KIME
Spring 1985
Volume 12


In this issue:

  1. Article - A Matter of Succession
  2. Request - Sensei Speaks - Send Club Histories
  3. Bulletin - Summer Camps, New Brunswick Aug 3-7, Alberta 17-22
  4. Bulletin - Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting
  5. 500 Limited Edition Posters for sale - Rick Rowell
  6. Poem - A Well-Versed Karateka, Edward Gates - Sask.

A Matter of Succession

Now that young Chitose-Sensei has succeeded his father, there are certain questions raised. What is his rank? How is he referred to? Are the older, high ranking instructors prepared to defer to him?

To begin, Yasuhiro Chitose is no longer Yasuhiro Chitose. He has been passed on the name of his father, Tsuyoshi Chitose, or as the Japanese would say, Chitose Tsuyoshi. He has also inherited the title of 'Soke,' which, roughly, means 'original family.' Both the title and the name indicate that he is carrying on the family karate tradition. Though adopting a father's name and title may seem strange by our standards, it is an often used practice in Japan. The thinking may be that the prestige associated with a name will be passed on to the successor. The new master is not referred to as Waka-Sensei or O-Sensei, but simply as Chitose Sensei. Waka-Sensei was used while his father still lived and there was a need to differentiate between the young and old masters. O-Sensei is a highly honorific term that can only be earned with years.

Before his father's death, Chitose-Sensei was a seventh dan. Now, as the head of the style, his rank is in limbo, or so it seems. On one hand, he can't just become a tenth dan, but on the other, a lower ranking might undermine his authority among the eighth and ninth dans. SO it seems Chitose-Sensei is in charge right now without a dan ranking. It may be that after he has fully grown into his father's shoes, the same Okinawan organization that awarded O-Sensei his tenth dan will recognize his son's mastery. However, this is just speculation. Senseis Higashi and Akutagawa will investigate further during their next trip to Japan.

In Japan, the vast majority of senior black belts recognize and back Chitose-Sensei's claim to head the style. Though he is the ultimate authority in Chito-Kai, he is advised by these senior members. And being a wise conciliator and a respecter of experience, he will probably heed what they have to say. In Canada, there has never been any question that we would respect O-Sensei's wishes in the matter Of his succession. But on Sept. 25, 1982, during O-Sensei's last visit to North America, a document outlining the succession (ChitoseSensei is to be followed by his son, Naoyuki) was signed by the heads of the Canadian and American Chito-Kai associations, Senseis Higashi and Dometrich.

Sensei Speaks

Sensei Higashi asks that all the club histories be sent to him by the end of July, at the latest. He wants included all the magic moments, since the beginning of time, that make your clubs what they are today.

Summer Camps

The madness and mayhem for the summer camp masochists will be held August 3 to 7 in New Brunswick and August 17 to 22 in Alberta. Details should be on their way from the respective organizers via the mails. The camps are being held to coincide with the visit this summer by Sensei Isamu Kato, seventh dan, of Gotemba, Japan. Sensei Kato is a master-sergeant in the Japanese army and a coach of the Shizuoka area karate team for the all-Japan national championships. He can be expected to bring his gentle training methods to the camps.

Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting

In their meeting last April, the Chito-Kai directors devoted most of their time and energy revising, correcting and tightening the new ChitoRyu textbook. With a couple more revisions (and barring a revolt by Mike Delaney's word processor) the textbook might be ready for our Christmas reading.

Posters

A limited edition of 500 numbered and signed prints (see opposite page) are now available to Chito-Kai members across Canada. This two color print (red and black) is already in demand in the west, and there will only be one printing. The print measures 22-1/2 by 28-1/2 inches. Along with each print will accompany an explanation of what the drawings signify. If you would like one of these prints, send $32 to

Rick Rowell
40 Selkirk Dr. S.W.
Calgary, Alta.
T2W OM2

Note:
One Third of all money generated will go directly towards the construction of the Hombu Dojo (national headquarters)

A Well-Versed Karateka

The following is the second poem that Edward Gates, instructor of the La Loche, Sask., Chito-Ryu dojo, has had published in KIME. The first, Zen, is included in a collection of Edward's poems that he has submitted for publication to Fiddlehead Poetry Books at the University Of New Brunswick in Fredricton.

the art of being free

some of the teachers
jokingly remark
that a brick breaking demonstration
in the classroom
would solve
my discipline problems

'but the closest hardware store
is in buffalo
60 miles away'
i answer
having lost all visions
of impressing others
by shattering concrete blocks
with my elbow
or breaking pine boards
with my hand

concentrating
on form
and technique
i do only what i want
knowing
i will eventually find myself
thru a language
that those who dwell
in the physical
cannot understand

Edited by Peter Giffen

KIME
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