, some sources claim the kata comes from Chitose's first teacher, Aragaki Seishō., Chitose's own book, "Kempō Karate-dō" states that he learned this kata from Hanashiro Chōmo at Sōgen-ji. Historically, it has been handed down from Chitose that this kata was used in the royal ceremonies of the Ryūkyū Kingdom. The "salutation to all four sides" was of great significance during these ceremonies. Some Chitō-ryū groups practice an extended dai version that contains a few additional techniques. Ryūsei Karate-do, a style derived from Chito-Ryu, also includes a version of Shihōhai.

[Niseishi]

The version of Niseishi shō or dai found in Chitō-ryū is unlike other versions of Niseishi. The kata actually bears a closer resemblance to a Fujian White Crane form called Hakutsuru. There are two versions of this kata in the Chitō-ryū syllabus, a shō form and a dai form. The dai version contains an additional sequence of movements not found in the shō version, but otherwise the kata are identical. The origins of the kata are credited to Chitose's first teacher, Aragaki Seishō. Niseishi is commonly used in preparation for training in Sanchin kata. Chitose also made modifications to the breathing techniques in the kata. There is a set of eleven Niseishi Bunkai techniques which are drawn from movements in the kata and are executed with a partner. These kaisetsu cover a variety of techniques including striking, kansetsu-waza, kyūsho-waza and take-downs.

[Seisan]

Seisan is a kata found in both Naha-te and Shuri-te lineages. The Chitō-ryū version most resembles the Shuri-te version passed on by Chōtoku Kyan. The kanji used in Chitō-ryū translates as: sei - "correct"; san - "arrangement or position". Traditionally, however, the kanji used for Seisan is 十三, or "thirteen". Seisan is possibly one of the oldest kata in Okinawa. Although not practiced in every style, Seisan appears in all three major Karate lineages in Okinawa--Shōrin-ryū, Gojū-ryū and Uechi-ryū.

[Bassai]

Bassai One of the most common kata in the Shōrin-ryū lineages, this kata is traditionally said to have originated with Sōkon Matsumura. The kanji used for Bassai are batsu - "to extract or remove"; sai - "close, shut, or cover". The accepted translation used for Bassai is "To Storm a Fortress". Although nothing in the two kanji translates to fortress, the character sai is used as part of words for fortress or stronghold, as in bōsai. According to Chitose's book, "Kempō Karate-dō", he learned Bassai from Chōtoku Kyan. Chitō-ryū Bassai closely resembles Matsubayashi-ryū Passai as well as Seibukan Bassai, which are other styles in the Kyan/Arakaki lineage. Kyan learned his Bassai from a Tomari village master named Oyadomari Kokan. The version practiced by Chitō-ryū is very similar to the Oyadomari Bassai. Although Chitō-ryū Bassai is from Tomari village, it bears a striking resemblance to the Shuri versions of Bassai. The main difference between the Shuri version and the Tomari version are that the Shuri versions are done primarily with closed fists, while the Tomari versions are primarily open handed.

[Chintō]

Chintō is another kata common to the Shōrin-ryū lineages. It includes jumping, jumping kicks and intricate hand techniques. The Chitō-ryū version is done in a north–south pattern, unlike many other versions of Shōrin-ryū Chintō which are done at a north-west to south-east pattern.

[Sōchin]

While sharing a name with kata from other styles, the Chitō-ryū version of Sōchin is completely different and seems to be Chitose's own creation. Distinctive elements of the Chitō-ryū version include defense and attack to all four sides and the bull like posture with the arms.

[Rōhai]

Rōhai shō or dai in Chitō-ryū is a kata completely different from those in other styles, and it seems to be Chitose's own creation. It borrows from Fujian White Crane with movements similar to the Chitō-ryū Niseishi. It is a mix of closed fisted and open handed techniques with a one-kneed stance at the very beginning.

Tenshin

Tenshin is a complex kata with many twisting, dodging movements and complex timings. It is unique to the style in both name and form and is not found outside of Chitō-ryū derived styles. It was probably created by Chitose and doesn't seem derived from other kata.

Sanseiru

The name of the kata Sanseiru is pronounced irregularly. The pronunciation seems to be based on the Mandarin Chinese. It seems, from comparing this kata to kata from other styles, that this is a version of the Shōrin-ryū lineage Gojūshiho, which can be found in Shitō-ryū, or various Shōrin-ryū styles. It may be simply a shortened version of this kata.

[Kusanku]

The opening of the Chitō-ryū version of Kusanku is nearly identical to the opening of the classical Shōrin-ryū versions found in other lineages. However, after these initial moves, the kata departs drastically. There are two versions that are commonly practiced, the sho and dai versions. The dai version doubles the length of the kata.

Ryūsan

Ryūsan is meant to mean "dragon climbing the mountain". It is not found in any other styles of karate outside of Chitō-ryū. It is completely open handed from beginning to end with stabbing fingers, ridge hand and knife-edge blocks and palm strikes. The stance transitions are complex with the trailing leg sometimes pulling up and creating a shorter seisan-dachi, which is unlike other kata in the style. There is a signature movement in the middle of the kata where the karateka stands on one leg, thrusts one hand straight up and one hand straight down, and then switches legs and hands. It is this movement that gives the kata its name.

[Sanchin]

Like Niseishi, Sanchin is a very old kata that is also generally acknowledged as originating in southern China from the Fujian White Crane style of martial art. In Chinese styles this form is practiced with the use of open hands throughout, while in Chitō-ryū there is significant use of closed hands. Ideally, it is supposed to take no less than seven minutes to perform properly and focuses on highly developed use of breathing techniques and shime. In Chitō-ryū, Sanchin is generally considered a senior dan kata, and is usually only required at levels above yondan.

Kihon Kata

  • Zenshin Kotai
  • Shime no Dosa
  • Empi Kihon Dosa
  • Ni Juu Shichi Ko
  • Seiken no Migi Hidari
  • Shi Ho Wari
  • Kihon Kata Ichi
  • Kihon Kata Ni
  • Kihon Kata San
  • Kihon Dosa Ichi
  • Kihon Dosa Ni
  • Kihon Dosa San
  • '''Kihon Dosa Yon'''