Gratitude For Our Teachers & The Chito-Ryu Legacy

7 Days to Go... Until The Sign-On Day

As we continue our countdown to the Sign-On Day, we want to take a moment to express deep gratitude for the teachers, mentors, and pioneers who have paved the way for us and future generations. Without them, we wouldn’t have the privilege of sharing Chito-Ryu Karate-Do with the Sunshine Coast community.

Pop Culture & Martial Arts: A Gateway for Many

For many of us, martial arts first captured our imagination through movies and television. Back when we first started training, it seemed like a new Bruce Lee movie was hitting the big screen every other week! Over the years, martial arts have continued to gain popularity thanks to pop culture icons such as:

• Jackie Chan
• The Karate Kid (Mr. Miyagi & Daniel-san)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Power Rangers

And of course, countless Hollywood films have showcased incredible martial arts fight scenes that continue to inspire new generations.  In fact just today, we had 2 new students came in for a trial lesson after watching Kobra Kai on Netflix.

However, while movies may introduce people to the idea of martial arts, the reality of training is quite different. Karate is about more than just flashy kicks and fight sequences—it’s about discipline, perseverance, and a lifelong journey of self-improvement.

Finding Our Path In Chito-Ryu

The martial arts industry is largely unregulated, meaning anyone can open a dojo. Looking back, we feel incredibly fortunate that our journey led us to Chito-Ryu Karate-Do - a style that has provided us with not only a solid technical foundation but also a deep, lifelong study of karate as a way of life.

Between us, we have been training in Chito-Ryu for more than 75 years combined, yet in the presence of our teachers, we still feel like beginners with so much more to learn. This depth is one of the things we love most about Chito-Ryu. It’s not about achieving a black belt and stopping - it’s about constant growth, refinement, and discovery.

Honoring Our Teachers & The Chito-Ryu Lineag

Our original teacher, Brian Hayes Sensei, introduced us to Chito-Ryu and laid the foundation for our journey. While he is no longer practicing Chito-Ryu, we are incredibly grateful that he connected us with 2nd Generation Chito-Ryu Soke Tsuyoshi Chitose, the former head of the International Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (ICKF).

Just last year his eldest son has taken over the leadership of Chito-Ryu internationally and we were fortunate to be a part of the ceremonial hand-over to the 3rd Generation Soke.

The Chito-Ryu style was established by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose (O-Sensei), who was a renowned Okinawan ‘Kake-Dameshi’ (Challenge Match) fighter. O-Sensei was the Sixth Master of Tode, part of a lineage that traces back centuries, through generations of royal bodyguards and legendary martial artists in Okinawa.

Though we never had the chance to train directly with O-Sensei, we have been privileged to learn from many of his senior students - masters in their own right who continue to preserve and pass down his teachings.

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

Every year, we travel to Japan and other countries to continue our training in Chito-Ryu. We maintain strong ties with Soke and his dojo in Kumamoto, Japan, and through him, we’ve connected with many of the world’s leading Chito-Ryu instructors.

Since 2004, we’ve also worked hard to bring world-class instructors to the Sunshine Coast, ensuring that our students benefit from the rich knowledge and experience of these incredible teachers. In recent years, we’ve had the honor of hosting  2nd & 3rd Generation Soke and Higuchi Sensei right here in our dojo.

Experience the Legacy Firsthand

Chito-Ryu Karate is more than just a martial art - it’s a rich tradition passed down through generations. We are incredibly fortunate to be part of this lineage and to share it with the Sunshine Coast community.

Although our teachers won’t be physically present at our upcoming Sign-On Day, their teachings are woven into every class, every lesson, and every student who walks through our doors.