Founders Forum: Autumn 1997

The founder of Chito-ryu karate, Doctor Tsuyoshi Chitose (O-Sensei), requested that we organize and found a national Chito-ryu karate federation when he visited with us during September and October of 1967. At that time there was no national karate organization in the United States which was dedicated to Chito-ryu. The head Chito-ryu Sensei in the United States, Sensei T. Morita, had resigned and while he had a few schools in Hawaii and California, no serious attempt had been made by him to establish a national United States Chito-ryu federation.

Both of us had full time jobs and two small children to raise. We informed Doctor Chitose that the majority of our time must be dedicated to our jobs and children, the remaining time would be dedicated to the establishment of the United States Chito-ryu Karate Federation. O-Sensei replied that, "This would be acceptable. I want you to make a fine hombu and to teach excellent karate students. Quality is more important than quantity''. Over the past thirty years we have endeavored to follow O-Sensei's wishes.

In 1971 we purchased a piece or property at 22 Martin Street in Covington, Kentucky and rebuilt it into the current U. S. Hombu. During 1973 we purchased an additional piece of property which was adjacent to the dojo. During 1987 we purchased land in Boone County, Ky., thirty miles from the hombu and during 1995 and 1996 we constructed a new dojo which is named ''The Chito-kai Kan'' per O-Sensei's wishes.

Building the U. S. Chito-kai hasn't always been easy, but it has always been challenging. Many students have joined the organization over the years. Some have stayed a few months while other have remained for years. The more dedicated ones are still with us and continue to help build a strong hombu and a modern U. S. Chito-ryu Karate Federation as O-Sensei directed. We wish to thank them for their time, effort, hard work, and most importantly their love in supporting us in our efforts to carry out the wishes and dreams of Doctor Tsuyoshi Chitose in relation to the founding of a U. S. National Chito-ryu organization.


William J. and Barbara E. Dometrich
Co-Founders U. S. Chito-ryu Karate Federation.