Choshin Chibana
| Chibana Chōshin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
5 June 1885 Tottori-cho, Shuri, Okinawa, Japan |
| Died | 26 February 1969 (aged 83) Ohama, Japan Throat cancer |
| Style | Shorin-ryū |
| Teacher(s) | Anko Itosu |
| Rank | Hanshi, 10th Dan |
| Notable students | Arakaki Ankichi, Katsuya Miyahira, Shūgorō Nakazato, Nakama Chozo, Yuchoku Higa |
Chōshin Chibana (知花 朝信 Chibana Chōshin?, 5 June 1885 – 26 February 1969) was an Okinawan martial artist who developed Shorin-ryū karate based on what he had learned from Ankō Itosu. He was the last of the pre-World War karate masters, also called the "Last Warrior of Shuri" He was the first to establish a Japanese ryu name for an Okinawan karate style, calling Itosu's karate "Shorin-Ryu" (or "the small forest style") in 1928.
Chibana Chōshin was born as the second son of Chibana Chohaku and wife Nabi on 5 June 1885. The family held a distinguished history and resided in Okinawa's Shuri Tori-Hori village (presently Naha City, Shuri Tori-Hori Town). His family traced their lineage from a branch of the Katsuren Court and Choharu, Prince of Kochinta, fifth son of King Shoshitsu (Tei), but lost their titles and status after Mutsuhito, the Meiji Emperor, banned the caste system in Japan. To support themselves, the family turned to sake brewing.
Choshin began his study of martial arts under Ankō Itosu in 1899 when he was about fifteen years old. He applied to be and was accepted as a suitable candidate for instruction, and for thirteen years until he turned 28, Choshin trained under Itosu. When Itosu died at the age of 85, he continued to practice alone for five years, and then opened his first dojo in Tori-hori district at 34. He later opened a second dojo in Kumojo district of Naha City.
During the World War II Battle of Okinawa, Chibana lost his family, his livelihood, his dojo, a number of students, and nearly his life. He fled the war, but afterward returned to Shuri from Chinen Village and began teaching again. He first taught at Gibo, and later at other sites in the Yamakawa district of Shuri and Naha, eventually relocating his main headquarters (hombu dojo) from Asato to Mihara.
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