Chibana Chōshin

知花朝信
Japan
Born 1885-06-05, Shuri
Died 1969-02-26, Shuri
29.2

Also known as

Choshin Chibana · Chosin Chibana · ちばな ちょうしん

Description

Okinawan martial artist (1885-1969) who developed Kobayashi Shorin-ryu karate based on what he learned from Ankō Itosu; the first to establish a Japanese ryu name for an Okinawan karate style, naming Itosu's karate "Shorin-ryu" in 1929; called the "Last Warrior of Shuri".

Teachers (1)

  • Itosu Ankō
    sports_martial_artsShuri-te Confirmed
    Confirmed
    EN Wikipedia states Chibana began his study of martial arts under Anko Itosu in 1899 at about age 15 and trained under him for thirteen years until he turned 28; the Kata Step by Step biography of Chibana confirms the 1899 start and thirteen years of training
    The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
    Uchi-deshi (1899–1912)
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    2 sources expand_more
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Chibana began his study of martial arts under Anko Itosu in 1899 at about age 15 and trained under him for thirteen years until he turned 28; the Kata Step by Step biography of Chibana confirms the 1899 start and thirteen years of training
    “Choshin began his study of martial arts under Ankō Itosu in 1899 when he was about fifteen years old [...] for thirteen years until he turned 28, Choshin trained under Itosu.”
    — Chōshin Chibana - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
    “Chibana began his formal martial arts training under Itosu Ankō in 1899, at the age of fifteen [...] continuing his training until he was 28. After Itosu's passing at the age of 85, Chibana continued his practice independently for another five years before opening his first dojo.”
    — Karate Master Chibana Choshin - Kata Step by Step link history info

Lineage

Member of (1)

  • corporate_fareKarate Kenkyukai Possible
    Possible
    Single source; only a photo caption places him in the group.
    Some evidence points to the claim, but it is thin, indirect, or in unresolved conflict with other evidence.
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    1 source expand_more
    fact_check
    Single source; only a photo caption places him in the group.
    alt_routeIndirect
    “[This photo of the Karate Kenkyukai (study group) demonstrates that members of the so-called styles of Naha-te, Shuri-te, and Tomari-te trained together and learned from one another. Back row, left to right: Shinpan Shiroma, Choryo Maeshiro, Choshin Chibana, Genwa Nakasone.”
    — 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 (6)

  • Roy Y. Suenaka
    sports_martial_artsKobayashi Shorin-ryu Probable
    Probable
    Suenaka's official biography lists Kobayashi karate training under Chosin Chibana in 1962
    The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
    (1962)
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    1 source expand_more
    fact_check
    Suenaka's official biography lists Kobayashi karate training under Chosin Chibana in 1962
    visibilityFirst-hand
    “1962-1962 Chosin Chibana: Kobayashi Karate”
    — Biography of Roy Y. Suenaka, founder of Wadokai Aikidolink history info
  • Nakazato Shūgorō
    sports_martial_artsKobayashi Shorin-ryu Confirmed
    Confirmed
    EN Wikipedia states Nakazato became a student of Chosin Chibana after the war and received his shihan license from him in 1955; the Shorinkan Family Karate page confirms Chibana presented his personal black belt to Nakazato as his most influential student and awarded him 9th dan in 1967
    The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
    (1942–1969)
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    3 sources expand_more
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Nakazato became a student of Chosin Chibana after the war and received his shihan license from him in 1955; the Shorinkan Family Karate page confirms Chibana presented his personal black belt to Nakazato as his most influential student and awarded him 9th dan in 1967
    “In 1942, Nakazato joined the Japanese army [...] At the war's end, he returned to Okinawa to become a student of Chosin Chibana [...] After receiving his shihan license from Chibana in 1955, Nakazato opened his dojo at Aja, near Naha, calling it Nakazato Dojo.”
    — Shūgorō Nakazato - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
    “CHIBANA Sensei's most influential student of the modern day is NAKAZATO, Shugoro, to whom CHIBANA Sensei presented his personal black belt [...] in 1967, after nearly twenty years of training, was awarded 9thDan by his eminent instructor CHIBANA Choshin.”
    — History of Shorin-ryu Shorinkan Karate - Shorinkan Family Karatelink history info
    “Sensei Choshin Chibana had many influential Karateka, Sense Shugoro Nakazato was among them, eventually he created the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan association.”
    — O.B.I. Karate School - Virginia Shorin-ryu Shorinkanlinkhistory info
  • Nakama Chōzō
    sports_martial_artsKobayashi Shorin-ryu Confirmed
    Confirmed
    EN Wikipedia states Nakama's primary teacher was Chosin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu; the Motobu-ryu blog describes him as a senior disciple of Chibana Choshin
    The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    2 sources expand_more
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Nakama's primary teacher was Chosin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu; the Motobu-ryu blog describes him as a senior disciple of Chibana Choshin
    “His primary teacher was Chosin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu”
    — Chozo Nakama - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) link history info
    “He is a senior disciple of Chibana Chōshin.”
    — Motobu, Naoki. (2023). Nakama Chōzō's Gojūshiho - Motobu-ryu Bloglink history info
  • Miyahira Katsuya
    sports_martial_artsKobayashi Shorin-ryu Confirmed
    Confirmed
    EN Wikipedia states Miyahira created the Shido-kan branch of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu after the death of his teacher Choshin Chibana; the Shorinryu.de and Grand River biographies state he began karate under Chibana in April 1933 (at his dojo at Nakijin Goten of Yoshitsugu Teishi)
    The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
    (1933–1969)
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    3 sources expand_more
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Miyahira created the Shido-kan branch of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu after the death of his teacher Choshin Chibana; the Shorinryu.de and Grand River biographies state he began karate under Chibana in April 1933 (at his dojo at Nakijin Goten of Yoshitsugu Teishi)
    “Miyahira created the Shido-kan branch of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu after the death of his teacher, Chōshin Chibana.”
    — Katsuya Miyahira - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
    “His deep karate studies began in April 1933 under Chibana Choshin, studying traditional Shuri-te.”
    — Sensei Miyahira Katsuya - Shorinryu.delink history info
    “He became a student at the dojo of Choshin Chibana Sensei, which was located at Nakijin Goten of Yoshitsugu Teishi”
    — Katsuya Miyahira Bio - Grand River Karate link history info
  • Higa Yuchoku
    sports_martial_artsKobayashi Shorin-ryu Confirmed
    Confirmed
    EN Wikipedia states Higa began studies under Choshin Chibana in 1948 and was awarded 9th dan by him in 1965; the Shuriway biography gives 1943 for meeting Chibana and says Higa became his main pupil; the Kata Step by Step article confirms Higa remained Chibana's disciple until his death
    The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
    (1943–1969)
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    3 sources expand_more
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Higa began studies under Choshin Chibana in 1948 and was awarded 9th dan by him in 1965; the Shuriway biography gives 1943 for meeting Chibana and says Higa became his main pupil; the Kata Step by Step article confirms Higa remained Chibana's disciple until his death
    “In 1948 he began studies under Chōshin Chibana and in 1965 was awarded 9th dan by Chibana.”
    — Higa Yuchoku - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) link history info
    “In 1943 he met Master Choshin Chibana, a direct disciple of Master Anko Itosu, and in a short time became his main pupil.”
    — Master Yuchoku Higa - Shorin-Ryu (Shuriway). International Shuriway Karate & Kobudo Societylink history info
    “Yuchoku Higa, a later student of Chibana's, deeply respected his teacher, adhering to the principle that "the teacher is more important than the style," and remained Chibana's disciple until his death.”
    — Karate Master Chibana Choshin - Kata Step by Step link history info
  • Arakaki Ankichi
    sports_martial_artsKobayashi Shorin-ryu Confirmed
    Confirmed
    EN Wikipedia states Arakaki later became a student of Choshin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu; corroborated by the Gaudion essay, the Shorin-Ryu Romania history and the Shima Karate biography
    The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    4 sources expand_more
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Arakaki later became a student of Choshin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu; corroborated by the Gaudion essay, the Shorin-Ryu Romania history and the Shima Karate biography
    “Later he became a student of Choshin Chibana (1885–1969), founder of KobayashiShorin-ryu”
    — Ankichi Arakaki - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
    “After quitting school he studied under Choshin Chibana”
    — Gaudion, Geoffrey E.. Shoshin Nagamine and Some of His Masterslink history info
    “This was before he intensified his trainings with the founder of Kobayashi Shorin Ryu style, Chosin Chibana.”
    — Okinawa Karate History - Shorin-Ryu Romania link history info
    “In his teens he dropped out of middle school and began training under Chosin Chibana.”
    — O-Sensei Kim, His Life - Shima Karatelink history info

