Chidokan Legacy
The Origins of a Tradition
The roots of our community are deeply connected to the history and spirit of Chidokan Karate, founded in Japan by Takeshi Sasaki and his brother Kiyoshi Sasaki in 1954. Both brothers learned Karatedo from Funakoshi Sensei and Obata Sensei. The original Chidokan Hombu was established not merely as a dojo, but as a place dedicated to the lifelong pursuit of Karate-Do as a path of personal development and human growth.
The name Chidokan (致道館) itself reflects this philosophy:
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Chi (致) — to devote oneself, to attain,
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Do (道) — the Way or path
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Kan (館) — the Dojo, place of practice
Together, the meaning may be understood as:
“The Dojo of the Way of Sincere Commitment.”
From its origins in Japan, Chidokan grew internationally through the dedication of instructors and students who trained directly under Sasaki Kancho and carried his teachings abroad as from the 1960s.
Following the passing of Takeshi Sasaki Kancho in 1992, the organization in Japan evolved into Japan Karatedo Chidokai under the leadership of Shigeo Kurihara Kaicho. This transition reflected the natural development of the original Chidokan organization from a founder-centered dojo structure toward a broader association. In 2010, a short-lived initiative was also taken to reach out to Chidokan/Chidokai dojos outside Japan.
Throughout these developments, many practitioners and instructors around the world continued to identify deeply with the original Chidokan heritage and philosophy established by Sasaki Kancho.
The Chidokai International Community honors this heritage and remains deeply attached to the original values and spirit of Chidokan Karate-Do.
We remain committed to preserving:
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the spirit of traditional Chidokan Karate,
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its technical and philosophical foundations,
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mutual respect and friendship,
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openness and sincere exchange,
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and the human values transmitted through generations of dedicated practice.
We continue to promote Karate as a lifelong path of learning, humility, discipline, harmony, and human development.
The Technical Legacy
An important part of this heritage is the preservation of the fundamental principles of early Shotokan karate as developed and transmitted by Gichin Funakoshi and his son, Yoshitaka (Gigo) Funakoshi. Rather than simply following later technical developments, Chidokan has sought to retain certain characteristics associated with these earlier foundations (e.g. on the use and position of the hips during blocking techniques).
This technical distinction is important because the purpose of Chidokan is not merely to preserve a name or an organizational lineage, but also to safeguard technical principles that might otherwise gradually disappear as karate continues to evolve.
Another feature that makes the Chidokan approach unique is its systematic and structured curriculum, where Kihon and Kumite are practiced through unique combinations designed to develop precision, strength, and harmony. Alongside Kata, these elements form the foundation of a shared technical heritage, preserving the authenticity and spirit of the Chidokan Karate throughout our Community.