History
- A BRIEF HISTORY OF GOJU RYU
- MY TRAINING WITH MASTER AN'ICHI MIYAGI
- An'ichi Miyagi
- THE LION OF OKINAWA
- The More You Went, The More You Learned
- Travel Abroad
- The Spread of Goju, And Return to Roots
- The Move to the US
- The story since
- MASTER CHOJUN MIYAGI AT THE MEETING IN 1936
- MEMORIES OF MY SENSEI, CHOJUN MIYAGI
- Genkai Nakaima
IOGKF Okinawa Goju Ryu lineage
Sensei Kanryo Higaonna (1853 to 1916)
Sensei Chojun Miyagi (1888 to 1953)
Sensei Miyagi Anichi(1931 to present)
Sensei Morio Higaonna (1938 to present)
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-te.
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 Sensei'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 and returned to Okinawa and told Miyagi Chojun Sensei about his encounter.
In order to promote his art as well as co-operate 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
(Hard Soft style) 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 make karate
popular 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 1940s 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's family still lives today.
From the beginning, Miyagi Chojun Sensei recognized karate as a valuable
social and cultural 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, the "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.
My Training with Master An'ichi Miyagi
by Master Morio Higaonna
I
began my training in Goju-ryu in April of 1955, when I was sixteen years
old. It was not my first introduction to karate, as I had been training
for two years in Shorin-ryu. My father was my first teacher, and had started
teaching me when I was fourteen. When I had turned fifteen, I started training
with Shimabukuro Sensei, who was teaching Shorin-ryu at the high school
karate club and who had trained in Goju-ryu for two years under Chojun Miyagi.
One day he told me of the intense power of Goju and encouraged me to have
a look, and so I walked down the three-minute path that led to Chojun Miyagi's
house and was introduced to the dojo by Kenji Kanashiro, a member of the
high-school club who was also training in Chojun Miyagi's garden dojo.
I liked what I saw at Chojun Miyagi's garden dojo and decided I must train
there. I returned soon afterward and joined the dojo. A man called Koshin
Iha was in charge of collecting dojo fees. I approached him, handed him
my training fees, and looked around the dojo as he was registering my name.
One young man made an instant impression on me. His offensive techniques
-- punching, striking, and kicking -- were lightening fast. His footwork
really stood out; his movements were swift and nimble, like a cat's, and
as he was moving, his techniques were executed with exquisite beauty; his
arms, palms, and fingers flowing in prefect rhythm with the rest of his
body.
"Who's that?" I asked, turning back to Koshin.
"That's An'ichi Miyagi," he said, pointing to him. "He's the most knowledgeable.
Go and learn from him."
Practice would start at seven in the evening. At about six-thirty, I was
usually the first to arrive. I would enter the dojo from the back and, after
greeting Chojun Miyagi's wife, would begin to clean the dojo, sweeping the
ground and sprinkling water over it to prevent dust from rising during practice.
Chojun Sensei's wife always sat in the kitchen while I prepared the dojo.
Often, when I had finished, she would call me over and give me a mandarin
orange to eat, occasionally talking to me about Chojun Sensei, who had recently
passed away, or about the senior students of the dojo. Two things she repeated
often still resound in my head today. They were: "For those who practice
the martial arts, smoking is the worst thing for the body, so you must never
smoke," and "You should learn from An'ichi Miyagi."
AN'ICHI MIYAGI
An'ichi
Miyagi was born in Naha on February 9, 1931. He lost both parents during
WWII and, at the age of fourteen, was left to provide for his two younger
brothers, obtaining employment at the Kadena military base. He and his two
brothers lived a five-minute walk from Chojun Miyagi's home.
An'ichi learned of Chojun Miyagi from a friend who worked at the base and
became interested in studying karate. Together with three other friends,
he went to Chojun Sensei's house to ask permission to learn from him. Having
received permission, An'ichi began his training under Chojun Miyagi on February
1, 1948, at the age of seventeen.
After the war, life on Okinawa was a constant struggle. Food was so scarce
that people had to work extra long hours to be ensured that they would have
enough to feed their families at night. Chojun Miyagi's senior students,
including Meitoku Yagi, Eiichi Miyazato and Genkai Nakaima, did not go to
Chojun Sensei's home to practice, but would stop by to visit on occasion.
An'ichi and his friends were the only people training at the garden dojo
during that period following the war.
The four students began their practice with junbi undo, going into heiko
dachi and exercising the toes and feet. Then they performed exercises to
develop strength in their legs, followed by stretching exercises, then repetitive
kicking drills, learning to snap their knees. They then moved on to exercises
to stretch the wrists, elbows and shoulders, and to warm up the joints.
