HISTORY

Based on mans' instinct of self-defense, different fighting arts were developed in most cultures, especially in central Asia, Egypt and Turkey. The principles of the Asian martial arts are believed to have spread from Turkey to India, where they were further developed to sophisticated arts ("kalaripayt").

The history of Karate as we know it today can be taken back to India, perhaps two thousand years before the Christian Era. India was the birthplace of a bare-handed martial art called, in Sanskrit, Vajramushtthi. Evidence seems to indicate that it was commonly practiced by the Kshatriya, which was the Warrior Class of that time, and which can be compared to the Japanese Samurai and the medieval Knights of Europe.

It is said that the third child of King Sugandha of southern India was a member of the Kshatriya (Warrior) Caste. However, after a few years he was led by the spirit to a small but dynamic Buddhist province south of Madres. He received his religious training from the Dhyna of Master Prajnatara. Under the master’s guidance, the boy grew into a very wise man and advanced in the way of the Dhyana or Buddhist practice, and was given the name Buddhadharma .

After his masters death, Buddhadharma traveled to China, where he taught. His life was centered around the Shaolin Temple and monastery located in Hunan Province. Tradition states that upon seeing the emaciated condition of the monks, Buddhadharma instructed them in physical exercise, to condition their bodies as well as their minds. The exercise was called, “Eighteen hands of Lo-Han”. This exercise also included breathing; he knew that this physical activity was a means of cleansing body internally . Eventually the monks began to study the animals and form exercises that resembled their ways of fighting, and later it was known as Chuan-Fa, “The Art of the Fist”. It is important to note that the motives of the practice was art, physical conditioning, and finally, self-defense.

During the Sui Period (589-618), bandits began to raid the monastery for the purpose of food and anything of value.

At this time the monks, in order to protect their lives and their beloved monastery, utilized their Chuan-Fa art and defeated the bandits. The reputation of the Shaolin Fighting monks spread, and many came to study the art along with Buddhism. Today there are hundreds of styles, and of course the philosophy has changed somewhat, depending on the personality of the headmaster of the styles. In 1609 the art was brought to Okinawa where it underwent many changes and became later known as Karate-do.

During the 14th century Kempo (Chaun-Fa) was introduced to Okinawa. It won popularity as an art of self-defense, under the name of 'tote' (Chinese hand). At Okinawa the native fighting art 'te' was practiced long before the introduction of Kempo. It is believed that 'te' was combined with 'Kempo' by the Okinawans and developed into the martial art known today as Karate.

Japan invaded Okinawa in1609. They reinstituted the ban on weapons (first declared by King Sho Shin in 1477). The Japanese also banned the practice of martial arts. Consequently, the Okinawans continued with martial arts in secrecy.

During the next three centuries the martial art developed its own character and is called 'Okinawa te'. It is split into three main styles:

At the end of the 19th century Shuri-te and Tomari-te were subsumed under the name Shorin ryu, which developed into several slightly different styles. Naha-te was later renamed Goju ryu (the hard and soft style).

Grandmaster Kanryo Higaonna was born on March 10, 1853, in Naha, the capital city of Okinawa. His father, Kanryo, worked as a merchant sailing between the small islands of Okinawa trading everyday goods. From a young age Kanryo Higaonna helped his father in his work and through the physical labor that was involved he developed a strong body.

Kanryo Higaonna was still in his teens when his father suddenly died. Kanryo decided he wanted to study the martial arts and he set his heart on traveling to Fuzhou, China for this purpose. He travelled to Fuzhou, China in the year 1869. Once in Fuzhou he studied the Chinese martial arts under the great Master Ryu Ryu Ko. He soon became "Uchi Deshi" (private disciple) and he remained in China under the severe instruction of his teacher for approximately 13 years. In addition to studying empty handed martial arts he became proficient in weapons techniques and Chinese herbal medicine. Master Ryu Ryu Ko held his pupil in high esteem and sanctioned Kanryo's mastery of these arts - an honor which is accorded rarely. Such was Kanryo's skill in the martial arts that his fame became widespread throughout Fuzhou and the surrounding area.

