The Koshin-ha Chito-ryu Karate-do Association was formed in 2004 from several of the most senior ranking Chito-ryu practitioners in the United States. The organization was formed to create an environment that allowed for maximum growth of its individual members and dojo while maintaining the highest technical standards.

The Koshin-ha is dedicated to the preservation and development of Chito-ryu karate-do as created by Doctor Tsuyoshi Chitose. It is the belief of the Koshin-ha membership that this goal can best be attained by creating an environment that encourages the development of highly skilled practitioners through an open exchange of ideas among its senior members, and allows the individual dojo chief instructors a part in how the organization is operated.

The strength of the organization lies in how it is structured. Unlike many martial arts organizations run by a single person, the Koshin-ha is governed by two groups of individuals: senior practitioners (known collectively as the Shihan-kai), and dojo chief instructors (known collectively as the Shibu-kai).

The Shihan-kai is comprised of all organization members with the rank of godan (5th degree black belt) or higher, and is responsible for the development and implementation of the organization's technical standards. Acceptance into this governing body is based on rank alone. This criterion for membership into the Shihan-kai insures that those persons knowledgeable in Chito-ryu karate-do have a voice and vote on matters concerning technique and standards. It also insures that membership into this governing body is not a popularity contest or subject to organization politics.  As a result, the Shihan-kai is structured to allow for a maximum exchange of ideas among the senior members of the organization which will serve to improve the understanding and technical excellence of all organization members.

The Shibu-kai is comprised of the chief instructor from each dojo in the organization and is responsible for the administrative and financial operations of the organization such as the establishment of membership and test fees. The dojo heads are the backbone of the organization's administrative section in that they sacrifice their time and money to propagate Chito-ryu within their own dojo and local community. They are the individuals in the organization with the most to lose financially and it is only fitting that they determine organization policy concerning financial matters. They are also in the best position to determine what fees are appropriate and affordable for their own students and the organization as a whole. As a result, the Shibu-kai is structured to allow for all chief instructors of the various dojo to have a part in the success of the organization without compromising their own dojo's financial stability.