Chatan Yara
was an early Okinawan master of whom some information exists.
Some authorities place his birth at about 1670, in the village
of Chatan, Okinawa; others place his birth at a much later date.
In any case,
he contributed much to Okinawa karate. He reportedly studied
in China for 20 years. His bo and sai techniques greatly influenced
Okinawan kobudo, his Kata, "Chatan Yara No Sai," "Chatan Yara
Sho No Tonfa," and "Chatan Yara No Kon" are widely practiced
today.