Also known as
Kyan Chotoku · Choutoku Kyan · Chotoku Kyan · Chotoku Kiyan · きゃん ちょうとく
Description
Okinawan karate master (1870-1945), third son of court official Chōfu Kyan;
studied under Matsumura Sōkon, Kōkan Oyadomari and Kōsaku Matsumora, and had a
large influence on Shorin-ryu and related styles; a participant in the 1936
meeting of Okinawan masters where the term "karate" was standardized.
Teachers (5)
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Matsumura Sōkon
sports_martial_artsShuri-te
Confirmed
(1886–1888)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
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EN Wikipedia states Kyan studied under Matsumura Sōkon from the age of 16 for
two years; two other sources confirm it.
“From the age of 16 Chōtoku studied under Matsumura Sōkon for two years.”
“朝徳は、数え年１４才になった時、父朝扶から初めて空手の指導を受け、１６歳頃になると父を介して松村宗棍からセイサンや五十四歩の型を学んだ。[...]20歳のときに帰省し、首里手の松村宗棍、泊手の親泊興寛に師事し、空手道の大家となる。”
“Kyan (who was a disciple of Matsumura Sokon of Shuri, among others).”
— Goodin, Charles C.. (2021). Nagamine Shoshin:
Karate and Zen as Onelink
history
info
-
person
Oyadomari Kōkan
sports_martial_artsTomari-te
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
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EN Wikipedia states Kyan began studying Tomari-te with Kokan Oyadomari from
Tomari village after returning to Okinawa; the Seibukan official history names
親泊興寛 (Oyadomari) among his teachers; Geoffrey Gaudion names "Pechin
Oyadomari in Naha" as one of the three masters Chofu asked to teach his son
“After returning home, probably at the age of 20 he began studying Tomari-te
with Kosaku Matsumora and Kokan Oyadomari from Tomari village.”
“明治８年、父（喜屋武朝扶）より空手道の手ほどきを受け、当時の空手界の重鎮首里の松村宗棍、泊の松茂良興作、親泊興寛などから空手を伝授され、後に「首里」の達人となった。”
“At that time there were three noted karatemen in Okinawa: Sokon Matsumura in
Shuri, Anko Itosu, also in Shuri, and Pechin Oyadomari in Naha. Chofu asked the
three of them to teach his son karate.”
— Gaudion, Geoffrey E.. Shoshin Nagamine and Some of
His Masterslink
history
info
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Matsumora Kōsaku
sports_martial_artsTomari-te
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
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EN Wikipedia states Kyan began studying Tomari-te with Kosaku Matsumora from
Tomari village after returning to Okinawa; the Seibukan official history names
松茂良興作 (Matsumora) among his teachers
“After returning home, probably at the age of 20 he began studying Tomari-te
with Kosaku Matsumora and Kokan Oyadomari from Tomari village.”
“明治８年、父（喜屋武朝扶）より空手道の手ほどきを受け、当時の空手界の重鎮首里の松村宗棍、泊の松茂良興作、親泊興寛などから空手を伝授され、後に「首里」の達人となった。”
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Kyan Chōfu
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
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EN Wikipedia states Kyan's father Chōfu possibly had a karate background and
even taught Kyan tegumi in his early years; the Seibukan official history
confirms Chofu gave Kyan his first karate instruction, and Geoffrey Gaudion
records Chofu training his son in sumo and karate wrestling outdoors in winter
“Kyan's father is noted as possibly having a background in karate and even
teaching Kyan tegumi in his early years.”
“明治８年、父（喜屋武朝扶）より空手道の手ほどきを受け[...]朝徳は、数え年１４才になった時、父朝扶から初めて空手の指導を受け”
“Chotoku's father, Chofu, took him outdoors on cold winter days to train him
in sumo and karate wrestling.”
— Gaudion, Geoffrey E.. Shoshin Nagamine and Some of
His Masterslink
history
info
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Itosu Ankō
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
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Geoffrey Gaudion's account states Chofu Kyan asked three masters - Sokon
Matsumura, Anko Itosu and Pechin Oyadomari - to teach his son; the Itosu
connection appears only in this source, hence probable
“At that time there were three noted karatemen in Okinawa: Sokon Matsumura in
Shuri, Anko Itosu, also in Shuri, and Pechin Oyadomari in Naha. Chofu asked the
three of them to teach his son karate.”
— Gaudion, Geoffrey E.. Shoshin Nagamine and Some of
His Masterslink
history
info
Member of (1)
-
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
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“This group included Gichin Funakoshi, Chojo Oshiro, Chomo Hanashiro, Chotoku
Kyan, Chojun Miyagi, Kenwa Mabuni, Go Ken Ki [Wu Xiangui] (Chinese Master of
White Crane Boxing), Kentsu Yabu, Chuhatso [Juhatsu] Kyoda, and Moden Yabiku.”
