History of Okinawan Goju Ryu

The origins of Karate-Do go back to the ancient travels of Buddhist monks throughout the Asian frontier. Unarmed and oppressed; it became necessary for them to develop a unarmed form of self-defence for their survival. Throughout time the Chinese developed it into a formidable art.

Merchants travelling south from China to the Islands; or Okinawa; brought with them this art of "Chinese Hand" or "To-De" (later to be called karate - empty hand).

When Japan invaded these islands, it's warriors found themselves confronted by the fierce retaliation of skilled practitioners of secret art.

Goju-Ryu or Goju school is one of four major schools of Karate-Do with a proud history and tradition. The founder of Goju-Ryu, Master Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) entrusted the teaching of Goju-Ryu in mainland Japan to Master Gogen Yamaguchi (1909-1989). Master Gogen Yamaguchi founded All Japan Karate-Do Goju-Kai in 1950 and promoted Goju-Kai throughout the world.

Along with our new president of Goju-Kai, Master Goshi Yamaguchi, all the members of Goju-Kai worldwide are working as one to pursue and contribute to the development of Karate-Do.

The characteristics of Goju-Ryu can be divided into four main categories:

Breathing Techniques ("Ibuki"): To consciously control breathing to unite the mind and body, activate the internal organs and to reach a state of total awareness.

The principle Yo ("Yo") and Yin ("Ju"):
The techniques of Goju-Ryu are based on the infinite combinations of "Go" (strength) and "Ju" (softness). One can use the circular movements of "Ju" to centre the "Go" attacks and swiftly fight back with "Go".

"Jiyu Kumite" (Free Fight / Combat) suited to close range combat: The "Kumite" (the practice in free style combat) of Goju-Ryu is suited to close range combat using the "Neko-ashi-Dachi" (The Cat Stance) for unrestricted movement and successive multiple attacks.

The philosophy of "Buji" (absence of conflict or peace): The philosophy behind Goju-Ryu is demonstrated in Master Chojun Miyagi's words "Not to be hit / attacked or hit / attack, the absence of conflict is the essence".

All Japan Karate-Do Goju-Kai continues passing down these traditions as well as actively promoting Karate-Do as a modern competitive sport by participating in tournaments worldwide, gaining recognition for admirable results.

Of the various Japanese styles of Karate, Goju-Ryu has received the greatest amount of Chinese influence. Late in the 19th Century, Kanryo Higaonna, the highest authority in Naha-Te, went abroad to the Chinese city of Fuchou, where he studied Chinese boxing. Chojun Miyagi, his successor and the founder of Goju-Ryu, spent the years from 1904 through 1908 there.

It is believed that Mr. Higaonna studied the Hung style of Shaolin Chuan, one of the hard fist, or external styles. Mr. Miyagi, on the other hand, studied not only Shaolin Chuan, but also another style known as Pa Kua Chang, or Eight-Diagram Palm, Pa Kua Chang, along with I Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan, was among the most prevalent of the soft fist, or internal styles.

Having mastered these two styles in addition to the original Okinawa-Te, Mr. Miyagi transformed Naha- Te into a system of Karate instruction which he called Goju-Ryu. It was the first organization to be considered a style.

The meaning of Goju is derived from to contrasting terms - GO (Hard) and JU (Soft). It is said that the concept of combining the two extremes originated in a martial arts doctrine known as Wu Pei Chih. It remained for Mr. Miyagi to combine the hard fist of Shaolin Chuan with the soft fist of Pa Kua Chang.

The student of Chojun Miyagi; the carpenter, Murata; travelled to Japan and began to teach. One of his students, was a young man who was agile, fast and strong and had a reputation for being a deceptive fighter, giving no ground to any adversary. He was known as the "Cat", because of his favourite fighting stance - Neko ashi Kamae (Cat Stance) and his speed. His name was Gogen Yamaguchi. He founded the Ritsumeikan University Karate Club in Kyoto and was chief instructor.

He soon proved to be a man of credibility and initiative and became highly respected in Karate circles in Japan. He systemized the style into basically the system used all over the world today, and organized the style into it's current organization - Goju Kai.

In 1930 Mr. Yamaguchi succeeded in his efforts to have karate admitted into the Butoku-Kai, the official government headquarters for Japanese martial arts. That same year, Goju headquarters were established in Tokyo next to the famous Giho-Kai Institute.

Mr. Yamaguchi continued his efforts to expand the art of Karate in Japan. The decision to relocate the headquarters of the All Japan Karate-Do Goju Kai organization in Tokyo in 1950 resulted in a great jump in popularity for the style, both in Japan and abroad.

On his death bed in 1953, the old master Miyagi called for all the senior members of Goju-Kai and announced to them his choice of a successor. It was then that Mr. Yamaguchi obliged himself the students of Goju in Japan to unite as an organization, Goju-Kai. His leadership was unopposed and by virtue of his task the senior hierarchy of the Martial Arts Fraternity in Japan bestowed on him the honour of Grand Master, 10th Dan Hanshi. Being the head of this order he is called Kaicho.

Gogen Yamaguchi was born on 20th January, 1909 in Kagoshima Province, the southernmost region of Japan. He has contributed many distinguished services to the development of Karate. He originated the method of jiyu kumite (free sparring) which has come to be known as sport karate. He was the moving force behind the formation of the All Japan Karate Federation in 1964.

For more information on the various Okinawan arts ,Refer to martial arts styles in the header.