Tsuyoshi Chitose [Founder of Chito-Ryu Karate] Tribute (1898- 1984)

Tsuyoshi Chitose (千歳 剛直, Chitose Tsuyoshi) (Okinawan: Chinen Gua) 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 (松村 宗棍). While in Okinawa, Chitose grew up studying the art of karate (唐手, Tang hand), now written 空手 (empty hand), 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 on June 5, 1984 at the age of 86. Chitose created Chitō-ryū by combining the strength techniques from Shuri-te (see also Shōrin-ryū and Shōrei-ryū), with those of Naha-te. While present, the influence of Tomari-te is less than that of the two previously mentioned foundation styles.