Following that were torso stretches and neck exercises.
"You must practice junbi undo correctly and with great care," Chojun Sensei
would tell them. "If you practice this way, your punching and kicking techniques
will come easily. They will also facilitate the performance of kata."
Following junbi undo would be the hojo undo, using tools such as the chikara
ishi (chiishi). Then would come the makiwara, kakie and then the kata, Gekisai
Dai Ichi.
But the harsh conditions of the times weighed heavily on An'ichi's friends,
and after one year the three dropped out. An'ichi alone remained at the
garden dojo, practicing strenously while Chojun Sensei watched him like
a hawk.
Chojun Miyagi Sensei continued to teach karate at the police academy where
several senior students, such as Eiichi Miyazato, would divide their time
between judo and karate. But Miyagi Sensei would continue to teach An'ichi
everyday at his home. Chojun Sensei would sometimes grunt humorously at
An'ichi, saying, "Teaching you by yourself is more tiring than teaching
the group classes at the academy. There, I teach a big group, and all I
do is count. When I teach you, I am working constantly, correcting your
techniques and demonstrating for you. I become tense with frustration when
I see you perform techniques that you have not yet mastered. That becomes
tiring."
Now Chojun Sensei was sixty years old. He realized the development of Naha-te
had been the life's work of his teacher, Kanryo Higaonna, who in turn had
entrusted it to him. Now that he himself was approaching old age and death,
he felt that if all were lost, his teacher's entire life's work might not
survive. Chojun Miyagi was determined to pass the teachings on.
Often times, after training, An'ichi would relax and listen to Chojun Sensei
discourse at great length about history and technique. He often spoke of
heaven and earth, of yin and yang and the relationship of man to nature,
and of scientific and medical subjects. Then, sometimes he would become
quiet and eventually say to himself in reflection, "Ah, if only Jiru (Jin'an
Shinzato) were alive, then I could rest easily." Jin'an, An'ichi had learned,
was Miyagi's top student, but had died in the war. Miyagi had intended to
leave Goju-ryu in Jiru's hands.
For the next two years, from 1949 to 1951, An'ichi trained intensively everyday
at Chojun's garden dojo. Miyagi Sensei began giving An'ichi extra chores,
some that seemed to have no meaning. One typical example of these is that
one night he told An'ichi to come the next morning at 8 a.m. to move the
large and heavy garden stones from one side of his yard to the other. The
next day, he asked An'ichi to move them back, then several days later to
other areas of his yard. An'ichi realized later that Miyagi Sensei was observing
his personality, confirming his student's determination to get things done
properly.
Oftentimes, while training, Chojun Sensei performed the kata together with
An'ichi, performing kiai with passion thus bolstering An'ichi's spirits.
He also taught kata bunkai to An'ichi in great detail, and eventually went
far beyond the basics to show him the hidden techniques behind each movement.
After darkness fell, they would go into Chojun Sensei's house and continue
practice, with Chojun Sensei often talking great lengths of time about the
movements and their meanings. Then one night Chojun Miyagi confided to him.
"An'ichi," he said seriously, "I did not even teach Jiru in such detail.
I have passed the gokui (essense) of Goju-ryu to you. You must train hard
and value this treasure I have given to you."
The outbreak of the Korean War suddenly brought a great deal of extra activity
to the American bases on Okinawa. An'ichi's workload instantly increased
and at times he was not able to make practice in the evening. On one occasion,
he was absent for three consecutive days. Chojun Miyagi, became concerned
and visited An'ichi's home early in the morning. An'ichi awoke in the presence
of his teacher, and after hearing Chojun's concern, explained how busy he
had become. He then apologized for not letting Chojun Sensei know earlier.
Chojun Sensei, relieved that his best student would still carry on his training,
smiled, then scanned An'ichi's messy room and told him to clean it up.
In 1952, Chojun Miyagi began admitting other students to the dojo, including
Yuno Aragaki, Saburo Higa, Sosaburo Aniya, and An'ichi's younger brother
Mitsuhide who, at 12, was the youngest student there. An'ichi was now a
Sensei and would teach them junbi undo, basics, and kata, while Chojun Sensei
would watch and occasionally correct them.
This information was told to me during various conversations I had over
the years with Kina Seiko, Nakamoto Seijin, Iha Koshin, Bise Chishin and
Aragaki Shuichi Senseis, among many others. An'ichi Sensei himself never
volunteered this type of information to me, but after hearing it from so
many different sources I finally asked him if these stories were true. He
confirmed them. An'ichi Sensei is not the type to boast or brag and hardly
ever speaks about himself. Only after many years of training under him did
he come to trust me and even then, it was not until I had discovered his
relationship with Chojun Sensei through other sources and asked him directly,
did he tell me anything about it.