Chojun Miyagi (founder of Goju-Ryu and successor to Kanryo Higaonna) said of Kanryo Higaonna, "My Sensei possessed incredible strength; the severity of the training he underwent in China is beyond comprehension.... Kanryo Sensei's speed and power were truly superhuman; his hands and feet moved faster than lightening." Words are not enough to express his real ability. We can only say that his skill was incredible but even this fails to do him justice.

In the year 1881, after 13 years of diligent study with his teacher he returned to Okinawa and Naha where his martial arts became known as Naha-te (these arts were also referred to as "Tode" meaning martial arts from China). Kanryo Higaonna taught these martial arts to the people of Okinawa and at the same time continued his own research and practice. In order to teach the youth of Okinawa he developed a teaching method which was specifically designed to develop the mind and body; to improve both physical and spiritual well-being.

Previously secretive art of Naha-te was "opened" to society in general, in October 1905, when Kanryo Higaonna began teaching at the high school.

Kanryo Higaonna was an extremely hard task master while teaching. However in his everyday life he was a quiet and humble man and was known for his virtuous character. He was a man who had no need or desire for worldly things. He led a simple life which was completely devoted to the study and practice of the martial arts.

There are many stories which relate tales of Kanryo Higaonna's life and training. The power of his legs was legendary, so much so that he was often referred to as "Ashi no Higaonna" ("Legs Higaonna") in Okinawa. His virtuous character was widely known and respected, and because of his popularity the people of Naha bestowed him with the name, "Obushi Higaonna Tanrnei", a name which reflected the affection and respect they had for this great man and supreme martial artist.

Kanryo Higaonna's unparalleled skill in the martial arts aside, his great and distinguished work was in bringing the Chinese martial art forms from China to Okinawa, and spreading these arts among the people of Okinawa.

Kanryo Higaonna is now bestowed with the title, "Kensei (sacred fists) Higaonna Kanryo", a title which is eminently fitting. His name is synonymous with Okinawan martial arts and Naha-te, and his spirit is destined to live on forever as a great and valued treasure within Okinawan culture.

Kanryo Higaonna's whole life was devoted to karate. He passed away in December 1915 at the age of 63.

Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi was born on April 25, 1888 in an aristocratic family. His family was in the import/export business, and owned two ships which made regular trips to mainland China, placing them among the wealthiest families in the area.

He began training in karate under Kanryo Higaonna at the age of 14, in 1902. Like his teacher before him, because of his great natural talent and fierce determination, he progressed very rapidly. The training was severe beyond belief at times but he practiced ever harder with an enthusiasm unmatched by any of the other students. Chojun Miyagi became "uchi deshi" (private disciple) of Kanryo Higaonna. He studied with his teacher for 14 years before his teacher's death in 1915.

Chojun Miyagi, as successor to Naha-te pushed himself to the limits of endurance in his desire to emulate the extraordinary skill of his teacher. To this end, that same year (1915) he journeyed to Fuzhou, China, the city where his teacher had studied the martial arts, to further his research. This was one of three trips he made to China during his lifetime.

On his return to Okinawa he began to teach the martial arts at his home in Naha. Later, he also taught at the Okinawan Prefecture Police Training Center, at the Okinawan Master's Training College, and at the Naha Commercial High School (where his teacher had once taught).

Chojun Miyagi worked hard to spread karate throughout Okinawa and mainland Japan, and to earn Naha-te a status equal to that of the highly respected Japanese martial arts of Judo and Kendo. To achieve this he traveled frequently to mainland Japan where he was invited to teach karate at Kyoto University and Ritsumei Kan University. In 1933 karate was registered at the Butokukai, the center for all martial arts in Japan. This was a milestone for karate as it meant that it was recognized on a level with the highly respected martial arts of Japan.

