Hanshi (10th degree black belt)
Kyoshi-go (Elite Master Instructor Licence)

Higashi Sensei began to study karate in 1961, under the instruction of then 6th Dan, Masami Tsuruoka Sensei. At the Tsuruoka karate school, the young Higashi soon became a star pupil, attaining his Shodan in Chito Ryu Karate in just one year. By 1964, he became the grand champion of the Canadian Open Karate Tournament.

Higashi Sensei continued to rapidly achieve higher ranks while training extensively in Japan and Canada. In 1979, he was awarded Kyoshi-go (elite master instructor licence) and was designated as the leading authority in Canada for Chito Ryu Karate by its founder, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose.

In July of 2007, he was honored at the National Karate Association’s AGM with a lifetime achievement award, and in the fall of 2008, he was inducted into the Karate Black Belt Hall of Fame. Very recently, Sensei Higashi was awarded his 10th degree Hanshi title, by the Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate Association. Higashi-Hanshi has been instrumental in spreading Chito Ryu karate around the world.

Godan (5th degree black belt)
Renshi (Expert International Master Instructor Certification)

Sensei Buret began his martial arts training in Calgary in 1984 under Senseis Rick Rowel and David Akutagawa, from whom he received his Shodan in 1991. He later was awarded his yondan rank by Yasuhiro Chitose Sensei and Higashi Sensei, and then godan by Higashi Sensei in 2014. In 2016 he earned his Renshi title from Hanshi Higashi Sensei. Sensei Buret travels extensively pursuing his academic career. He lived in Newcastle, Australia for 3 years, where he trained with senseis Hayes, Noonan, and Phillips. He had the honour of competing in two Soke Cup World Championships – once for Australia (in 1992) and once for Canada (in 1989).

Sensei Buret has been the Head Instructor for the Calgary Chito Ryu Karate dojo since 1996. In 2009, Sensei Buret became Vice-President for the Canadian Chito Ryu Karate Association, lead by Hanshi Higashi. He served in that role until November 2019, when he became President of the Canadian and World Chito Ryu Karate Associations.

Godan (5th degree black belt)
Renshi (Expert International Master Instructor Certification)

Sensei Hiob began his martial arts training in Edmonton in January, 1984 under Sensei John Shaw. He received his 1st and 2nd degree black belt under Sensei David Aukutagawa, his 3rd degree from Hanshi Shane Yukio Higashi (Toronto) and his 4th degree from Sensei Tsuyoshi Chitose (Kumamoto, Japan). Sensei Hiob received his Shihan certification in November of 2008, his 5th degree black belt in October, 2014 and his Renshi certification in November, 2016 from Hanshi Higashi and the Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Association.

He is presently continuing his study of the martial arts under the guidance of Hanshi Shane Higashi, Chief Instructor of Chito-Ryu karate in Canada. Sensei Hiob is the Alberta Technical Director for the CCRKA.