On October 7, 1953, An'ichi was the last to leave the dojo, bidding good
night to Chojun Sensei and his wife. The next morning at work, An'ichi's
coworker signaled him over. With a sombre voice, he said, "An'ichi, I have
just heard the news on the radio that your sensei has died." Shocked, An'ichi
bolted out of the building and ran directly to Chojun Miyagi's house. When
he arrived he saw standing outside Chojun Sensei's family, friends, other
students and teachers from different styles, and neighbors, all waiting
to go in to pay their last respects. At the age of twenty-two, An'ichi went
into his teachers house and said his last farewell to the great man.
After a few weeks had passed, the question of a successor to the dojo began
to arise. Chojun's senior students gathered at the house of Genkai Nakaima.
Present at this meeting were Seiko Kina, Meitoku Yagi, Jitsue Yogi, Eiichi
Miyazato and Koshin Iha, among other senior students. Nakaima suggested
that the leadership of the dojo should go to the most senior student; Seko
Higa. Eiichi Miyazato claimed that while training at the Police Academy,
Chojun Sensei had named him as his successor, and that he should take over
classes there too. The meeting ended without resolution. Sometime later,
Miyagi's widow visited the senior students and convinced them that Miyazato
was the most suited administratively to run the dojo. After a respectful
period of mourning, training resumed at the garden dojo. Eiichi Miyazato
became administrative director, Koshin Iha was in charge of bookkeeping
and An'ichi was the everyday instructor.
Two years later I joined the dojo. Under An'ichi's caring instruction, I
began to love Karate. His technique was superior and inspirational, compelling
me to train harder with the hope that some day I might be as good as he.
I also had the honor of practicing at Chojun Sensei's garden dojo for two
years, after which, with the support of all the students, Eiichi Miyazato
built a wooden indoor dojo in 1957, which he named the Jundokan.
I continued training at the Jundokan everyday with other students under
the guidance of An'ichi Miyagi Sensei. As a matter of fact, most of the
Jundokan senior members received their kata and bunkai training from An'ichi
Miyagi, including myself, Nanko Mine, Shichiya, Ryosei Aragaki and Shinzo
Chinen. Koshin Iha learned Suparinpei from An'ichi Sensei.
Gradually, differences grew in how the kata were to be performed. Then,
in 1959, under the financial pressure of having to support himself and his
two younger brothers, and tired of trying to resist changes in the kata,
An'ichi Miyagi Sensei left the Jundokan with an offer of better pay working
for a tanker company.
I continued training everyday at the Jundokan for one more year until in
1960, when I left Okinawa to attend university at Tokyo's Takushoku University.
While at university, I continued my training. I found a little dojo in the
crowded Yoyogi district and was asked by the man in charge to teach there.
I gladly accepted and began teaching there three days a week. The rest of
the story, I believe, you already know.
THE LION OF OKINAWA
An article written in the 1990's on Higaonna Morio Sensei
Okinawan
karate-do, or more correctly karate-jutsu, was once the deadly fighting
art of the Ryukyu Islands. Then a feared combative act, it is now Japan's
modern (verging on) Olympic Sport. But the modernists are today taking a
back seat, traditional karate is again in vogue, and the ancient masters
doors are being pounded upon by eager and keen students. Sport karate is
still in, but now the people want more - they want the real thing.
Enter one of the leading exponents of Goju-ryu karate in the world today,
Morio Higaonna. Higaonna is a quiet, reserved man - quiet with the confidence
of years of training and being the best that you could possibly be. -Reserved,
because this man has the "power". Higaonna's life is karate, and what he
doesn't know about the empty hand art you could write on a matchbox. Short
and powerfully built, Morio Higaonna is the epitome of a karate master instructor.
As a youth, the young Higaonna was fascinated by the empty hand fighting
arts of his native Okinawa. His father was a policeman and practitioner
of Shorin-Ryu karate, and occasionally he would teach a friend in their
home. The young Higaonna would diligently watch these training sessions
and would practice over and over again on his own what he had observed.
From his observation of the sessions he easily picked up the basics and
also remembered the kata (forms) he saw, which he would practice over and
over again. His father, recognizing his son's intense interest and dedication,
would sometimes invite him to come and train after one of these training
sessions had ended and his friend had left. Morio Higaonna was fast becoming
strong and powerful due to his diligent training of basics and kata.
