Chatan Yara (北谷 屋良, Chatan Yara, 1668–1756), also known as Yara Guwa, Ueekata, and Yomitan Yara, is credited with being one of the first to disseminate martial arts (te) throughout Okinawa Island. Yara is most noted for teaching Takahara Peichin who would later become the sensei (mentor) of Sakugawa Kanga (1733-1815), the father of Okinawan karate. Depending on Sakugawa's birth date, Yara may have been his teacher also (based on the kata he taught). Yara was from Chatan Village, on Okinawa Island.