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Chito Ryu is considered the first style of karate in Canada. The founder, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose (O-Sensei) formed the style over 75 years ago. It was established in Canada by Masami Tsuruoka who also started the National Karate Association of Canada (now Karate Canada) before leaving Chito Ryu to create his own style, Tsuruoka Ryu. In Okinawa, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose was known as Chinen Gua but is now respectively titled O-Sensei. At O-Sensei's death in 1984, his son Yasuhiro Chitose assumed his father's name and took on the responsibilities as the new Soke and head of Chito Ryu.
Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, also known 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 Do 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 healthier alternative.
At the age of seven, O-Sensei was introduced to the secrets of Naha no Te by the respected fifth master Aragaki Ou. At that time, Gichin Funakoshi a pioneer of Karate-do was also in Naha as a student.
At Shuri city, O-Sensei studied under such masters as: Choyu Motobu, Chotoku Kiyan, Haragusuku Chiyomu, Kanryo Higaonna (who also taught Chojun Miyagusuku, the founder of Goju-Ryu and Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu).
In 1922, O-Sensei went to Tokyo to study medicine, while there he assisted in the opening of Gichin Funakoshi's Shoto-Kai Yotsuya dojo. He instructed in kumite and the kata of Seisan and Bassai.
In March 1946, after World War II, O-Sensei opened a karate dojo called Yoseikan in Naka Machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto-ken.
In 1958, O-Sensei attained the rank of Juudan from Zen Okinawa Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai (The All Okinawa Karate and Weaponry Association).
In 1975, he moved his dojo to Tsuboi, Kumamoto City, where it presently exists.
At O-Sensei's death in 1984, his son Yasuhiro Chitose assumed the name of his father, Tsuyoshi Chitose and took on the responsibilities as the new Soke.
In June 1984, the founder of Chito Ryu Karate, Dr. Chitose Sensei, passed away and his son Yasuhiro Chitose became the head of International Chito-Kai. In keeping with Japanese custom he changed his name to Tsuyoshi Chitose and is now referred to as Soke (Nidaime Soke).
Nidaime Soke comes from a family of 7 children (two older brothers died following the harsh living conditions after WW II). All the siblings studied karate from their father and Nidaime Soke began training at the young age of 3 years old. Since then, he has never stopped training even when attending university. He studied Education and Media Communication at Tokai University, Tokyo.
In 2003, Nidaime Soke moved from the family home/dojo to his own house a short distance away. Nidaime Soke has three sons, Naoyuki and Goshi are married and live with their families while the youngest, Taiga, has recently graduated from post-secondary school and is now working near the family home. The three sons train regularly and often three generations train at the dojo (Nidaime Soke, his sons and grandchildren).
Nidaime Soke is the head of the International Chito Ryu Karate-do Federation which has branch dojo through Japan, Canada, Australia, United States, Norway, Hong Kong, Ireland, Scotland, United Kingdom, Finland, and Bangladesh. The international technical program for Chito Ryu is directed by Nidaime Soke, Sandaime Soke and members of the Sokeshitsu advisory committee. The Sohonbu headquarters is O-Sensei’s fifth dojo located in the Tsuboi area of Kumamoto city. Aside from minor renovations and expansions, the dojo has remained basically unchanged for almost 50 years. In the spring of 2016, two devastating earthquakes hit Kumamoto city. One of the fault lines went through the middle of the dojo. Perhaps, it was the Chito Ryu karma or the spirit of O-Sensei looking out for his family, whatever type of good fortune; the dojo had only minor damage. Most of the older homes in the area were destroyed. With support of its members and local sponsors, repairs were done quickly. The upstairs former home of O-Sensei and Nidaime Soke have been converted into living quarters with rooms in both Western and traditional Japanese style. For a nominal fee, students (especially foreigners) can now stay in the former home of the Chitose family as well as train in one of the original Chito Ryu dojo. With Nidaime Soke and Sandaime Soke teaching, few styles can offer the same unique and historical experience.
In O-Sensei's will (1982) he declared Nidaime Soke to be his successor and Naoyuki Chitose Shihan the 3rd Generation Soke. Chitose Shihan is the eldest son of Nidaime Soke. He is married and has two daughters, both who train karate. In preparation for the enormous responsibility of becoming the next Soke, Chitose Shihan moved to Kelowna, BC when he was only 15 years old. He studied English there for 1.5 years.
At the beginning of 2013, he dedicated himself full time to karate, training and teaching at his own dojo as well as at the Sohonbu. He is at the Sohonbu daily, either working in the office or training/teaching in the dojo. He studies under his father’s guidance and also trains Okinawan Kobudo (weapons). At the 2017 Soke Cup, Sandaime Soke demonstrated five different weapon kata (bo, tekko, nunchaku, sai and tonfa). It was an impressive display of talent and knowledge.
In January 2018, Chitose Shihan was bestowed the title of Sodai (next generation Soke). He had already spent most of his lifetime preparing for his role as head of Chito Ryu but with the new title, the succession was formalized.
On Monday, August 14, 2023, the title of Chito Ryu Soke was passed from Yasuhiro Chitose (Nidaime Soke) to his son, Naoyuki Chitose (Sandaime Soke). This was considered a rare, historical event since most modern martial arts no longer pass on the title from generation to generation. The ceremony was held at Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine, Kumamoto, Japan with the top ranking Shihan in attendance.
Chito Ryu Yuseikan is a member dojo of the International Chito Ryu Karate-do Federation and recognizes the Chitose family lineage of O-Sensei, Nidaime Soke and now Sandaime Soke as the supreme leaders of Chito Ryu. During his 40 year term, Nidaime Soke travelled throughout all member countries to conduct Chito Ryu clinics and grading sessions. He made annual visits to the Chito Ryu Yuseikan dojo and knows most senior belts by name.
Nidaime Soke will continue to be a special mentor to Sandaime Soke. In July 2024, both Soke attended the International Chito Ryu Summer Camp in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This was the last official visit to Canada by Nidaime Soke. Sandaime Soke will now follow his father’s footsteps and conduct future international clinics. Discussions are already underway to host Sandaime Soke in the spring of 2025.