Chojun Miyagi dedicated his whole life to karate. He was responsible for structuring Naha-te (which he later named "Goju-Ryu") into a systematized discipline which could be taught to society in general. This teaching system that he formulated enabled karate to be taught in schools for the benefit of the young, and to reach vast numbers of people throughout the world. However, his private teaching at his home remained strictly in adherence to the principles of his teacher, Kanryo Higaonna, and his teacher before him, Ryu Ryu Ko.

Chojun Miyagi died on October 8th, 1953, of either a heart attack (the most popular explanation) or a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 65.

The naming of Goju-Ryu came about more by accident than design. In 1930, one of Chojun Miyagi's top students, Jin'an Shinzato was attending a Martial Arts convention in Tokyo. He was asked by numerous martial arts masters as to what school of martial arts he practiced. As Naha-te had no formal name he could not answer this question. Feeling his art would be looked down upon and given amateur status, he quickly picked Hankry-ryu, which means the Way of Half Hard. On his return to Okinawa he reported this incident to Chojun Miyagi. He liked Shinzato’s idea and took it one step further. After much consideration, Chojun Miyagi decided on the name 'Goju-Ryu' (hard and soft school) as a name for his style. He took this name from a line in the Bubishi (a classical Chinese text on martial arts and other subjects). This line, which appears in a poem describing the eight precepts of the martial arts, reads "Ho Goju Donto" (the way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness). The whole poem reads as follows:

2. The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the cycle of the sun and the moon.

Jin'an Shinzato was exceptionally talented. Chojun Miyagi had chosen him as his successor to the Goju school in Okinawa. Shinzato was tragically killed during the Second World War. Later, after the war, Chojun Miyagi chose Meitoku Yagi Sensei to succeed him in Okinawa and Gogen Yamaguchi to succeed him in Japan under the Goju-Kai school, to pass on Goju-Ryu to the next generation.

Chojun Miyagi passed away on October 8th , 1953, leaving a great legacy behind. He predicted that during the twentieth century karate would spread throughout the world. Today we can see that this prediction has been realized, karate is not only practiced in Japan, but it can be found throughout the world. Karate can no longer be referred to as a solely Okinawan or Japanese martial art, but it has become an art with no boundaries, an art for all nations and all people of the world.

Gogenen Yamaguchi was born on January 20, 1909, in Kagoshima city in southern Kyushu. As a youngster he showed great interest in the Martial Arts. During his early school days he trained kendo (Japanese fencing) and it was during this time that he started his karate training under the tutelage of Mr Maruta, a carpenter from Okinawa. Mr Maruta who was a Goju practitioner was drawn to the young Yamaguchi's serious attitude and his willingness to train hard. Mr Maruta taught Yamaguchi all he knew about the Goju system.

During his college days as a law student, Yamaguchi established his first karate club at the Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. Soon the dojo became famous in the city, known for it's hard training and fierce breathing exercise. In those days karate men practiced only kata (formal movements) and yakusoku kumite (prearranged sparring). They were unable to have matches between each other since they did not hold back their techniques. It was during this period that Yamaguchi established the rules for jiyu kumite (free fighting) and to decide the winner of a match. Some of the rules are still in use today in sport or competition karate.

In 1931, at the age of 22, Gogen Yamaguchi was introduced to the founder of the Goju style, - Master Chojun Miyagi. This meeting proved to have a profound effect upon Yamaguchi's outlook on karate. Previously he had only considered the hard aspect of Goju but after his meeting with Master Miyagi he was determined to train himself spiritually as well as physically. Master Miyagi thought highly of Yamaguchi who seemed to have mastered the hard aspect of Goju so well and gave him the nickname Gogen, meaning `Rough'. He then appointed Gogen Yamaguchi as his successor of the Goju school in Japan.

