History of Goju Ryu Okinawan Karate Do

Due in large to the lack of literature, Karate history is shrouded in mystery. One widely adopted theory is that the Okinawan art know as "Te" was brought from Asia, in particular, from India and China, mainly from the trading ships that docked in ports around Okinawa.

Subsumed by legend, it is believed that a Buddhist monk spent a number of years in a Shaolin temple and taught the resident monks how develop a strong mental and spiritual health to help with the practice of their mediation exercises.

These teaching are often considered the origin of Kempo techniques.

By the mid-to-late 1800's, three specific martial art styles were developed, commonly referred to today as Shuri-te, Tomari-te and Naha-te. Shuri-te was influenced by the hard techniques of Kempo whilst Tomari-te was influenced by both the hard and soft techniques of Kempo. Naha-te on the other hand was of a more defensive nature influenced more by the softer techniques and breathing contol (ki) and also a striking characteristic was the use of grappling, throwing and locking methods.

In time, both Shuri-te and Tomari-te were absorbed into what was to be called Shorin ryn whilst Naha-te became what we refer to today as

Goju Ryu the hard and soft style of martial arts

Born in Naha in 1853, Higaonna Kanryo Sensei learned Kempo and in 1868 he travelled to Fuchou in China where he was formerly introduced to master Ryu Ryuko becoming his student and later his skilled disciple.

Ryu Ryuko Ryu Ryuko, master of the White Crane Kung Fu began to teach Higaonna Kanryo Sensei what has become evident in the Goju Ryu we see today, namely, the Kata's, Suparunpai, Kururunfa, Saifa

Returning to Okinawa in the late 1880's, Higaonna Kanryo Sensei's reputation grew as a highly skilled martial artist developing extremely superior kicking techniques.

Higaonna Kanryo Sensei Higaonna Kanryo Sensei converted his house to a dojo and until his death in 1915 he continued to teach martial arts. Today the honour as the founder of Okinawan karate is bestowed upon him.

Miyagi Chojun Sensei Born in Higashi in 1888, Miyagi Chojun Sensei came from a wealthy family but had developed a reputation for being unruly. He trained under Aragak Ryuko Sensei at the age of twelve but his parents decided to send him to train with Higaonna Kanryo Sensei to hopefully teach him some discipline along the way.

Higaonna Kanryo Sensei, was known for only teaching his students the practice of Sanchin for the first three years to promote strong bodies but his lead students to leave his dojo either due to boredom or the toughness of the training.

However, Miyagi Chojun Sensei's abilities started to grow coupled with his passion for his training. During this time, Miyagi Chojun Sensei became Higaonna Kanryo Sensei's master student and together they improved the Naha-te martial art until 1915 when Higaonna Kanryo Sensei died.

Learning the entire Goju Ryu syllabus of Katas from his master Sanchin, Saifa, Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseiru, Seipai, Kururunfa, Seisan and Suparinpei, Miyagi Chojun Sensei expanded on this with the Kata Tensho (rotating palms) and various warm up exercises under the guidance of medical professionals. Turning his garden into a dojo, Miyagi Chojun Sensei continued to teach the martial art style of Naha-te to the public in a attempt to bring equal status with the more well known martial sciences at the time of Kendo and Judo.

Just before the beginning of World War II, whilst the military were escalating in Japan, Chojun Myagi Sensei developed he Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni Katas to introduce new students to the martial art whilst building their bodies and spirit.

Around this time the introduction of the name Goju Ryu was formed. Almost as a after-thought, one Chojun Myagi Sensei's students, Shinzato Ji'nan, was asked what his Karate style was called during a Karate demonstration. Without any real answer he returned and explained this to Chojun Myagi Sensei. Thus from the Kempo Haku poem of the Bubishi, the name Goju Ryu was formed.

Miyagi Anichi Sensei Born in the city of Naha in 1931, Anichi Miyagi began training under Chojun Miyagi Sensei at the age of 17. Appointed as his personal disciple, he became the only student to ever learn the complex system of Goju Ryu in its entirety. Following the tradition of Goju Ryu he also teaches the entire Goju Ryu system to one and only one student - the legendary Morio Higaonna Sensei

Morio Higaonna Sensei 10th Dan and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do federation (IOGKF), Morio Higaonna Sensei was born in 1938 in Naha and began his instruction under Miyagi Anichi Sensei dedicating his entire life to the study of the martial sciences

- his story continues to be written ...