A Brief History of Goju-Ryu
The art of
Naha-te, founded by Kanryo Higaonna Sensei, forms the basis of Goju Ryu Karate.
Kanryo Higaonna Sensei was born in 1853 and was part of the lower gentry.
He longed to study in China the art of Chinese Kempo, however, was lacking
in financial means until he was introduced to the owner of a ship. Fortunately,
the owner granted him passage and Kanryo Higaonna Sensei soon arrived at the
port city of Foochow, the only city in China engaged in trade with Okinawa
at that time. Eventually, he was introduced to Master Ryu Ryuko. Kanryo Higaonna
Sensei spent sixteen years in Foochow, China, studying under Master Ryu Ryuko
and become like a son to him. He also became well known throughout the region
as a great martial artist. Upon his return to Okinawa, Kanryo Higaonna Sensei
paid his respects to the owner of the ship, Yoshimura, and began teaching
his sons the art he had learned. As the word spread of his great skill, he
soon also taught members of the royal family. Later he opened his own dojo.
Kanryo Higaonna Sensei was especially known for his incredible speed, strength
and power and his art became known as Naha-dee (te). (See Kanryo
Higaonna Sensei Profile)
The actual founder of the Goju Ryu karate was Miyagi Chojun Sensei, a personal
disciple of Kanryo Higaonna Sensei. At the age of 14, Miyagi Chojun Sensei
met Kanryo higaonna Sensei and together they devoted their lives to the improvement
and advancement of the art of Naha-te. They spent thirteen years together
until Kanryo Higaonna Sensei passed away in 1916. Miyagi Chojun Sensei?s family
was part of the gentry. They owned two trading ships that imported medicine
from China for both the government and private individuals. The same year
Kanryo Higaonna Sensei died, Miyagi Chojun Sensei left for China to discover
the roots of Naha-te in the city of Foochow. Unfortunately, all had fled during
the revolutionary war and he returned to Okinawa. Miyagi Chojun Sensei was
a man of strong will and excelled in his studies. He trained daily, often
with nature in harsh elements, and practiced various exercises to develop
his senses. He created several katas and sometimes would receive instructions
from his dreams.
In addition to his personal training and development of Naha-te, Miyagi Chojun
Sensei spent a great deal of his time promoting the art. In 1921, he performed
a demonstration of Naha-te in Okinawa for the visiting Prince Hirohito, Emperor
of Japan, and in 1925 for Prince Chichibu. Miyagi chojun Sensei had already
envisioned the development of Naha-te not only in Japan but also around the
world. It became increasingly important to organize and unify Okinawan karate
as a cultural treasure to be passed on to future generations. In 1926, Miyagi
Chojun Sensei established the Karate Research Club in Wakas-Cho. Four instructors,
Miyagi Chojun, Hanashiro, Motobu and Mabuni, taught alternately some preliminary
exercises and supplemental exercises. Afterwards, Miyagi Chojun Sensei gave
talks to the students about mankind, daily life, and the samurai code of ethics
in order to improve their moral development as well. In 1927, Kano Jigoro
Sensei, founder of Judo, saw a demonstration of a kata by Miyagi Chojun Sensei
and was impressed by the advanced technique and sophistication of Naha-te.
Kano Sensei?s influence allowed Miyagi Chojun Sensei to perform Okinawan karate
at leading Japanese Budo tournaments sponsored by the government. In 1930,
Miyagi Chojun Sensei performed at the Butoku-kai Tournament and at the Sainei
Budo Tournament in 1932.
As its exposure increased, many became interested in Miyagi Chojun Sensei?s
art. One of Miyagi Chojun Sense?s senior disciples, Shinzato Sensei, gave
a performance of kata at a Japanese martial arts tournament. Afterwards, a
master asked the name of his school. Shinzato Sensei had no answer for him,
returned to Okinawa and told Miyagi Chojun Sensei about his encounter. In
order to promote his art as well as cooperate with other schools of Japanese
martial arts, Miyagi Chojun Sensei decided it was necessary to name his art.
It became known as ?Goju Ryu? Karate, meaning ?hard and soft? taken from the
precepts of traditional Chinese Kempo (see below). He was the first among
different schools of karate to name his art and in 1933 his art of Goju Ryu
was formally registered at the Butoku-kai, Japanese Martial Arts Association.
During the 1930?s, Miyagi Chojun Sensei actively developed and promoted karate-do
in Japan and throughout the world. For example, in 1934, a Hawaiian newspaper
company invited him to Hawaii in order to introduce and populate karate in
Hawaii. In 1936, Miyagi Chojun Sensei spent two months in Shanghai, China,
for further study of Chinese martial arts. In 1937, he was awarded a commendation
by the Butoku-kai for his kata. Miyagi Chojun Sensei developed Goju Ryu by
analyzing and employing scientific methods of exercise. In 1940, he created
katas ?Gekisai Dai? ichi? and ?Gekisai Dai? ni? with the purpose of popularizing
karate and improving the physical education of young people. He also created
?Tensho? kata emphasizing the softness of the art whereas ?Sanchin? kata emphasizes
the hardness.
A tragic period ensued in the 1940?s as a result of World War II and Miyagi
Chojun Sensei stopped teaching. During this period he lost a son and a senior
student while enduring the devastations of war and poverty. After the war,
Okinawan karate spread rapidly throughout mainland Japan. Miyagi Chojun Sensei
taught karate in Kansai, Japan, for a short time. In 1946, however, he started
teaching karate at the Okinawan Police Academy as well as in the backyard
of his home in Tsuboya where his son still lives today.
From the beginning, Miyagi Chujun Sensei recognized karate as a valuable social
treasure of Okinawa. He devoted his entire life to the study, development
and transmission of Okinawan karate for the sake of future generations and
is truly known as the founder of Goju Ryu karate-do. During his lifetime,
Miyagi Chojun Sensei was known and respected by everyone not only in Okinawa
but also respected throughout the world as one of karate?s greatest authorities.
Miyagi Chojun Sensei chose the name ?Goju Ryu? from the ?Eight Precepts? of
traditional Chinese Kempo found in the document ?Bubishi? and are as follows:
1.The mind is one with heaven and earth.
2.The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the cycle of the sun and
the moon.
3.The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness.
4.Act in accordance with time and change.
5.Techniques will occur in the absence of conscious thought.
6.The feet must advance and retreat, separate and meet.
7.The eyes do not miss even the slightest change.
8.The ears listen well in all directions.
These eight precepts are the essence of the martial arts and are the elements
one strives to achieve in training Goju Ryu Karate-do. Such training shall
serve to lead humankind to rediscover our natural instincts and capabilities.
