Teruo Chinen
Encyclopedia
is a prominent Okinawan master
of Gōjū-ryū karate
. He founded the Jundokan International karate organization and holds the title Shihan
. Chinen is one of the last surviving students to have learned directly from Chōjun Miyagi
, founder of Gōjū-ryū karate. He currently holds the rank of 9th dan
in karate.
, Hyōgo Prefecture
, Japan, of Okinawan and Japanese ancestry. His father, Seisho Chinen, was an Okinawan martial artist who served in the Imperial Japanese Navy
; he had trained in various Okinawan weapons. His mother was Japanese. His grandfather, Matsu Chinen, was a full-time Shuri-te
instructor. His granduncle, Masami Chinen
, belonged to the line of masters of the Yamanni ryu
kobudo
school.
Although Okinawan, Chinen's father adopted Japanese ways, and this included the naming conventions applied to his children. In a 1997 interview, he spoke about his father, saying: "because he was a Japanese naval officer, he adopted the Japanese ways and did not use the Masa name for his children. Consequently, my brothers and I all received Japanese names—Akira, Hirokazu, Teruo, and Toshio. No more Chinese names, no more Masa line!"
Chinen's father died in 1944 when the captain of his ship decided to sink the vessel rather than surrender to Allied forces. When he was five years old, his family—now consisting of his mother and several siblings—returned to Shuri briefly, then settled in Naha
, where his uncle worked as a policeman. His mother found work on a USAF
airbase. Chinen's home in Naha was just three houses down the street from Chōjun Miyagi's dojo
(training hall) and, despite his family's history in another style of karate, he began to train in Miyagi's style.
(1888–1953), founder of the Gōjū-ryū style, around the turn of the decade (1949–1952), or else under senior student Ei'ichi Miyazato (1922–1999) in 1954. In any case, he trained directly under Miyagi at some point during his youth, but Miyazato was his primary instructor. After six years of training, Chinen received promotion to black belt
status.
In 1958 or 1959, Chinen left Okinawa to teach karate in Tokyo, where he joined his friend Morio Higaonna, who had opened a dojo there. Chinen has credited Higaonna with teaching him the technical aspects of Gōjū-ryū karate. In 1969, Chinen travelled to the United States of America as a technical advisor to the Spokane
school of karate in Washington. What was initially planned as a three month visit led to him settling in Spokane, which is now the base of operations for his karate organization. In 1972, Miyazato promoted Chinen to the rank of 4th dan.
From 1973 to 1979, Chinen travelled through Europe and South Africa, teaching karate. From 1979 to 1984, he was technical advisor to the International Okinawan Gōjū-ryū Karate-dō Federation
(IOGKF) led by Higaonna. In 1984, Chinen founded his own karate organization, Jundokan International, and is now no longer associated with the IOGKF. He assisted in the preparation of the book Classical Kata of Okinawan Karate (1987) as a translator. In 1987, he taught kata
in Vancouver. Around 1991, Miyazato promoted Chinen to the rank of 7th dan.
In 1995, Chinen became ill from undiagnosed diabetes, but now travels across Europe and North America teaching karate, and continues to lead Jundokan International. He currently holds the rank of 9th dan. Speaking in 1997 about the future of karate in the USA, he said: "I hope that the next generations will not only improve technically but also know how to share their knowledge. People must pass on the traditions and not lose them. In the old days in China and Okinawa, the teaching was done behind closed doors. Now, thanks to the media, Karatedo is no longer a secret. There's more sharing now."
Grandmaster (martial arts)
Grandmaster and Master are titles used to describe or address some senior or experienced martial artists. Such titles may be, to some extent, aligned to the elderly martial arts master stock character in fiction...
of Gōjū-ryū karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. He founded the Jundokan International karate organization and holds the title Shihan
Shihan
- Title of "Master" is a Japanese Honorific Title, Expert License Certification used in Japanese martial arts for Master Level Instructors. The award of the Expert License Certification is if designated by the qualification by virtue of endorsement by the [A] Association of Chief Instructors or [B]...
. Chinen is one of the last surviving students to have learned directly from Chōjun Miyagi
Chojun Miyagi
was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu school of karate.-Early life and training:Miyagi was born in Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa on April 25, 1888, the adopted son of a wealthy businessman. He began his study in Karate-do at the age of nine . He first learned martial arts from Ryuko...
, founder of Gōjū-ryū karate. He currently holds the rank of 9th dan
Dan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
in karate.
