Shintora-Kai Canada

    Shintora-Kai Canada, is an Association of Okinawan rooted Karate , based from the Chito-Ryu Karate system. Shintora, as it may be known, is a culmination of the teachings of O'Sensei Chitose, Soke Chitose, Inomoto Sensei, Kugizaki Sensei, Kato Sensei, Tsuruoka Sensei, Higashi Sensei and Sakamoto Sensei. All of these Sensei's contributed to the development of Shintora-Kai. Some contributed in a small way, while others were the major influence to the development. Shintora-Kai. Although based on O'Sensei Chitose's Chito-Ryu style, is not affiliated, or associated to Chito-Ryu, nor does it make any reference to Chito-Ryu, other than it's origin of linage. Instead, it takes the years of teachings by these great Chito-Ryu Sensei's and combines these roots into a Canadian format.
   Many changes have taken place throughout the years, and scientific knowledge that was not available years ago, has now become available. These changes in the medical and scientific circles, coupled with the changes in competition rules, have allowed us to form an Association that addresses both of these issues. With the inoculation of the NCCP Program within Karate, there has been a wealth of information that is changing the face of Karate, thus was born Shintora-Kai. We would like to acknowledge, and thank O'Sensei Chitose, Soke Chitose & Higashi Sensei, who were our most devoted instructors for over 30 years, and gave us the knowledge and fortitude that we have today. Without their guidance, we would be nothing.

Shintora-Kai Canada Lineage

    Shintora-Kai's roots started from 1726, with the first Master Chinen Oya Unjo, who became the military attaché of the martial arts. The second master was Matsumura Oya Unjo, [1758] known as the Samurai Matsumura. The third great master was Awane Oyakata[1816]. The fourth master was Sotoyama Oya Unjo[1838]. The fifth master was Aragaki Ou [1860]. The sixth Master was Tsuyoshi Chitose [Chinen]. The 7th. Master is Tsuyoshi Chitose [O'Sensei's Son Yasuhiro]. Senior students of O'Sensei were Tsuruoka Sensei, who was the leader of Chito-Ryu in Canada initially, and his Senior Student Higashi Sensei. In 1979, Chito-Ryu had a split between Tsuruoka Sensei & Higashi Sensei. We followed under the leadership of Higashi Sensei from 1979 to 2004. In 2004, due to internal disagreements, Shintora-kai Canada has been formed to carry on the teachings of the knowledge taught by these great instructors.
   To compliment the teachings of the Chitose family and Higashi Sensei, Shintora-kais Canadian members have had several training sessions with other senior Chito-Ryu masters, past and present. These include Kugizaki & Kato Sensei's of Chito-Ryu, Inomoto Sensei, formally O'Sensei's senior student now of Rengo-Kai fame, Sakamoto Sensei,formally of Chito-Ryu Sohombu, now of Ryusei fame and Tsuruoka Sensei of Tsuruoka-Ryu. We are very proud to have all of these people as part of our roots.

Shintora-Kai Canada Technical Structure

Kancho Oliver's History