About the Koshin-ha

The Koshin-ha is dedicated to the preservation and development of Chito-ryu karate-do as created by Doctor Tsuyoshi Chitose. We believe this goal can best be attained by creating an environment that encourages the development of highly skilled practitioners through traditional training and an open exchange of ideas among its senior members, while also allowing the individual dojo chief instructors to play a part in how the organization is operated.

Chito-ryu is a unique style of karate-do that has its roots in Chinese martial arts and Okinawan todi (the indigenous martial art that is a precursor to modern karate). It combines the powerful techniques of Shorei-ryu, with the flexibility and speed of Shorin-ryu. As an application-based system, Koshin-ha Chito-ryu includes not only the striking techniques typically seen in most karate styles, but joint locking, balance disruption, throws, and nerve pressure techniques as well.

In the spirit of Dr. Chitose’s broad and deep study of various martial arts, all of our senior instructors have years of training in a wide variety of martial arts, including Jiu Jitsu, Kobudo, Baguazhang, Tongbei Quan, Aiki Jiu Jitsu, and a number of other Naha and Shorin ryu based karate styles. They use this training and knowledge to unlock the deeper levels of the curriculum Dr. Chitose left us, as well as to provide a basis for future technical development.

The Koshin-ha Structure

Unlike many martial arts organizations run by a single person, the Koshin-ha is governed by two groups of individuals: senior practitioners (known collectively as the Shihan-kai), and dojo chief instructors (known collectively as the Shibu-kai).

Koshin-ha Shihan-kai

The Shihan-kai is structured to allow for an exchange of ideas among the senior members of the organization, serving to improve the understanding and technical excellence of all organization members. It is comprised of organization members with the rank of godan (5th degree black belt) or higher and is responsible for the development and implementation of the organization's technical standards and curricular requirements.

Koshin-ha Shibu-kai

The Shibu-kai is structured to allow for all chief instructors of the various Shibu-dojo to have a part in the running of the organization without compromising their own dojo's financial stability. As they are the individuals in the organization with the most to lose financially, it is only fitting that they determine organization policy concerning financial matters. The Shibu-kai are in the best position to determine what fees are appropriate and affordable for their own students and the organization as a whole.