— Cramer, Mark I.. (2018). The History of Karate and
the Masters Who Made It: Development, Lineages, and Philosophies of Traditional
Okinawan and Japanese Karate-doinfo
Students (10)
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Shimabukuro Zenryō
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Confirmed
(1935–1945)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
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The official Seibukan history states Shimabukuro knocked on Kyan's door in
1935 and studied Kyan's Shorin-ryu until Kyan's death in 1945; the EN
Wikipedia gives 1932-1945 and the Shuriway biography describes him as Kyan's
foremost disciple with ten years of private training
“昭和10年、当時沖縄県読谷村の比謝川湖畔に住んでおられた沖縄空手の大家チャンミーグヮーこと喜屋武朝徳先生の門を叩き空手道に入る。”
“He began his training with Kyan in 1932, but trained with him until Kyan's
death in 1945, excluding the years during World War II, when karate instruction
had ceased.”
— Zenryō Shimabukuro - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia
(English)link
history
info
“Master Zenryo Shimabukuro [...] was the foremost disciple of Sensei Chotoku
Kyan [...] After completing 10 years of Karate as a private student under the
great Master Chotoku Kyan, he began teaching.”
— Zenryo Shimabukuro - Seibukan Shorin-Ryu
(Shuriway). International Shuriway Karate & Kobudo Societylink
history
info
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person
Shimabukuro Tarō
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
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“The list of Chotoku Kyan’s students is quite impressive: Shoshin Nagamine
(Matsubayashi Ryu), Joen Nakazato (Shorin Ryu), Tatsuo Shimabuku (Isshin Ryu),
Eizo Shimabuku (Shobayshi Ryu), Ankichi Aragaki, and Taro Shimabuku.”
— Cramer, Mark I.. (2018). The History of Karate and
the Masters Who Made It: Development, Lineages, and Philosophies of Traditional
Okinawan and Japanese Karate-doinfo
-
person
Shimabukuro Eizō
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
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“The list of Chotoku Kyan’s students is quite impressive: Shoshin Nagamine
(Matsubayashi Ryu), Joen Nakazato (Shorin Ryu), Tatsuo Shimabuku [...] (Isshin
Ryu), Eizo Shimabuku (Shobayshi Ryu)”
— Cramer, Mark I.. (2018). The History of Karate and
the Masters Who Made It: Development, Lineages, and Philosophies of Traditional
Okinawan and Japanese Karate-doinfo
-
Shimabuku Tatsuo
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Confirmed
(1927–1939)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
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EN Wikipedia states Shimabuku studied Shorin-ryu under Chotoku Kyan from around
1927 until 1939, becoming one of Kyan's best students; corroborated by the
Advincula biography (four years from about age 23-24, c. 1931-1935, a
conflicting period)
“Around the age of 19 (1927), he began to study Shorin-ryu karate under Chotoku
Kyan at Kyan's home [...] Shimabuku studied with Kyan until 1939.”
“At the time, Shimabuku who was around age 23 or 24, and a poor farmer's
son,walked barefooted to study with Kyan [...] He studied Shuri te with Kyan for
four years.”
— Advincula, A. J.. (1997). Dragon Man: Shimabuku
Tatsuo Sensei, founder of Isshin-ryu Karate and Kobudolink
history
info
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Nakazato Jōen
(1937–1943)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
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The ODKS monument page states Nakazato studied under Kyan Chotoku from 1938 to
1943, six years and eight months; the Shorinji-ryu Shinkokai lineage page gives
the exact dates April 1937 to December 1943
“from 1938 to 1943, he studied under Kyan Chotoku, who was known as the
"Kensei." During his unusually long training period of six years and
eight months, he learned the essence of Shuri-te and Tomari-te from Kyan Chotoku
and faithfully inherited his teachings.”
— Shorinji-Ryu Founder Nakazato Joen Sensei
Commemorative Monument - Okinawa Karate Tourism
link
history
info
“Nakazato studied karate under Chotoku Kyan from April 1937 to December 1943
while a student at the Okinawa Prefecture Agriculture School.”
— Lineage - Okinawa Karate-do Shorinji-ryu Shinkokai
USA Branchlink
history
info
“Nakazato, one of the most noted students of Chotoku Kyan (student of the great
Matsumura Sokon) and founder of Shorinji-ryu, would teach Nakaza Shuri-Te.”
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person
Nakama Chōzō
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
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EN Wikipedia lists Chotoku Kyan among the teachers Nakama also studied with
“however, Nakama also studied with Chomo Hanashiro, Chōtoku Kyan, Kenwa Mabuni,
Choki Motobu, and Kentsu Yabu.”
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Nagamine Shōshin
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Confirmed
(1931–1936)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
5 sources
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Nagamine's own autobiography names Kyan as his "second teacher",
studied directly under him from December 1931 through August 1936 at Kadena
Police Station; confirmed by JA Wikipedia (1931, Kadena), the ODKS monument page
(about two years) and the Goodin article (1931-1935)
visibilityFirst-hand
“During my first assignment days at Kadena Police Station, from December 1931
through August 1936, I was deeply influenced by direct guidance of most famous
Sensei, Mr. Chotoku Kyan who became my second teacher.”