In the years to follow Gogen Yamaguchi often spent time at Mount Kurama where he subjected himself to ascetic exercises and hard training with sanchin, meditation and fasting. Between 1938-1945 he was sent to Manchuria on government and military assignments. On several occasions during his stay there, he could thank his skills in karate and his mental training that he stayed alive. During the Japanese-Russian war -45 Yamaguchi was taken prisoner of war and sent to a prison camp in Mongolia. He was kept there under harsh conditions for two years. Once again his strength and skill were severely put to the test. During all these years he still continued to train and develop Goju karate.

After his release and return to Japan, Yamaguchi became one of the most exciting figures in karate history. Known throughout the world as the `cat' because of his grace and speed in movement and because of his favorite fighting stance which is called neko ashi dachi (cat stance).

Master Yamaguchi's contributions to Goju-karate and to karate in general have been enormous. Under his leadership the International Karate-do Goju-kai Association (I.K.G.A) emerged. The organization has increased in popularity both in Japan and other Asian and western countries around the world. Today Goju-kai karate is being practiced in about 35 countries. Master Yamaguchi succeeded in uniting all the karate schools in Japan into a single union, which resulted in the formation of The Federation of All Japan Karate-do Organization (F.A.J.K.O.) in 1964. He added to the Goju system the Taikyoku Kata forms - training methods for the beginner students to prepare them for the more advanced kata's.

In combining his religious practices with karate training, he incorporated both Yoga and Shinto into Goju-kai karate and founded in his last years Goju-Shinto. He stated that both body and mind are interrelated and through proper breathing and concentration we will be able to understand the essence of the Martial Arts. This is the reason why the Goju school uses the unique breathing exercise called ibuki. Concentrating all the muscular strength at one point, bringing mind and body into a coherent whole.

The Kokusai Budo Renmei - The International Martial Arts Federation in Japan, whose chairman was Prince Higashikuni of the Japanese Imperial Family had appointed Master Yamaguchi as Shihan (master) of the organizations karate division. Never before has a single man had such profound effect on the development and propagation of karate-do. Master Gogen Yamaguchi, 10th dan, a man of intense dedication and determination can truly be called a karate legend. A master of Yoga and a Shinto priest, a man that truly has united both aspects of go and ju into a concerted union.

If I had 500 plus pages, was unemployed or retired and a couple extra thousand dollars to tell the entire history of Goju Ryu, I would however I do not so I will try to sum it as best as I can.

The roots of ‘Karate-do’ can be traced back to the unarmed and poor Buddhist monks from China and throughout Asia. Out of necessity they developed a form of self-defense for their survival.

Through the activities of trade and communications and by other means, from merchants to military, people brought back from China an art primarily recognized as To-De which would later be called and refined in Kara-te.

The actual naming of Goju Ryu is given credit to Chojun Miyagi. In 1927 there was a meeting, or convention of sorts, of Martial Artist in Kyoto, Japan (at the Butokukai). Because Miyagi Sensei could not attend at that time, he sent in his place his student Shinzato as a trusted stand in. Every attendee of the convention was asked to give a brief demonstration of his or her style. After performing Shinzato was asked what his style was actually called. Being from Naha, Okinawa he was reluctant to state it as being Naha-te for there were other styles of martial art in his city by the same name, so he stated the name as being Hankry-Ryu meaning ‘way of half hard’. Upon his return to Okinawa he told Miyagi Sensei of this question and of the answer he gave. Miyagi Sensei liked the idea so much he used it as his basis as to take its naming a step farther. The name “Goju” was finally conceived by Miyagi from his favorite poem found in the Bubishi (an Ancient book of Chinese Kempo and Military Science).

Other primary styles of Karate do had not yet been named as of yet either. They included;

Shindo Jinen-Ryu (today's Ryobu-Kai) which was named by its founder Yasuhiro Konishi. The name means “Godly, natural style, Complete empty-handed way”.

Wado Ryu was named by its founder Hironishi Ohtsuka. The name translates as “the study of Budo placing one in harmony with the Universe”

Kushin Ryu, as named by its founder Ueshima Sannosuke Sensei translates as “Sky-Heart” and (as similar to Wado Ryu) is based on the idea of the Universe & Man as the center and they exist in harmony.

