Fact Check - Chitose - Kendo and Judo

1. Once again, the story that O-sensei (Chitose Tsuyoshi) held at least a 6th dan ranking in Kendo and Judo is making its rounds. Based on my research at the Kodokan AND the Kendo Renmei handbook, Chitose Sensei held no such rank. Starting in the 1950s, both Kendo and Judo issued numbers to ALL dan holders; checking if a person holding such a rank is relatively easy. I could find NO reference for Chitose. In both these organisations, you would need a lifetime of dedication to achieve such lofty grades. Both organisations issue ranks based on competition results AND one's contentment with spreading the art. Indeed Kendo holds international examinations for 7th dan and above that are held as incredibly difficult to pass - so much so that results are national news here in Japan. My Judo Sensei in Canada was a two-time Olympian, multiple times international competition champion (Berlin Open, for example), a national team coach and produced Canadian Olympians. He held the rank of 7th dan. Lastly, when I asked two direct deshi of O-Sensei if he held such rank, they were adamant - 'when would he have had time?" We know OSensei trained in JudoJudo in the 1950s and was friends with one of the top Judoka of that generation - however, no record has ever come to light of his official holding rank (at least in Kodokan judo). Producing such certification should be pretty straightforward - publish it. Even if the 'certificate' is lost, both organisations can re-issue it. He may hold rank in another form of JudoJudo but again, where is the evidence? Likewise for Kendo. Achieving the 7th dan in Iaido is entirely possible but make no mistake, a 7th dan in Iaido and Kendo are MILES apart. I know this as I hold a 6th dan in Iaido and a Menkyo in another older system. In my humble opinion, when such untruths are spread, it detracts significantly from our credibility as a style and indeed OSensei's contribution to karate. I humbly request that if anyone on this list has hard proof that OSensei did hold such ranks, please share it with us. Apologies for the long post but I respect the legacy of OSensei too much to reduce him to a cartoon character in a bad 1970's movie! 千歳先生が柔道や剣道で前段位を獲得したとは思いません。 確かな証拠はどこにありますか？

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