Chotoku Kyan

Chotoku Kyan (Kyan Chōtoku, 1870 - 1945) was born in Shuri in December 1870 (a district of current the Naha, Okinawa) like Gichin Funakoshi. It is one of the most known Masters of Karaté of Okinawa.

Its youth

Chotoku was the third wire of Chofu Kyan, the chamberlain of the last King of Okinawa. Young person of a very weak constitution, it practiced in an intensive way with his father.

The karate of Kyan Chotoku Sensei

It was initiated with karate by his father, who could introduce it at Sokon Matsumura, the father of Shurite and Sensei of famous the Itosu (which modified all the Kata transmitted by Sokon Matsumura!). It was also involved with Kosaku Matsumura (of Tomari-you not to confuse with the precedent) who allowed him to study the old man passed transmitted by Peichin Oyodomari.

This old man passed is always practiced thanks to Nakasato Joen Sensei and Zenryo Shimabukuro (1908 - 1969) in Okinawa, whose version differs enough from that of Nagamine, influenced by Itosu. It with is noted that these 2 large Masters are little known in Occident, but it is certain that their kata is closer to the origins of Shurite, that those of Masters much more known who underwent all the influence of Itosu Sensei.

He says (but it is not proven) which he involved at the same time as Funakoshi Gichin (the founder of the Shotokan) at Matsumura Sokon.

With Matsumura Sokon he learned the kata Seisan and Goju shiho, kata which is close to those taught in Shotokan.

With Matsumura Kosaku, he learned the old version from Passed, Chinto (Gankaku in Shotokan). He learned Kusanku (Kanku dai) with Chatan Yara which was the internal disciple of…. Kushanku him even! Yara remained faithful to its Master (but was never very known) and transmitted this old man kata such as it is to Chotoku Kyan which also transmitted it to him without modification with Nakazoto Joen and Zenryo Shimabukuro. Once again, this version differs from that of Nagamine Sensei which is often taken in Référence for the old men kata (all at least by the authors French!).

The kata transmitted by Chotoku Kayn are thus:

Shurite: Seisan (Hangetsu) and Gojushi Ho;
Tomarite: Wanshu (Empi), Passed (Bassai DAi), Kushanku (Kanku dai), Chinto (Gankaku).

He added the kata Ananku, taught by his father and who would come from Taiwan.

It added the kata of Bô, Tokumine No Kun, but the divergent opinion on the fact that Chotoku Kyan learned it from Tokumine itself.

It is almost certain that the karate of Kyan Chtoku Sensei remains one of most faithful to the karate of origin practiced at the 19th century with Okinawa. (Dento Okinawa Karate).

Frightening Combatant, of small size, it developed a karate based on the Esquive S (Tai Sabaki). At one time when the Défi S were current, it does not to be published it never beaten. Its Surnom Chan semi gua remained famous in Okinawa.

End of its life

At the 72 years age, it still practiced and made a impressive Démonstration for the Inauguration of the Dojo of Nagamine Sensei. Man of a large heart, at the end of the Second world war, having survived the Battle of Okinawa, it gave all his food to the children living around him. He thus died in 1945 at the 75 years age of Malnutrition. Still an example to be meditated for our so-called Masters of modern karate!

Its pupils, his heritage in karate

Its two most faithful pupils are: Zenryo Shimabukuro (1908 - 1969) and Joen Nakazato (1922 -). They only tried to transmit without modifying it the karate of Kyan Chotoku.

Joen Nakazato created in 1954 the Shorinji ryu (the name refers to the Temple of Shaolin). He teaches the 9 katas learned with Chotoku Kyan.

With the Japan, the school of Chotoku Kyan perdure thanks to Yoshitoshi Sato which studied with Zenryo Shimabukuro and Joen Nakazato. It founded itself in 1994, Seishinkan Karate (the karate of the sincere heart) in order to preserve this Héritage.

See too

External bond

Presentation of Karate with Okinawa
Shorinji Ryu de Nakazato Joen Sensei taught in France

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