The naming of the style Shotokan actually came about directly from its founder Gichin Funakoshi as Shoto was his pen name. He was convinced to name his style because his students were already communicating it as such where as the style was still called “To-te” however the school was notes as the house of Shoto or Shotokan.

Kenwa Mabuni (classmate and very close personal friend to Chojun Miyagi) had studied under the same teacher as Miyagi Sensei; Kanryo Higashionna (Higaonna) as well studied with Yasutsune Itosu Sensei. He named his style Shito Ryu by combining the first Kanji from each of his teacher’s names

The name Goju Ryu was derived from a Chinese Kempo poem of an ancient Chinese Text written on Military Science called “Bu-bi-Shi”. The proper Chinese translation would be “Wu Bi Shii”[1] and the proper spelling is something like ‘Wu pei Chih’. The Chinese sound for ‘P’ and ‘W’ are sometimes pronounced as the roman letter ‘B’ in English (just as Kung fu is English where it is actually or truly spelled as Gung Fu and pronounced closer to G instead of K). In the poem that follows; on the third line you can find the statement of Goju.

The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the cycle of the Sun and the Moon.

In reality, there have been known two different versions of the BubiShi. One primarily based on Military tactics, and the other refers to items ranging from remedies for ailments and injuries to Chinese Kata and Kempo.

Chronological Overview

March 10, 1853, in Nishimura (District of Naha), Higaonna Kanryo Sensei, founder of Naha-Te (originally Shorei Ryu) was born.

The year Miyagi Chojun Sensei stated that our style was established. Historians believe this is the year RyuKo began formally teaching

Higaonna Kanryo Sensei traveled to Foochow, Southern China to study Chinese Wushu. He was 23 years old at the time.

After a year passed, Higaonna Kanryo Sensei finally obtained an introduction to RyuKo. After performing chores for 4 to 6 months, RyuKo accepted Higaonna Kanryo Sensei as his student.

Aragaki RyuKo Sensei was born. He is the person who introduced Miyagi Chojun to Higaonna Kanryo in 1902. Aragaki RyuKo Sensei was also Miyagi's first Sensei.

Go Kenki was born. Go Kenki was Chinese and owned a tea store in Naha. Go Kenki was a Sifu (instructor) of White Crane and a very close friend of Miyagi. He traveled with Miyagi to China twice to serve as interpreter; once in 1915 and once in 1936. Go Kenki Sensei had a lot of influence on Miyagi Sensei's Karate specifically in his development of Tensho and Hankutsuru (white crane) Kata which some branches of Goju-Ryu perform.

Higaonna Kanryo returned to Okinawa from China. Note: It has been published that he returned in 1881. However, it is thought he left at age 22 and that he stayed for a total of 15 years, 14 of which he was training. This puts his return date 1889

Higa Seiko, founder of ShodoKan Goju-Ryu was born on November 8, 1889, in Higashi-Machi district of Naha. Higa Seiko originally trained with Higaonna Kanryo and following the latter’s death, continued training under Miyagi Chojun. Higa Seiko was the first student to teach Goju Ryu at a branch Dojo, although he did so without permission from Miyagi.

Higaonna Kanryo began teaching at his house in Nishishin-Machi, free of charge and in secrecy.

Shinzato Jin'an Sensei was born on February 5, 1901 in Kume-Mura(?) Okinawa. Shinzato Sensei was Miyagi Sensei's chosen successor to Goju-Ryu. It is accepted by all that Shinzato Sensei was Miyagi's best student.

Miyagi Chojun Sensei began training with Higaonna Kanryo. Miyagi was 14 years of age at the time. Miyagi Sensei was accepted as a student after having been introduced to Higaonna by Aragaki RyuKo Sensei.

September 1905, Higaonna Kanryo began teaching formally at the Naha Commercial High School. This same year, Higaonna Kanryo Sensei changed the open hand techniques in Sanchin Kata to the closed fist, so it would be more suitable and safe to teach in public schools.

