Kyan Chōtoku
Kyan Chōtoku
喜屋武朝徳
JPN
1870-12 - 1945-09-20
Shuri - Ishikawa
star49.4 · Notable
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)
  • Matsumura Sōkon
    Matsumura Sōkon
    linkShuri-te 3
    Confirmed
    EN Wikipedia states Kyan studied under Matsumura Sōkon from the age of 16 for two years; the Seibukan official history confirms he learned Seisan and Gojushiho from Matsumura from around 16 through his father, then studied under him at 20; Charles Goodin's article confirms Kyan as a disciple of Matsumura Sokon
    (1886-1888)
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     3 sources
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Kyan studied under Matsumura Sōkon from the age of 16 for two years; the Seibukan official history confirms he learned Seisan and Gojushiho from Matsumura from around 16 through his father, then studied under him at 20; Charles Goodin's article confirms Kyan as a disciple of Matsumura Sokon
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "From the age of 16 Chōtoku studied under Matsumura Sōkon for two years."
    — Chōtoku Kyan - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo
    "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。"
    — 少林流聖武館歴史 - 国際沖縄少林流聖武館空手道協会 linkinfo
    "Kyan (who was a disciple of Matsumura Sokon of Shuri, among others)."
    — Goodin, Charles C.. (2021). Nagamine Shoshin: Karate and Zen as Onelinkinfo
  • Oyadomari Kōkan
    linkTomari-te 3
    Confirmed
    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
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     3 sources
    fact_check
    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
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "After returning home, probably at the age of 20 he began studying Tomari-te with Kosaku Matsumora and Kokan Oyadomari from Tomari village."
    — Chōtoku Kyan - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo
    "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。"
    — 少林流聖武館歴史 - 国際沖縄少林流聖武館空手道協会 linkinfo
    "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 Masterslinkinfo
  • Matsumora Kōsaku
    Matsumora Kōsaku
    linkTomari-te 3
    Confirmed
    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
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     2 sources
    fact_check
    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
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "After returning home, probably at the age of 20 he began studying Tomari-te with Kosaku Matsumora and Kokan Oyadomari from Tomari village."
    — Chōtoku Kyan - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo
    "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。"
    — 少林流聖武館歴史 - 国際沖縄少林流聖武館空手道協会 linkinfo
  • Kyan Chōfu
    Kyan Chōfu
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     3 sources
    fact_check
    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 (from Meiji 8, and again at age 14 kazoe), and Geoffrey Gaudion records Chofu training his son in sumo and karate wrestling outdoors in winter
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "Kyan's father is noted as possibly having a background in karate and even teaching Kyan tegumi in his early years."
    — Chōtoku Kyan - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo
    "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。"
    — 少林流聖武館歴史 - 国際沖縄少林流聖武館空手道協会 linkinfo
    "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 Masterslinkinfo
  • Itosu Ankō
    Itosu Ankō
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     1 source
    fact_check
    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 level 2
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "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 Masterslinkinfo
Students (8)
  • Shimabukuro Zenryō
    Shimabukuro Zenryō
    linkShorin-ryu 3
    Confirmed
    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
    (1935-1945)
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     3 sources
    fact_check
    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
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "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。"
    — 少林流聖武館歴史 - 国際沖縄少林流聖武館空手道協会 linkinfo
    "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)linkinfo
    "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 Societylinkinfo
  • Shimabuku Tatsuo
    Shimabuku Tatsuo
    linkShorin-ryu 3
    Confirmed
    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)
    (1927-1939)
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     2 sources
    fact_check
    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)
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "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."
    — Tatsuo Shimabuku - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)linkinfo
    "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 Kobudolinkinfo
  • Nakazato Jōen
    Nakazato Jōen
    (1937-1943)
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     3 sources
    fact_check
    The ODKS monument page (Okinawa Dento Karatedo Shinkokai) states Nakazato studied under Kyan Chotoku from 1938 to 1943, six years and eight months, learning the essence of Shuri-te and Tomari-te; the Shorinji-ryu Shinkokai lineage page gives the exact dates April 1937 to December 1943; the Kiyobukan lineage page describes Nakazato as "one of the most noted students of Chotoku Kyan"; this corroborates the Wikidata P1066 claim
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "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 linkinfo
    "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 Branchlinkinfo
    "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."
    — Our Lineage - Kiyobukan Karate and Kobudo linkinfo
  • Nakama Chōzō
    linkShorin-ryu 2
    Probable
    EN Wikipedia lists Chotoku Kyan among the teachers Nakama also studied with
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     1 source
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia lists Chotoku Kyan among the teachers Nakama also studied with
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "however, Nakama also studied with Chomo Hanashiro, Chōtoku Kyan, Kenwa Mabuni, Choki Motobu, and Kentsu Yabu."
    — Chozo Nakama - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo
  • Nagamine Shōshin
    Nagamine Shōshin
    linkShorin-ryu 3
    Confirmed
    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)
    (1931-1936)
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     5 sources
    fact_check
    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)
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "My second teacher was the old master Chotoku Kyan... I studied directly under him from December 1931 through August 1936... at Kadena Police Station."
    — Nagamine, Shoshin. A Short Autobiography of Grandmaster Shoshin Nagaminelinkinfo
    "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。"
    — 長嶺将真 - Wikipedia (JA). Wikipedia (Japanese) linkinfo
    "While stationed at the Kadena Police Station he studied under Kyan Chotoku for approximately two years."
    — Shui/Tumai-di: Nagamine Shoshin Honoring Monument - Okinawa Karate Tourismlinkinfo
    "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 Onelinkinfo
    "During his time as a police officer, Nagamine received further instruction in karate from Chotoku Kyan and Motobu Choki."
    — Shōshin Nagamine - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)linkinfo
  • Hisataka Kōri
    Hisataka Kōri
    linkShorin-ryu 3
    Confirmed
    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
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     4 sources
    fact_check
    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
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "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. 61-62linkinfo
    "In August 1930, he toured Taiwan with Chotoku Kyan and Ryosei Kuwae demonstrating karate at the Taipei Butokuden."
    — Kōri Hisataka - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo
    "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 Canberralinkinfo
    "Shinan Kori Kudaka (Hisataka) 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."
    — Dedication - Shorinjiryu Hombu Dojolinkinfo
  • Arakaki Ankichi
    Arakaki Ankichi
    linkShorin-ryu 2
    Probable
    The Gaudion essay states that upon discharge from military service in 1921, Arakaki moved to Kadena where he learned karate from Chotoku Kyan; a single source, hence level 2
    (1921)
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     1 source
    fact_check
    The Gaudion essay states that upon discharge from military service in 1921, Arakaki moved to Kadena where he learned karate from Chotoku Kyan; a single source, hence level 2
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "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 Masterslinkinfo
  • Akamine Seiichi
    Akamine Seiichi
    linkShorin-ryu 3
    Confirmed
    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
    expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
     2 sources
    fact_check
    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
    assessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    "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。"
    — 赤嶺誠一 - Wikipedia (JA). Wikipedia (Japanese) linkinfo
    "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 Kanlinkinfo
Sources
Chōtoku Kyan - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)linkinfo
少林流聖武館歴史 - 国際沖縄少林流聖武館空手道協会 linkinfo
Gaudion, Geoffrey E.. Shoshin Nagamine and Some of His Masters linkinfo
Goodin, Charles C.. (2021). Nagamine Shoshin: Karate and Zen as One linkinfo
Linked data
Wikidata data_object JSON-LDdata_object Turtle
https://martial.is/entity/01KZC4PN01Y3PH3HRWWJPAH82A
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