|  | | | LINEAGE Seiwa Kai & Peter Klipfel Shihan |
| | | | Ryu Ryu Ko was the first chain link leading to todays Okinawan Goju Ryu. He learned fighting art from a Shaolin temple in the mountains of Fujian province (China). We unfortunately do not have any precise date concerning his birth and death. On the other hand, we know that he was very well-known in the town of Fuzhou (Fujian). At this time, he had a small store where he manufactured and sold various articles of cane and rattan. He was famous for his very strong grips. Excelling in bare hands martial art, he taught it to Kanryo Higaonna, as well as weapons and herbal medicine. It should be noted that according to Chojun Miyagi who learned it from Kanryo Higaonna, there was, at the same time as Ryu Ryu Ko, another famed teacher practising the same style. This latter, Wan Shin Za, smaller than Ryu Ryu Ko, had a broader and longer Sanchin stance . Kanryo Higaonna said to Chojun Miyagi :"my teacher is Ryu Ryu Ko".This information was transmitted to An'ichi Miyagi who imparted it to Morio Higaonna.
|
|
|
| | | | Grand master Kanryo Higaonna was born on March 10, 1853 in Naha, the capital city 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 this work and through the hard physical Labour that was involved, he developed a strong body.
Kanryo Higaonna was still in his teens when his father died suddenly. Kanryo decided he wanted to study the martial arts and he set his heart on travelling to Fuzhou, China for this purpose. In 1869, at the age of 16, he arrived in Fuzhou. 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 also became accomplished in weapons techniques and Chinese herbal medicine. Master Ryu Ryu Ko esteemed his pupil highly and sanctioned Kanryo's mastery of these arts - an honour which is accorded extremely rarely. Such was Kanryo's skill in the martial arts that his fame became widespread throughout Fuzhou and the surrounding area.
In 1881, after 13 years of diligent study with his teacher, he returned to Naha, Okinawa 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; and to improve both physical and spiritual well-being.
In October 1905, when Kanryo Higaonna began teaching at the Naha Commercial High School, it marked the first occasion on which the previously secretive art of Naha-te was "opened" to society in general.
When teaching, Kanryo Higaonna was an extremely hard task master. However, in his everyday life, he was a quiet and humble man and one who was renowned for his virtuous character. He was a man who had no need or desire for worldly things. He lead a simple life which was completely devoted to the study and practice of the martial arts
Kanryo Higaonna unparalleled skill in the martial arts aside, his great and distinguished work was in bringing the Chinese martial arts from China to Okinawa, and there 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 whole life was devoted to karate. He passed away in December 1915 at the age of 63.
|
|
| | | | Grand master Chojun Miyagi was born on April 25, 1888. In 1902, he began training in karate under Kanryo Higaonna at the age of 14. 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 practised 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 skills 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 martial arts at his home in Naha. Later, he also taught at the Okinawan Prefecture Police Training Centre, the Okinawan Master's Training College and at the Naha Commercial High School where his teacher 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 travelled frequently to mainland Japan where he was invited to teach karate at Kyoto University, Kansai University and Ritsumei Kan University, respectively. 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 systematic discipline which could be taught to society in general. This teaching system which 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 and traditions of his teacher, Kanryo Higaonna, and his teacher before him, Ryu Ryu Ko.
The naming of Goju-Ryu came about more by accident than design. In 1930, Chojun Miyagi's top student, Jin'an Shinzato, while in Tokyo was asked by numerous martial arts masters as to what school of martial arts he practiced. As Naha-te te had no formal name he could not answer this question. On his return to Okinawa he reported this incident to Chojun Miyagi. After much consideration Chojun Miyagi decided on the name Goju-Ryu (hard & soft school) as a name for his style.
This name he took 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).
|
|
| | | | Kaiso Gogen Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi Jitsumi was one of Miyagi Sensei's most devoted students. After some years he learned that Chojun Miyagi, Goju-ryu's founder was teaching in Japan, and was introduced to him. After speaking with Miyagi Sensei, Yamaguchi Sensei was accepted as a student and began training directly under Miyagi for several years. Miyagi Sensei gave him the name "Gogen" which translates to rough. Yamaguchi continued to use his new name and became known world-wide as Gogen Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi Sensei was charged with the promotion of Goju-Ryu in Japan, a challenge that he eagerly accepted.
Yamaguchi served Japan in World War II as a special delegate in Manchuria. After his his service in the war, Yamaguchi Sensei fromed the All Japan Karatedo Gojukai Association (Zen Nihon Karatedo Goju-Kai). The Fist Ensignia is his creation, and is used to identify only the associations that are directly associated to the corporations that he created.)Yamaguchi Gogen Sensei was credited with many accomplishments. Included was helping to form the Japan Karate Federation, helping to found Japan's Karate University, developing the first standardized set of rules for kumite practice, and forming the two Gojukai organizations, the all Japan Karate-do Gojukai Association (JKGA) and the International Karate-do Gojukai Association.
Yamaguchi Sensei had five children. All practiced Karate-do and are recognized throughout the world as exceptional martial artists and teachers. Yamaguchi Gosei Shihan, the oldest son teaches Karate in the United States, and is president of the Gojukai USA Association. Mr Yamaguchi holds the copyright to the fist insignia representing the Gojukai. Yamaguchi Gosen Shihan, the second son of Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei was the first of the Yamaguchi family to bring the complete system to the United States, where he also worked and attended university. Mr Yamaguchi unfortunately passed away some years back. Yamaguchi Makiko Sensei also passed away in the 1980's. Yamaguchi Goshi Shihan, Gogen Sensei's third son, inherited the position of president of both the IKGA and JKGA after his father died in 1989. He was elected Saiko Shihan - Grandmaster for the two organizations. Yamaguchi Wakako Shihan's forte was for kata. She was an All Japan kata Champion, and was also an excellent Shihan in the Gojukai.
|
|
| | Shuji Tasaki Hanshi - founder and president of the Seiwa Kai Group internationally - Seiwa Kai founded in 1972 . Tasaki was a former top student of the late Gogen Yamaguchi |
| |
| | | | Kyoshi Leo Lipinski 8th Dan - Chief instructor for Europe |
| |
| |
