Chito-ryu

Signature aspects.There are a number of 'signature techniques' of this style, which point to its Okinawan Tō-te roots. These include: an emphasis on 'shime' - a contraction of the muscles in the lower part of the body to generate additional strength and stability in stances; the use of 'shibori' - twisting contraction of the muscles in a specific area (often the arms) aimed at generating strength (as in the strands of a cable); rapid rotational movements; and frequent use of movement off the line of attack (tai sabaki) at advanced levels. Note: Perhaps fittingly, the Japanese term shibori also refers to the traditional patterned dyeing of cloth through the use of a twisting and clamping technique.

Chitose, who was ackowledged in Okinawa as one of the last of the great Tō-te masters, created Chitō-ryū by combining 70% of the strength techniques from Shuri-te (see also Shōrin-ryū and Shōrei-ryū), with those of Naha-te. While present, the influence of Tomari-te is less than that of the two previously mentioned foundation styles.