— Nagamine, Shoshin. A Short Autobiography of
Grandmaster Shoshin Nagaminelink
history
info
“1931年（昭和6年）、沖縄県巡査となり嘉手納警察署勤務になったことから、地元に住む喜屋武朝徳に師事することになった。”
“During this time, he studied under Kyan Chotoku, who resided near the Kadena
Police Station where Nagamine was first stationed, for approximately two years.”
— Shui/Tumai-di: Nagamine Shoshin Honoring Monument -
Okinawa Karate Tourismlink
history
info
“During his years as a policeman at the Kadena Police Station (1931-1935),
Nagamine studied directly under Kyan”
— Goodin, Charles C.. (2021). Nagamine Shoshin:
Karate and Zen as Onelink
history
info
“During his time as a police officer, Nagamine received further instruction in
karate from Chotoku Kyan and Motobu Choki”
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Hisataka Kōri
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
4 sources
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EN Wikipedia states Hisataka studied karate most notably from Chotoku Kyan and
toured Taiwan with him in 1930; the Kengokan and Shorinjiryu Hombu biographies
describe Kyan as his main teacher
“He studied karate, kobudo and jujutsu, most notably karate from Chotoku Kyan
and weapons from kobudo pioneer (and former Prefectural police superintendent),
Sanda Kanagusuku.”
— Wikipedia, apud Tetsuhiro Hokama, 100 Masters of
Okinawan Karate (Okinawa Gojuryu Kenshi-kai Karate-do Kobudo Association, trans.
Charles (Joe) Swift), p. 61-62link
history
info
“In August 1930, he toured Taiwan with Chotoku Kyan and Ryosei Kuwae
demonstrating karate at the Taipei Butokuden”
“Perhaps the main teacher of Kaiso Hisataka was Master Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945)
[...] In 1929-30, he travelled to Taiwan along with his teacher, Master Chotoku
Kyan and Master Ryosei Kuwae.”
— The Founder: Kaiso Kori Hisataka - Kengokan Karate
Dojo Canberralink
history
info
“Shinan Kori Kudaka (Hisataka, b. 1907 – d. 1988) was the founder of Shorinjiryu
Kenkokan Karatedo [...] His first instructors were his father, grandfather and
uncle who introduced him to the family form of Okinawa-Te known as Kudaka-ryu
[...] Perhaps the main teacher of Shinan Kudaka was Master Chotoku Kyan”
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Arakaki Ankichi
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Confirmed
(1921)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
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Independent sources state it.
“Upon discharge from the military service in 1921, Arakaki moved to the village
of Kadena, where he learned karate from Chotoku Kyan, one of Okinawa's
greatest karatemen.”
— Gaudion, Geoffrey E.. Shoshin Nagamine and Some of
His Masterslink
history
info
“The list of Chotoku Kyan’s students is quite impressive: Shoshin Nagamine
(Matsubayashi Ryu) [...] Ankichi Aragaki, and Taro Shimabuku.”
— Cramer, Mark I.. (2018). The History of Karate and
the Masters Who Made It: Development, Lineages, and Philosophies of Traditional
Okinawan and Japanese Karate-doinfo
-
Akamine Seiichi
sports_martial_artsShorin-ryu
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
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JA Wikipedia states Akamine practiced te in Shuri under Chotoku Kyan;
corroborated by the Bushido Reiryoku Kan biography listing Kyan among his
Shorin-ryu teachers
“以降、花城長茂、屋部憲通および喜屋武朝徳のもと首里で手 (沖縄武術)を修行し、その後宮城長順に出会い、剛柔流に専念する。”
“After the teachings he received from his grandfather, he trained in the
Shorin-Ryu style, with the following teachers: Chomo Hanashiro (1869-1945),
Kentsu Yabu (1866-1937) and Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945).”
— Fernandez de la Reguera, Roberto. Master Seiichi
Akamine - Bushido Reiryoku Kanlink
history
info
Identifiers
https://martial.is/entity/01KZC4PN01Y3PH3HRWWJPAH82A
Cite and reuse
CC BY-SA 4.0expand_more
Plain text
Muñoz, Frederico (YEAR_PLACEHOLDER). Kyan Chōtoku. In Martialis: Martial Arts
Lineage Database. https://martial.is/entity/01KZC4PN01Y3PH3HRWWJPAH82A - CC
BY-SA 4.0. Accessed ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER.
BibTeX
@incollection{martialis_01KZC4PN01Y3PH3HRWWJPAH82A, author = {Muñoz, Frederico},
title = {Kyan Chōtoku}, booktitle = {Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database},
year = {YEAR_PLACEHOLDER}, url =
{https://martial.is/entity/01KZC4PN01Y3PH3HRWWJPAH82A}, urldate =
{ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER}, note = {CC BY-SA 4.0} }
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