Rooted in Tradition. Defined by Legacy.
Grand Master Chris Chase – Kaicho of OIKKA – Head Instructor at Chase Karate AcademyPreserving the Tradition of Isshinryu Karate. Changing Lives Through Karate.
Grand Master Christopher Chase is the head instructor and owner of Chase Karate Academy in Rochester, New York. The Dojo is also the OIKKA Honbu Dojo (Headquarter) with Master Chase as the acting President (Kaicho) of the Okinawa Isshinryu Karate Kobudo Association (OIKKA). With decades of experience studying, teaching, and preserving traditional Okinawan martial arts, his mission extends beyond teaching physical techniques. He believes karate can help people develop confidence, discipline, empathy, resilience, and the tools to make positive changes in their lives.
Through OIKKA Honbu Dojo, Master Chase brings the traditions of Okinawan Isshinryu Karate to the Rochester community, combining traditional martial arts instruction with a broader philosophy of personal development, practical self-defense, and lifelong learning.
For Master Chase, karate is not simply about learning to punch, kick, block, or compete. It is about becoming a better version of yourself.
Leadership and the Legacy of OIKKA
Master Chase’s relationship with Grand Master Angi Uezu grew from that of student and teacher into one of trusted protégé and successor. In 2007, Master Uezu appointed Chase as his successor and entrusted him with leadership of the Okinawa Isshinryu Karate and Kobu-do Association.
This responsibility placed Master Chase in a position to help preserve the organization’s traditions, support instructors, and guide the continued development of Isshinryu karate and Kobu-do.
Today, Master Chase continues that commitment through OIKKA and his teaching at OIKKA Honbu Dojo. His work reflects the belief that preserving a traditional martial art requires more than retaining its techniques. It also means teaching its values, developing capable instructors, and helping students understand how their training can influence their lives beyond the dojo.
A Lifelong Journey in Okinawan Isshinryu Karate.
Master Chase began his martial arts training in 1973 under Grand Master Angi Uezu, an Okinawan martial arts master who became his personal instructor and mentor.
In 1978, Chase traveled to Okinawa, Japan, to continue his training. He lived with the Uezu family as a member of his family and protégé, immersing himself in Okinawan martial arts and culture. During this period, he assisted Master Uezu with instruction at his dojos, including the headquarters dojo and the dojo at USMC Camp Foster.
Throughout his years of training, Master Chase advanced through the ranks of Isshinryu karate, deepened his understanding of its traditions, and assisted Master Uezu with teaching and international demonstrations. His dedication to the art developed into a lifelong commitment to preserving its lineage and passing its teachings on to future generations.
Alongside his martial arts training, Master Chase pursued advanced academic studies in Japan. In 1986, he earned a doctorate in Asian Cultural Studies through Tokyo Daigaku and the Japan Ministry of Education. His academic education complemented his immersion in Okinawan martial arts and Japanese culture, broadening his understanding of the cultural traditions surrounding the martial arts he dedicated his life to preserving.
To learn more about the history of Isshinryu karate, its Okinawan roots, and the lineage connecting Master Chase to his teacher, visit the official OIKKA website.
A Commitment to Teaching and Community
Master Chase’s martial arts career has included international instruction, demonstrations, seminars, competition, and the development of educational and self-defense programs. His work has reached students and instructors across different communities and cultures. Master Chase has spent many years touring and promoting Isshinryu Karate internationally from Japan to South America. Students from all over the world have traveled to train with Master Chase at his Dojo in Rochester NY.
He was inducted into the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame in 1996, marking an important milestone in his martial arts career.
Despite his international experience, Master Chase has maintained a strong connection to Rochester. Reopening his dojo in 2022 provided an opportunity to bring his knowledge and experience back to the local community, helping people of different ages develop skills and qualities that can benefit them well beyond their time in class.
His approach recognizes that students come to karate for different reasons. Some want to improve their fitness or learn self-defense. Others want to build confidence, find a positive challenge, or develop greater focus and self-discipline. Master Chase sees these goals as interconnected opportunities for growth.
A Legacy That Continues Through Every Student
For Grand Master Christopher Chase, the value of karate is measured not only in rank, technique, or competition results, but also in the positive changes it helps people make in their lives.
Through his leadership of OIKKA and his instruction at OIKKA Honbu Dojo in Rochester, New York, he continues to share the traditions of Okinawan Isshinryu karate while emphasizing the values that give those traditions meaning.
His guiding belief is simple: properly taught karate can change lives. It can help people become more confident, more disciplined, more empathetic, and better prepared to meet life’s challenges.
Rooted in tradition. Guided by one heart. Dedicated to changing lives.