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About Us
What is Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre?
 Your studio is one of the few full-time, professional karate academies in the country. The Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre opened as a full time centre in 1989, at Glendale. In 1995 the centre moved to new premises in Hillsborough Rd. Warners Bay, where it remains today. In the last 24months, the centre has seen the student base grow by over 100%, to over 450 active students. This reflects the depth of research by Sandy and Brian Hayes on teaching method, age specific programs and centre management, and a level of student service second to none. It is our job to take you from beginner to Black Belt, and to impart life values along the way.
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The benefits of a full-time studio include : |
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The range of training aids available such as bags, wavemasters, focus shields and mitts, gymnastic equipment, makiwara (striking posts), stone weights and mats. |
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A martial arts specific training surface. |
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The ability to offer age and level specific classes, with comfortable numbers for improved teacher/student ratios. |
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Professional, enthusiastic instructors who are committed to your smooth progress towards black belt and beyond. |
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You may have based your decision to pursue martial arts on the desire to get fit, flexible, improve your breathing and circulation, become stronger and faster, to develop your will-power and ability to act decisively or to find fun and excitement. You will certainly find all of these benefits and more as you embark on the road, or the way of karate.
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WHY STUDY CHITOKAI KARATE? |
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At the Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre we teach a core curriculum of Chitokai Karate, our interpretation of the traditional method of Chito-Ryu as taught by the founder, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose.
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| "For we who study, of course, the main purpose of karate training is to master technique, make a healthy body, have respect and manners, fortify an indomitable spirit, and to foster the growth of these kinds of people." |
| ( Dr Tsuyoshi Chitose - Founder Chito-Ryu) |
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HISTORY OF CHITOKAI |
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Chitokai karate traces its ancestry back to the ancient martial arts of the Tang Dynasty in China (618 - 907AD). These martial arts were brought to Okinawa and passed on through the diligence and thoroughness of many past masters.
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DR. TSUYOSHI CHITOSE |
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The founder of modern Chito-Ryu was Doctor Tsuyoshi Chitose, or O’Sensei as he was affectionately known by his students. He was born in Naha City in Okinawa on 18th October 1898. O’Sensei studied the various Okinawan martial arts. One discipline, which originated in Shuri City, a town of nobles and samurai, was called Shuri no Te (now known as Shorin-Ryu). The second discipline, which originated in Naha City, a commercial town, was known as Naha no Te (now known as Shorei-Ryu). O’Sensei assimilated the essence of these so that he could enhance the spread of Okinawan To-de among the Japanese martial arts. He became the Sixth Master of To-de, or Okinawan martial arts.
 O’Sensei’s teachers were among the most famous of the Okinawan masters. They included Aragaki O, the respected 5th Master of To-de, Choyu Motobu, Chotoku Kyan, Kanryo Higaonna, Chomo Hanagusuku, Kojo and Maezato.
Importantly, O’Sensei was a medical practitioner, and he was concerned about some of the negative effects of the older training methods. He therefore based Chito-Ryu on sound medical, physiological and scientific principles in order to foster health in all, especially the young.
In 1921, O’Sensei went to Tokyo to study medicine. While there he assisted Gichin Funakoshi, known as the father of modern karate, at his first Tokyo dojo, and taught many students who went on to become famous heads of their own styles of karate.
After World War II, in March 1946, O’Sensei opned the Yoseikan dojo in Kikuchi, in Kumamoto province in Kyushu. In 1951, O’Sensei bacame the teacher of Karate at the U.S. Army Base in Kumamoto, teaching many foreign students.
In 1968, O’Sensei attained the rank of Hanshi, the highest degree of martial arts recognition, from the All Okinawa Union of Karate-Do and Kobu-Do ( Zen Okinawa Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai)
In 1975 he moved his dojo which was known as the SOHONBU (General Headquarters) to Tsoboi, in Kumamoto City.
O’Sensei passed away on the 6th June, 1984, at the age of 86.
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CHITOKAI IN AUSTRALIA |
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 The karate method of Chito-Ryu was introduced in Australia in the 1970’s. In 1991, Mr Brian Hayes was appointed as hombucho, or Chief Instructor, of the Australian Chito-Ryu Karate Association, with the headquarters at the Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre in Warners Bay.
The club was active and very successful in international competitions, and sent large squads to the Soke Cup, or Chito-Ryu International championships, in 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004. The Newcastle Chito-Ryu Karate Association also hosted the Soke Cup in 1992 and 2004, and remains the only club outside of Japan to have done so on two occasions.
Hayes Sensei was awarded the title of Renshi, or Master Instructor, in 2001, along with the rank of 6th Dan, from Soke Tsuyoshi Chitose, the first Australian to gain such a rank, and was invited to join the International Chito-Ryu Technical Committee. Hayes Renshi also holds dan ranks in Iaido (sword drawing) and Okinawan Kobudo (weapons) in the Matayoshi system.
The Australian Chitokai Karate Association became an autonomous association in 2004, after a special resolution of members voted in favour of pursuing independent study of Dr Chitose’s method and is independent of the International Chito-Ryu Karate Federation.
The Hunter Martial Arts Centre in Warners Bay is the National Headquarters (HONBU) of the Australian Chitokai Karate Association.
Chitokai in Australia is affiliated with the Australian Karate Federation, and with the World Karate Federation.
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Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre
Unit 3D, 321 Hillsborough Road
Warners Bay NSW 2282
Australia
+61 (02) 4956 8876 ( 11:00 am - 6:00 pm AEST )
sales@huntermartialarts.com.au
 
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