14 Facts About Teruo Chinen

Teruo Chinen was a prominent Japanese master of Goju-ryu Karate.

Teruo Chinen founded the Jundokan International karate organization and held the title of Shihan.

Teruo Chinen's father, Seisho Chinen, was an Okinawan martial artist who served in the Imperial Japanese Navy; he had trained in various Okinawan weapons.

Teruo Chinen's grandfather, Matsu Chinen, was a full-time Shuri-te instructor.

Teruo Chinen's father died in 1944 when the captain of his ship decided to sink the vessel rather than surrender to Allied forces.

Teruo Chinen began training in Goju-ryu karate under one of Chojun Miyagi's senior students Ei'ichi Miyazato in 1954.

In 1959, Teruo Chinen left Okinawa to teach karate in Tokyo, where he joined his friend Morio Higaonna, who had opened a dojo there, known as "Yoyogi Dojo".

Teruo Chinen has credited Higaonna with teaching him the technical aspects of Goju-ryu karate.

In 1969, Teruo Chinen traveled to the United States of America as a technical advisor to the Spokane School of Karate-do in Spokane, Washington.

From 1973 to 1979, Teruo Chinen traveled through Europe and South Africa, teaching karate.

In 1987, Teruo Chinen founded his own karate organization, Jundokan International, and was no longer associated with the IOGKF.

Teruo Chinen assisted in the preparation of the book Classical Kata of Okinawan Karate as a translator.

In 1995, Teruo Chinen became ill from undiagnosed diabetes, but still traveled across Europe and North America teaching karate, and he continued to lead Jundokan International.

Teruo Chinen developed and taught many unique and highly-effective training methods during his karate career.