History
-Chojun Miyagi
Goju-Ryu Karate-Do is a manifestation within one's own self of the harmonious accord of the universe.
-Chojun Miyagi
Karate in OkinawaOkinawa is the largest of the Ryukyu islands in the West Pacific. Okinawa's capital is Naha. During the mid 14th Century, the middle part of Okinawa (Chuzan), entered into a subordinate relationship with China. This included paying tribute to the Chinese emperor. The Chuzan kingdom began to send many people to China (emmisaries, students, businessmen, traders, etc.) and likewise many Chinese traveled to Okinawa. As a result of this, many Chinese customs and traditions were adopted in Okinawa.In 1477 the new Sho dynasty banned all carrying of weapons. All weapons were confiscated and locked in the castle. Following th disarming of the people, secret schools of hand to hand combat were raised and Okinawan karate was born.
Higaonna Kanryo SenseiHigaonna Kanryo Sensei was born in Naha on March 10, 1853. Kanryo Sensei was a small boy called "Machu". Although small, his movements were quick and his body was extremely limber. Even in early childhood Machu showed a great interest and aptitude for the martial arts.At the age of 16 he began training in Chinese Kempo (The popular fighting art of China). It did not take long for the young martial artist to reach a level fexertse oprabeo a of his teacher. Higaonna Kanryo Sensei was determined to travel to China to study Chinese Kempo.In 1867 Higaonna Sensei left Okinawa and sailed for Foochow, China. There he met the Chinese Kempo master, Master Ryu Ryuko. He was not immediately accepted as a disciple. First he worked at the house of Ryu Ryuko, where he cleaned the rooms and garden. Higaonna Sensei did all of the things earnestly and enthusiastically over a long period of time. Master Ryu Ryuko was much impressed by the attitude of Higaonna Sensei, and so accepted him as a personal disciple.
After being accepted, Higaonna Sensei would help Master Ryu Ryuko at his trade during the day as a craftsman, while training took place after dark. After several years of HARD training, Higaonna Sensei became Master Ryu Ryuko's most skilled disciple.
Higaonna Sensei stayed on as Master Ryu Ryuko's disciple for 14 years before returning to Okinawa.Naha-TeHigaonna Sensei opened up his house as a dojo (training facility), and started to teach his art without charging tuition. His fame spread rapidly throughout Naha and even the king of the Ryukyu Dynasty asked Higaonna Sensei to be the royal family's instructor in the martial arts. Many came to Higaonna Sensei to become disciples, but because the training was harsh, only a few remained waith Higaonna Sensei for long. In 1905, Higaonna started to teach at a public school twice a week. The art of Higaonna Sensei came to be known as "Naha-Te" meaning Naha(the city) and hand (technique). Today, Higaonna Kanryo Sensei is honored as the founder of Naha-Te.
Miyagi Chojun SenseiMany students came to Higaonna Sensei, but because the training was so harsh, not many remained. Among his disciples, young Miyagi Chojun Sensei was one of the few that remained with Higaonna Sensei throughout his training.Higaonna Sensei and his disciples devoted their lives to the improvement and advancement of the art of Naha-Te. In 1916, Higaonna Sensei fell ill and Miyagi Chojun Sensei looked after his master, nursing him with devotion until he passed away. The art of Naha-Te was subsequently passed into the hands of Miyagi Chojun Sensei.After the death of Higaonna Sensei, Miyagi Sensei could no longer receive instruction from his master so he turned to his natural surroudngs for inspiration and began to train himself in close contact with nature.In 1921 and in 1925, Miyagi Sensei performed his art at ceremonies for the royal family where he foresaw the development of karate in Japan and throughout the world. He found it important to organize and unify the world of Okinawan karate in order to preserve it as a cultural treasure. In 1926 he founded a club called the karate Research Club in Naha-Te.
This club was founded by Miyagi Chojun Sensei, Hanashiro Chomo Sensei (of Shuri-Te), Motosu Choyu Sensei and Mabuni Kenwa Sensei (founder of Shito-Ryu). These four instructors took turns teaching the students alternately.
After training, Miyagi Chojun Sensei often talked with his students about the spirit and essence of the martial arts, his talks touching many topics. Miyagi Sensei tried to help his students not only in their karate training but in their moral development as well. The club lasted until 1929.
The naming of Goju-RyuMiyagi Sensei's senior disciple, Shinzato Jin'an gave a performance of his skill at the All Japan Martial Arts Tournament. After his performance, Shinzato was asked by a master of kobudo (traditional martial arts) to which school of karate he belonged. Shinzato could not answer the question, for at that time there was no need to have a name for each karate style. Miyagi thought about this problem for a while, finally he decided that it was necessary to have a name for his martial arts style in order to promote and spread his art and also in order to cooperate with other schools of Japanese martial arts.
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