Dojo History
The Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club was first formed in 1970 by Sensei David Aukutagawa and is one of the oldest practising karate clubs in Edmonton. We have been offering classes in traditional Chito-Ryu Karate-do at its present location since 1974.
We offer children’s, adult and family oriented classes, with a focus on building community and a safe learning environment.
History of Chito ryu
Chito Ryu style of Karate was founded in Japan by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose (O-Sensei). Chito Ryu derives much of its basis from the two forms of ‘Te’ (early Karate). Naha Te and Shuri Te are the hard and soft styles, respectively, that were prevalent in the Okinawan towns of Naha and Shuri where O-Sensei and many other Karate masters were born and raised.
This style is a traditional Japanese / Okinawan martial art consisting of strikes, kicks, blocks, throws and holds. Chito Ryu training provides a complete regimen suitable for those seeking physical exercise, sport competition and self defense skills.
Training is based on basic techniques (kihon), forms (Kata) and fighting ( Kumite). Its foundation Kata are Shiho-Hai, Niseishi, Seisan, Rohai, Bassai and Chinto. Its main stances are seisan dachi, shiko-dachi, kosa-dachi, uchi-hachiji-dachi and sanchin-dachi.
Chito Ryu possesses martial arts techniques which truly balance the strengths and weaknesses of the original Okinawan ‘Te’ styles. It is also based on a platform of human anatomy and physiology, providing a further unique perspective and effectiveness.
The Meaning of Chito Ryu
Chi 1000 (Years old)
To T’ang (Chinese era)
Ryu Style
Kara Empty
Te Hand
Sensei Shane Yukio Higashi, 10th-dan, Hanshi
The Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club is fortunate to receive technical direction and guidance from Sensei Shane Yukio Higashi, 10th Dan Hanshi. Aside from his duties as chief instructor at the Honbucho Dojo in Toronto (50 years and counting!), Higashi Sensei is the Technical Head for Chito Ryu Canada, with over 42 member clubs and 2000 students. In addition, he oversees the development of a growing number of international clubs, is a member of the technical committee of the National Karate Association and his Toronto dojo also serves as the Canadian Honbucho for the Hozon Shinko style of Kobudo.
Higashi Sensei began to study karate in 1961, under the instruction of then 6th Dan, Masami Tsuruoka Sensei. At the Tsuruoka karate school, the young Higashi soon became a star pupil, attaining his Shodan in Chito Ryu Karate in just one year. By 1964, he became the grand champion of the Canadian Open Karate Tournament.
Higashi Sensei continued to rapidly achieve higher ranks while training extensively in Japan and Canada. In 1979, he was awarded Kyoshi-go (elite master instructor licence) and was designated as the leading authority in Canada for Chito Ryu Karate by its founder, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose.
In July of 2007, he was honored at the National Karate Association’s AGM with a lifetime achievement award, and in the fall of 2008, he was inducted into the Karate Black Belt Hall of Fame. Very recently, Sensei Higashi was awarded his 10th degree Hanshi title, by the Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate Association. Higashi-Hanshi has been instrumental in spreading Chito Ryu karate around the world.