Yamaguchi Yoshimi was born on January 20, 1909 in Kagoshima City Japan. Yamaguchi Sensei is also founder of the Goju-Kai, a Japanese Organization teaching Goju-Ryu. It is primarily through Yamaguchi Sensei that Goju-Ryu was introduced to the World.

Yagi Meitoku was born on March 6, 1912 in Kume-machi a district in Naha, Okinawa. He is the founder of MeibuKan Goju-Ryu. Yagi trained with Miyagi Sensei from 1929 to 1933, then, after Miyagi Sensei's death, 20 years later he opened a Dojo.

Jitsuei Yogi was born on September 27, 1912. He is the person who introduced Yamaguchi Gogen to Miyagi. He also assisted Miyagi Sensei with his first demonstration in Japan.

Higaonna Kanryo Sensei died in October at Nishiishin-Machi, 2-chome, Naha, Okinawa. Miyagi Sensei paid for his funeral.

Miyagi Sensei, Go Kenki, and Eisho Nakamoto journeyed to China to research RyuKo, and Higaonna Sensei's experience in China. On this trip, Miyagi Sensei visited the two-story house of RyuKo where Higaonna had trained. He also saw the ruined temple where RyuKo had learned martial arts. His visit lasted two months. All of the information he gathered from this trip was lost in WW II.

Gichin Funakoshi (a student of Shuri Te) gives his historic Karate Demonstration at Kyoto’s Butoku-Den.

Miyagi Sensei demonstrates Naha-te to Prince Hirohito, who stopped at Okinawa after his European tour.

Ei'Ichi Miyazato, founder of JundoKan, was born July 5, 1922. Miyazato Sensei was Miyagi Sensei's assistant instructor at the garden Dojo up until the founder's death. Miyagi's family gave Miyazato all of Miyagi's Hojo Undo equipment.

An'Ichi Miyagi (no relation), Higaonna Morio, and Teruo Chinen all trained at Miyazato's JundoKan Dojo. The above three also obtained their Dan grading's from Miyazato Sensei. Miyazato Sensei is also a well-known and respected Judo Champion.

Seigo Tada was born in Kyoto. One of Yamaguchi Sensei's senior students. Seigo Sensei went on to form the Seigo-Kan Organization, which became the largest Goju Ryu Association in Japan.

Master Gichin Funakoshi returns to Tokyo and works as both a schoolteacher and opens a Karate institute and named it the “Shoto-Kan School”. This later became the name of his style.

Miyagi Chojun Sensei formed the Karate Kenkyu Club to ensure the preservation of Karate as an Okinawan treasure. The Club was established in Asahigoaka, Wakasa-cho, and Naha-Shi. The co-founders were Miyagi, Hanashiro Chomo, Motobu Choyo and Kenwa Mabuni and accepted the title Shihan (Master teacher).

Seikichi Higa was born, February 10, 1927. Seikichi Higa Sensei went on to become one of Higa Seiko's most senior students. Miyagi Sensei received an invitation to demonstrate at the All Japan Martial Arts Demonstration (pre Gogen Yamaguchi) to be held on May 5, 1930. Miyagi Sensei sent Shinzato Jin'an Sensei instead. Shinzato Sensei performed Sanchin and Sesan Kata. It was here that Shinzato Sensei was asked what the name of his style was. Shinzato Sensei replied Hankry-Ryu "way of Half Hard", the truth is, and he simply said "Naha-Te". Upon his return, Shinzato Sensei explained to Miyagi Sensei what had happened. After much thought, Miyagi Sensei named his system Goju-Ryu after a line from a poem in the book BubiShi, which reads "Ho Go Ju Donto"; the way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness.

According to Gogen Yamaguchi in his autobiography, this is the year that Jitsuei Sensei introduced Yamaguchi Sensei to Miyagi (although he was first invited in 1926). Yamaguchi Sensei also states that this is the year that he and Mr. Jitsuei Yogi officially started the Goju Ryu School (assumed to be the Japanese Branch Goju-Kai).

