Chito

Not quite. After shodan, there is use of the bo (Chito Bo) but no other weapons. However, some Chito Ryu clubs (and one here that's Wado Ryu) also run a separate program of Ryukyu Kobujutsu. So, often housed in the same dojo but totally separate programs.

I am a Chito Ryu practitioner in NS. I know some of the clubs in NB and they are top notch. Where in NB are you?

Strong hikite. If you focus on the arm coming back, you'll notice a smoother, faster punch going out.

I'm not a practitioner of goju or shito. Could someone enlighten me to the differences between goju's seipai and shito's seipai... if any? Thanks!

One of the older black belts here was in the last tournament. He's in his 40's. Tall and lean, he's an excellant fighter. He gets winded a bit more than the 20 year olds... who he can beat because of tactics and strategy. He's "old school". Today, it's a lot more vicious and aggressive. I'd stick to the more "defense" type fighting than "offence". Good technique always wins out in the end.

I'm a Chito Ryu practitioner. It's a popular style in Canada, Australia, and Southeastern Japan. It also has a following in Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Jamaica, Singapore, and the US as well. It's based on Shorin Ryu and Shorei Ryu. 70% hard/30% soft. Our founder, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, took the best of both styles and applied his knowledge of human physiology (he was a medical doctor). Basically, he removed or modified anything detrimental to the body (for example, certain stances that can be very hard on the back and knee joints). If you got any questions, let me know.

I don't think there is the most deadly move... although some are rather brutal. In some of our bunkai, the area we strike can be severe. For example, one movement has the attacker coming in and with a bit of shift to their side, we slam the side/back of their knee with a side kick. They go down and a knife hand strike is leveled on the back of their neck. If done properly... I think sometimes we don't realize that it takes little pressure to break certain bones, etc. Also, just a legal matter. In Canada at least, if you're attacked, you must only use REASONABLE force to defend yourself. If you nail your attacker and they get seriously hurt, you can get charged with assault. It's a tricky situation especially with the hard style we practise. I sometimes think I should have gone with Aikido Cuz I know if I get attacked, especially with multiple people and I know my life is in danger, I'm not holding back.

Curious though... isn't it full contact? Do you wear protective gear? I know from my experience, if some of our people used full contact... YIKES!

Oh, i've seen it in about 4. But the course curriculum is very structured. And sometimes it takes a bit longer. The final word on who goes for testing is with the dojo's sensei. And of course, each person is different... I find some who have real natural ability will have to meet a higher standard then those who... well... just don't got it. lol

Just curious... how long does it take to achieve shodan in your style or dojo? It takes us about 5 years. And only one person in Canada is allowed to test us for it, Higashi Sensei (and the rank of 1st kyu is done by only one or two people on the provinical level). And it's NOT easy. He's failed a number of practitioners. One, who later became one of the best instructors, failed three times. Same with dan ranking. And we see shodan as a beginner... now having the learned the skills to start "real" karate. I just think sometimes a lot of schools go the quick and easy way which in may cases, not all, results in low quality skills. One school I talked to passed you on to shodan in two years. Any thoughts or experiences?

I love watching Sanshiryu and Ryusan performed. I've watched a number of different styles' kata and really find Chito Ryu to have the most "beautiful". Sounds odd... but while they can be hard and fast, there are moments of flowing, soft movements and are very dynamic.

LMAO... i'm 30. But I'll be there to watch on cheer on some friends.

Maybe I am thinking of the masters division... Probably... I just overheard the coach here talking about it... but come to think about it, you're probably right about that with regard to only the masters.

However... I'm pretty sure you can register for kata without being part of the team... team is all about kumite.

Yeah... I busted my shoulder one night doing a forward roll... Fear of falling is so innate. One of the tricks the video teaches is to have someone hold the knot in your belt as you lean backward over a mat... then just let go and break your fall... Like I said, anyone want some great tips on ukemi or how to improve your ukemi, check out those videos.

