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The History of Karate and The CKA
Evolution of the CKA
In 1971, a new chapter in Canadian martial arts began with the founding of the Canadian Yudansha Karate Association by André Langelier, Fernand Cléroux, and George Sylvain. Just a couple of years later, around 1972-1973, this organization informally transformed into the Canadian Karate Association (CKA), uniting clubs from Quebec and Ontario under a shared passion for karate.
This exciting development led to the Ottawa-Hull region's separation from the National Karate Association (NKA), established by Osensei Tsuroka in 1964. Yet, despite this shift, the connection with the Honbu dojo in Japan remained strong. Notably, Dr. Chitose and his dedicated student Yamamoto visited the Ottawa area in 1972 and 1974, reinforcing the ties between Canada and the heart of karate in Japan.
With Chito-Ryu as its founding style, the CKA has continued to thrive. Since January 2015, Cléroux Karaté Dojo has proudly operated under the CLEROUX KARATE-DO style, carrying forward the rich tradition and spirit of karate in Canada.
Karate: A brief history
Karate's history stretches back over a thousand years, originating as a physical training system among monks and evolving through various styles in Okinawa, where it was first known as “Te” or “hand.” Following the banning of weapons in the 1600s, karate developed in secrecy, leading to the formation of distinct styles associated with the cities of Shuri, Naha, and Tomari.
Over time, “Te” evolved in these three cities, each nurturing its own unique style: Shuri-Te, Naha-Te, and Tomari-Te. Collectively, these forms were referred to as Okinawa-Te or Tode, meaning "Chinese hand." The Chinese character for “Tode” can also be pronounced as “Kara,” and over time, the term evolved into Karate-jutsu, or "Chinese martial art." Gichin Funakoshi later renamed it Karate-Do, attributing a new meaning to “Kara” as "empty." Thus, karate came to signify "empty hand," with “Do” denoting "the way" or "the path," emphasizing the discipline's spiritual and moral values.
Today, five principal styles of karate are recognized in Japan: Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, and Chito-Ryu.
- Goju-Ryu, developed from Naha-Te, gained prominence through Kanryo Higashionna, who opened a dojo in Naha using eight different Chinese styles. His student, Chyojun Miyagi, founded Goju-Ryu, emphasizing a blend of soft blocking techniques and rapid counterattacks.
- Shito-Ryu, founded by Kenwa Mabuni in 1928, drew influences from both Naha-Te and Shuri-Te. Its name reflects the characters associated with his teachers, Itosu Ankoh and Kanryo Higashionna, and is known for its extensive use of kata, approximately 60 in total.
- Shotokan was established by Gichin Funakoshi in 1938 in Tokyo. As a pioneer of modern karate, Funakoshi introduced karate to Tokyo in 1921, and his dojo, named Shotokan, was inspired by the pen he used to sign his poems. Shotokan is characterized by powerful, linear techniques and strong stances.
- Wado-Ryu, meaning "Voice of Harmony," was developed by Hironori Otsuka between 1922 and 1929. Combining elements of jujitsu and karate, Otsuka emphasized flexibility and harmony, earning recognition for his contributions to Karate-Do.
- Chito-Ryu, created by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, emerged after World War II in Kumamoto. He founded the Yosei-kan dojo and later established the All Japan Chito-Kai. Chito-Ryu reflects his extensive training in Okinawan Shorei-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu, blending martial arts with philosophical teachings.
These five styles have become the foundational pillars of karate in Canada, with Chito-Ryu serving as the cornerstone of the CKA.