Goju Ryu was officially registered with the Dai Nihon Butokukai as a style. This occasion recognized Karate as an official art.

Miyagi Sensei was appointed Chief of Karate for the Okinawan branch of the Butokukai. Butokukai awarded him the title of Kyoshigo, 2nd highest title.

Miyagi Sensei gives his second demonstration in Japan (by invitation Gogen Yamaguchi), with Jitsuei Sensei as his assistant. While in Japan, Miyagi Sensei stayed in Jitsuei Sensei's apartment.

January 28, 1936, Miyagi Sensei gave a demonstration in Osaka, Japan. It is here that Miyagi Sensei presented his famous speech regarding Karate and its benefits.

Miyagi Sensei was awarded the Meiyo Shihan (Honorary Master Teacher) and Jitsuei Yogi and Yamaguchi Gogen were awarded Shihan-Dai (Assistant Instructors). The Butokukai awarded these ranks or licenses.

Yamaguchi Sensei travels to Manchuria as an intelligence officer. There are many points that state he was already there in 1938.

Chojun Miyagi and Shoshin Nagamine (Founder of Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu) created the Gekisai Kata to standardize Karate, make it easier to learn and to prepare young Okinawa’s for war. For this latter reason Gekisai Dai Ichi ends with a forward step instead of a backward one.

Miyagi Sensei was invited to teach at Ritsumei-Kan University (not by Yamaguchi Sensei as he was still in China at this time however by Jitsuei and Ujita)). It was at this time that a Karate-Ka tried to buy rank and Miyagi was so disgusted he never returned to Kyoto.

March 31, 1945 Shinzato Sensei was killed by bombs at Kin Village, Okinawa, while standing at the entrance to a cave where his unit was seeking cover.

August 1st of this year, the United States established a military Government in Japan and it was at this time the Okinawans were able to return safely to their homeland from the northern mountains and the Japanese mainland.

Yamaguchi Sensei returned to Japan from China permanently with his sons now Born in Manchuria China.

Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei in May officially reorganized and formed the Karate-Do Goju-Kai in Tokyo. 30,00 members are contacted throughout the country to help ‘set up shop’.

Miyagi Sensei began accepting a few students again at his garden Dojo. Prior to this, the only two students training regularly at his Dojo were Miyagi An’Ichi and Aragaki Suechi.

Some of Miyagi Sensei's former students began to return for training. At this time Ei'Ichi Miyazato was the Chief Instructor at the garden Dojo.

Miyagi Sensei died on October 8th of this year, never having named a successor given a Black Belt. Some say he told the students of the garden Dojo and his wife, that Ei'Ichi Miyazato was to be Chief. Miyazato also assumed Miyagi Sensei's teaching role at the Naha Police Academy. However, Miyagi Sensei's death came early and unexpected, therefore he had not yet prepared for the future of Goju Ryu.

Yamaguchi Gosen Sensei, son of Yamaguchi Gogen Sensei, introduced Goju-Kai in San Francisco, at the University of San Francisco.

Meitoku Yagi receives Miyagi Sensei's Gi and Obi. However, this Gi was purchased for Miyagi Sensei by Ei'Ichi Miyazato when Miyazato went to Japan to compete in Judo. Today, it hangs in his Meibu-Kan Dojo.

Yamaguchi Gosei Sensei joins his younger brother Gosen in San Francisco and eventually takes over Goju-Kai USA.

Rodney Hu becomes a 3rd Dan Chief Instructor under Yamaguchi Gosei Sensei. In Hawaii Hu Sensei was a student of Masaichi Oshiro Sensei, who was the Goju-Kai Hawaiian representative. Hu Sensei opened a Goju-Kai Dojo in Stockton, California.

Yamaguchi Gogen Sensei was critical in forming the All Japan Karate-Do Federation.