Early life
Chinen was born on June 8, 1941, in KobeKobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, Hyōgo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
, Japan, of Okinawan and Japanese ancestry. His father, Seisho Chinen, was an Okinawan martial artist who served in the Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
; he had trained in various Okinawan weapons. His mother was Japanese. His grandfather, Matsu Chinen, was a full-time Shuri-te
Okinawan martial arts
Okinawan martial arts refers to the martial arts which originated among the indigenous people of Okinawa Island in Japan, most notably karate, tegumi, and Okinawan kobudō....
instructor. His granduncle, Masami Chinen
Masami Chinen
Masami Chinen was an Okinawan martial arts master who formed Yamani ryu. He taught Bōjutsu privately at his home in the village of Tobaru, in Shuri, Okinawa.- Life :...
, belonged to the line of masters of the Yamanni ryu
Yamanni ryu
Yamanni-ryū is a form of Okinawan kobudō whose main weapon is the bo, a non-tapered, cylindrical staff...
kobudo
Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...
school.
Although Okinawan, Chinen's father adopted Japanese ways, and this included the naming conventions applied to his children. In a 1997 interview, he spoke about his father, saying: "because he was a Japanese naval officer, he adopted the Japanese ways and did not use the Masa name for his children. Consequently, my brothers and I all received Japanese names—Akira, Hirokazu, Teruo, and Toshio. No more Chinese names, no more Masa line!"
Chinen's father died in 1944 when the captain of his ship decided to sink the vessel rather than surrender to Allied forces. When he was five years old, his family—now consisting of his mother and several siblings—returned to Shuri briefly, then settled in Naha
Naha, Okinawa
is the capital city of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa.Naha is a coastal city located on the East China Sea coast of the southern part of Okinawa Island, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands...
, where his uncle worked as a policeman. His mother found work on a USAF
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
airbase. Chinen's home in Naha was just three houses down the street from Chōjun Miyagi's dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
(training hall) and, despite his family's history in another style of karate, he began to train in Miyagi's style.
Karate career
According to various sources, Chinen began training in Gōjū-ryū karate either under Chōjun MiyagiChojun Miyagi
was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu school of karate.-Early life and training:Miyagi was born in Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa on April 25, 1888, the adopted son of a wealthy businessman. He began his study in Karate-do at the age of nine . He first learned martial arts from Ryuko...
(1888–1953), founder of the Gōjū-ryū style, around the turn of the decade (1949–1952), or else under senior student Ei'ichi Miyazato (1922–1999) in 1954. In any case, he trained directly under Miyagi at some point during his youth, but Miyazato was his primary instructor. After six years of training, Chinen received promotion to black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
status.
In 1958 or 1959, Chinen left Okinawa to teach karate in Tokyo, where he joined his friend Morio Higaonna, who had opened a dojo there. Chinen has credited Higaonna with teaching him the technical aspects of Gōjū-ryū karate. In 1969, Chinen travelled to the United States of America as a technical advisor to the Spokane
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
school of karate in Washington. What was initially planned as a three month visit led to him settling in Spokane, which is now the base of operations for his karate organization. In 1972, Miyazato promoted Chinen to the rank of 4th dan.
From 1973 to 1979, Chinen travelled through Europe and South Africa, teaching karate. From 1979 to 1984, he was technical advisor to the International Okinawan Gōjū-ryū Karate-dō Federation
International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation
International Okinawan Gōjū-ryū Karate-dō Federation , also known as the International Federation of Karate-do Goju-ryu Okinawa, is an international martial art organization covering Gōjū-ryū karate. It was founded by Morio Higaonna in July 1979. Higaonna is the current Chief Instructor and...
(IOGKF) led by Higaonna. In 1984, Chinen founded his own karate organization, Jundokan International, and is now no longer associated with the IOGKF. He assisted in the preparation of the book Classical Kata of Okinawan Karate (1987) as a translator. In 1987, he taught kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
in Vancouver. Around 1991, Miyazato promoted Chinen to the rank of 7th dan.
In 1995, Chinen became ill from undiagnosed diabetes, but now travels across Europe and North America teaching karate, and continues to lead Jundokan International. He currently holds the rank of 9th dan. Speaking in 1997 about the future of karate in the USA, he said: "I hope that the next generations will not only improve technically but also know how to share their knowledge. People must pass on the traditions and not lose them. In the old days in China and Okinawa, the teaching was done behind closed doors. Now, thanks to the media, Karatedo is no longer a secret. There's more sharing now."