Chito-Ryu Lineage

Warrior to warrior. The unbroken chain from Okinawa to Fort Bragg. 312 nights. The Life-Saving Fist.

Chitose (founder) → Hank Slomanski (The Hammer, taught Po) → Sensei Warren 'Po' Pochinski (Green Beret, rank from Chitose) → me · William Domeitrich Hanshi (separate branch, US Chito-ryu Federation)

THE WARRIORS

Hank Slomanski — The Hammer. International Karate Champion 1956. Go-dan from Chitose. Trained Elvis Presley. Korean War: 3 Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star.

Warren "Po" Pochinski — Green Beret. 4th dan from Chitose (July 1, 1964). 1st place overall, International Tournament Sembach Germany 1963. Taught at Ft. Bragg 1969–1972.

William Domeitrich Hanshi — Founder, US Chito-ryu Federation. Separate branch. Trained at Beppu police HQ 1953.

Po and Wightman — Brotherhood. Robert Wightman: Korea 1953, yon-dan from Slomanski, "one of the greatest combat leaders in the Army."

1963 — Po, Ferguson, Reumann, Wightman. William Ferguson: Vietnam casualty 1967, Distinguished Service Cross.

Balinong and Po — Ft. Campbell lineage. Alby Balinong: 1963 Sembach tournament team champion with Po.

Po · Ft. Bragg 1969 — Special Forces dojo. This is where 312 nights happened. Warriors teaching warriors.

Elvis Presley — Sho-dan from Slomanski (July 21, 1960). Ni-dan 1963. Kept certification in wallet until death. Chito-Ryu lapel pin.

Robert Wightman — Korea 1953. Yon-dan from Slomanski. Vietnam 1965, 101st Airborne. Lt. Gen. Emerson: "One of the greatest combat leaders in the Army."

TRIBUTES

In memory of Sensei Warren "Po" Pochinski (1935–2022). Green Beret. 4th dan from Chitose. 312 nights. You taught warriors to fight and to heal. The Life-Saving Fist lives in everyone who trained under you. Rest in peace, Po.

In honor of William Domeitrich Hanshi and Barbara Domeitrich. Hanshi founded the US Chito-ryu Federation and brought Chito-Ryu to America. Barbara — the Mother of American Chito-Ryu — trained alongside him and helped build the federation. Their legacy is the unbroken chain we stand in today.

Thanks to Don Schmidt and Sherry Koffel — for carrying the federation forward, for preserving the lineage, and for the friendship and camping trips that kept the brotherhood alive. Don (Renshi, Yoseikan Hombu) and Sherry (Hanshi's daughter, Kyoshi, Vice Chair of USCKF) continue the work. Osu.

THE SCROLL

Katsu Jin Gen No Maki — "Life-Saving Fist." Pain as honest feedback. Low fire kata. Sovereign strike. Warrior healing.

Historical photos courtesy of Warren Pochinski and U.S. Chito-ryu Karate-do Federation. Source: chito-ryu.com

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