What style? All styles across Canada. If your style (through your dojos) belongs to the provincial association, then it will be represented. How it works... if your dojo is in goodstanding with the provincial association, you can try out for the provincial team. But, I also think you can compete without being a member of the team in kata... could be mistaken on that though. Living in Halifax and having fellow club members compete (plus, one of my sensei is the provincial coach), I'll be there FUN!

OK... remember when I said Jerry Lewis as the Nutty Professor? http://www.chitoryu.ca/shihan/shihan_report4.cgi?act=display&lname=Delaney&fname=Michael LOL

So, you'd turn away someone coming to learn and get in shape because they're overweight?

Wow... interesting response. Again, my instructor was considered one of the best in the country and even known world wide in our style. And having produced, trained and coached so many competitors of world class calibre says something. And although he was chubby and geeky, I pity the person who would have tangled with him. Same with my current sensei. And for the negative comment, think you could keep up with Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

Curious... do many of you have instructors who are somewhat older and overweight? My first sensei was one of the very fit types and an excellent competitor. My second sensei (same style) would best be described as a chubby Jerry Lewis' Nutty Professor Friends of mine always thought it was weird that he'd be a Renshi with so much ability. But this man was BORN to teach and knew the art inside and out. Trained for over 30 years, was one of the technical directors of our style, and helped form our provincial karate association for the advancement of all karate in NS. From our own dojo in little ol Nova Scotia, we produced 4 National champions (one of our members was the 8 time Canadian champion and 16th worldwide) and several international placings in our styles tri-annual Soke Cup. Sadly, he passed away from cancer and is sadly missed. His replacement, his assistant, is a friendly but ruff and gruff kinda guy with a rather large beer belly But again, he knows karate inside out as well. And again, one of our styles national technical directors. I guess I'm just throwing this out there for some comment... sometimes we don't realize that the body ages and sometimes our physical ability to do things also changes. My senseis make not be able to do a spinning roundhouse anymore (hell, I can't to begin with... lol) or look like lean, mean martial artists, but are some of the best instructors I've ever known. Anyone with similar experiences?

Chito Ryu is alive and well. The US Chito Kai broke away from the International Chito Kai in the mid-90's. Politics I think. So, really, Chito Ryu is still alive and well under Dometrich who remains committed to the ways of Chitose Sensei. They're just not attached to the main governing body in Japan. The political issue was with Chitose's son, current Soke. Now, there have been several "divorces" similar to Dometrich's. David Akutagawa of Canada left Chito Ryu in 1996 and formed Renshikan. Again, politics. Both these men though are of high calibre and and their organizations credible. Also, one of the main concepts in the creation of Chito Ryu was medical anatomy. O'Sensei was a doctor who felt certain parts of karate were detrimental to the body. So, he combined the best of the two old styles of Shorei and Shorin, applied his medical knowledge, and Chito Ryu was born.

"skeet"... although not spelled that way I think... means attention? at least thats what is expected.

No stripes or new belts in Chito Ryu for yudansha ranks. Course, you kinda get an idea who has had their black belt for awhile... they usually turn grey and white with worn edges. And in our style, when they reach the level of Renshi, they wear the red and white belt.

It's good to decide what you personally like...then before your next grading, let your sensei know what size belt you need if successful. Or if they have a bunch already to go, go buy one that suits you. They're not expensive. Personally, mid thigh is best. Course, after taking time off, mine has only like 5 inches hanging. Think it shrunk

I have NEVER been able to do ukemi. That and not many instructors really teach it in depth. So... I found a very helpful video on amazon.com called UKEMI: THE ART OF FALLING. It's from an Aikido sensei named Bruce Bookman. I watched the video but have yet to try it's suggestions. However, after watching it, I feel that ukemi will be easier to do. I recommend the video!! It's very clear and basic. There is the basic one then the advanced one. I got the basic which is really all I need for my style of karate. Additonal question... does body types and weight play a roll in ukemi?