Honours (2)

  • receipt_longHanshiHanshi Probable
    Probable
    EN Wikipedia states Chibana received the title of Hanshi (High Master) from the Dai Nippon Butokukai by 1957
    The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
    Title (1957)
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    1 source expand_more
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Chibana received the title of Hanshi (High Master) from the Dai Nippon Butokukai by 1957
    “By 1957, Chibana had received the title of Hanshi (High Master) from the Dai Nippon Butokukai”
    — Chōshin Chibana - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
  • receipt_longOrder of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class Confirmed
    Confirmed
    EN Wikipedia states Chibana was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class on 29 April 1968 by the Emperor of Japan; Geoffrey Gaudion's account independently mentions the "Fourth Order of Merit" from Emperor Hirohito
    The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
    Title (1968-04-29)
    fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
    Frederico Muñoz
    Researcher, Martialis
    2 sources expand_more
    fact_check
    EN Wikipedia states Chibana was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class on 29 April 1968 by the Emperor of Japan; Geoffrey Gaudion's account independently mentions the "Fourth Order of Merit" from Emperor Hirohito
    “On 29 April 1968, was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class, by the Emperor of Japan”
    — Chōshin Chibana - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
    “After quitting school he studied under Choshin Chibana, who later brought honor to the karate world when he received Emperor Hirohito's Fourth Order of Merit.”
    — Gaudion, Geoffrey E.. Shoshin Nagamine and Some of His Masterslink history info

Sources

Chōshin Chibana - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
Karate Master Chibana Choshin - Kata Step by Steplink history info
Gaudion, Geoffrey E.. Shoshin Nagamine and Some of His Masters link history info
Goodin, Charles C.. (2021). Nagamine Shoshin: Karate and Zen as One link history info
Sensei Miyahira Katsuya - Shorinryu.de link history info
O.B.I. Karate School - Virginia Shorin-ryu Shorinkanlink history info

Identifiers

https://martial.is/entity/01KZC7XZAWJNRVKWZ66A7CXENR
Wikidata

Cite and reuse

CC BY-SA 4.0expand_more
Plain text
Muñoz, Frederico (YEAR_PLACEHOLDER). Chibana Chōshin. In Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database. https://martial.is/entity/01KZC7XZAWJNRVKWZ66A7CXENR - CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER.
BibTeX
@incollection{martialis_01KZC7XZAWJNRVKWZ66A7CXENR, author = {Muñoz, Frederico}, title = {Chibana Chōshin}, booktitle = {Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database}, year = {YEAR_PLACEHOLDER}, url = {https://martial.is/entity/01KZC7XZAWJNRVKWZ66A7CXENR}, urldate = {ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER}, note = {CC BY-SA 4.0} }
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