Yamaguchi Gosei Sensei awards Masaichi Oshiro Sensei of Hawaii the rank of Godan.

Gogen Yamaguchi Hanshi is honored by Emperor Hirohito of Japan with Ranju-Hosho, the Blue Ribbon Medal and the Fifth Order of Merit.

Goju Ryu Kai now has 112 Dojo in Japan. There are also 29 public Organizations, 24 college clubs and 29 high school clubs. There are also overseas regions in Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea, Formosa, Philippines, Australia, and the USA.

Chinen Teruo Sensei, a student of Ei'Ichi Miyazato and Higaonna Morio, introduces Okinawan Goju-Ryu to Spokane, Washington. Today, Chinen Sensei heads JundoKan International.

November 29, the distinguished 3 story, 2 year college envisioned by Gogen Yamaguchi is completed in Tokyo.

John S. O'Hara Sensei opens Goju-Ryu Karate-Do of Bakersfield in Bakersfield, California and is appointed Goju-Kai Central California Representative by Yamaguchi Gosei Sensei.

The International Karate Do Goju Ryu Kai reaches an all time high of over 400,000 members throughout the world, and over 20,000 students in the USA as well as 68 Dojo. Up to date this is the largest Karate association of all time.

Yamaguchi Gogen Sensei died on May 20th of this year. His oldest son, Yamaguchi Gosei oversees America Goju-Kai, and Yamaguchi Goshi Sensei (Yamaguchi's youngest son) oversees Goju-Kai International.

Seigo Tada, Chairman of the Seigo Kan, at one time the largest Goju Ryu Organization in Japan Dies. His wife continues his efforts of Seigo-Kan Goju Ryu in both Japan and their second home in Brazil, South America.

One of the original students of Chojun Miyagi, Toguchi Passes away leaving behind his Okinawan Shorei Kan Goju Ryu Karate-Do.

Among other milestone of Goju-Ryu, there are the splinter groups and styles of Goju Ryu including Goju Ryu Shinto, Kyokushinkai Karate, Oyama, Sabaki and the list goes on and on.

Furthermore, included in the distinguished JKF is the Korean Martial Arts Sylabus which has inherited many Japanese Kata now found in Renbu Kai (Not to be confused with Ryobu Kai), originally a Korean style however reformatted to fit within the JKF.

Standardized Tae Kwon Do for instance was founded by General Lee of Korea who, after returning from Japan began teaching in Korea. He Studied Shotokan however there comes the story of Kee Hwang (a.k.a. Ki-Chang Hang) whom founded the Korean style “Mu Duk Kwan” (martial virtue hall) on Nov. 9, 1945. A railway worker, Hwang is said to have studied Chinese Kuo-Shu while working on the Japanese railroads in Manchuria in 1936 and after also studied with Gogen Yamaguchi whom he noted as “a personal friend." Yamaguchi, was also in Manchuria during the same period and it is believed that Hwang also studied with him at that time. Yamaguchi was a Japanese intelligence officer stationed near the Russian border, and Hwang also was near the Russian border during at least one point in his travels (he has mentioned being at the town of Man Chu Li). From an examination of his later writings, Hwang certainly seems to have been much more influenced by Japanese Karate-do than by Chinese Kuo-Shu. The basic Pumse ("forms") of Tang So Do are nearly identical to the Kata ("forms") of Shotokan Karate-do. They include the three Kijo Pumse (based on the first three Goju Ryu Taikyoku Kata), the five Pyong-Ann Pumse (based upon the five Heian Kata), and "Basahee" (Bassai). On the other hand, the advanced Pumse are named after Chinese styles, including T'ai Guk Kwon ("Great Absolute Fist", or Tai Ji Quan pronounced Tai Chi Quan) and Jang Kwon ("long fist").

[1] Assistance with much translation and pronunciation of Chinese items within this paper in its entirety was from reference of Mrs. Kelly Wang, a graduate Beijing University M.S. Literature, History.