Higaonna supplemented his training by developing his technique on the makiwara
(striking post) in the garden. The makiwara is famous in the development
of karate, or more correctly, Okinawan karate. The enthusiastic Higaonna
used it and used it, wearing it out with his continued pounding. His punch,
or tsuki, would later become famous around the world as his trademark.
Higaonna's formal training began when he joined the karate club at school.
The class was taught by Tsunetaka Shimabukuro, would was also a practitioner
of Shorin-ryu, although he did study and teach some Goju kata as well. Higaonna
would watch Shimabukuro and other friends perform Goju forms and he began
to develop and interest in the style.
The techniques displayed were powerful, yet flowing and subtle like the
techniques of the old masters he had heard about from China. This was the
kind of karate he wanted to learn. Goju-Ryu was to the young Higaonna his
idea of a total martial art.
Shimabukuro, sensing this and also believing that Goju was the strongest
style, encouraged his student to begin training in the Goju system. Together
with a friend, Higaonna went to the garden dojo of Miyagi Chojun, where
he began his training in Goju-Ryu under the tutelage of An'ichi Miyagi.
From that day on he started a lifelong devotion to Goju Ryu karate. It has
accumulated into more than 40 years of training. This is the story of a
modern Okinawan master, a practitioner and teacher of traditional karate-do.
The More You Went, The More You Learned.
At
the time when Higaonna began his training, there were no grading systems;
no yellow, green, brown or black belts. Everyone just went to the dojo and
trained. The training was important not only for the perfection of technique,
but for the development of one's character. What you wore to hold your trousers
up and how it looked were never a question. The senior practitioners instructed
and the younger students learned, and so the training went on. The more
you attended the more instruction you got; the more instruction you got
the better you became.
The karate of Goju Ryu was quickly taking up all of Higaonna's time. Day
and night he trained and when he wasn't training he was studying and learning
from anyone and everyone he could. Karate-do was his vocation in life and
the more he learned about Chojun Miyagi and the Goju Ryu system, the more
fascinated he became and the more intense his training and deeper his research.
Living in Okinawa, Higaonna had many opportunities to meet and discuss martial
arts with many senior instructors of various karate and (Okinawa) kobudo
(traditional weapons) systems as well as most of the surviving students
of Chojun Miyagi.
Higaonna also trained in kobudo, his specialty being the sai (sometimes
referred to as a "three pronged truncheon" - Editor). Higaonna trained hard
and often in the discipline of kobudo and reached a high degree of proficiency
with the sai. In addition to this, Higaonna Sensei holds a sandan (third
rank) in judo.
But of all the teachers he trained with, Master An'ichi Miyagi seemed to
Higaonna the one person who could answer the secrets of Goju Ryu. Higaonna
sensed a deep connection with master Chojun Miyagi through his teacher An'ichi
Miyagi (no relation to the founder) and he was learning more and progressing
faster than any of the other students.
An'ichi Miyagi had been an upper-level student (uchi deshi) of grandmaster
Chojun Miyagi in the last six years of Chojun's life and often stayed for
long hours at his home before and after training. In fact, An'ichi Miyagi
became more like a son to Chojun, spending most of his time there, not only
training, but also helping out with the chores, eating most of the meals
with the family, and so on. This meant longer and more personal instruction
in the Ryukyu karate system and a better understanding of Master Miyagi's
Goju Ryu.
An'ichi Miyagi's desire to train hard and long paid off and in the closed
door sessions with the Goju master he learned much more and had become one
of the best of Chojun Miyagi's student. In the first year of An'ichi Miyagi's
training, there were only four other people training, all white belts. All
of Chojun Sensei's former students were not training at this time since
it was after the war and everyone was struggling hard to get by and make
a living. Within the year all four other people had quit, leaving only An'ichi.
This continued for the next two years. Although other people came to Chojun
Sensei requesting his instruction, he would always refer them to other dojo,
preferring to concentrate on his one and only pupil.
In 1951 Ryuko Aragaki, who had been Chojun Miyagi's first instructor, brought
his grandson, Shuichi Aragaki, to Chojun Sensei's house and requested that
Miyagi admit him as a student. He did so out of the respect and fondness
he held for his first instructor and for the next year there were only two
students of Chojun Miyagi, An'ichi Miyagi and Shuichi Aragaki.
In 1952, Chojun Sensei finally gave in to the numerous requests of people
wanting to join the dojo, but gave the teaching responsibilities to An'ichi.
After the training sessions were finished and everyone had left, Chojun
would instruct An'ichi, not only in technique, but with long sessions of
history and philosophy as well.
An'ichi Miyagi could see in the young Higaonna the things he himself strove
for when he was a student. He taught Higaonna as he himself had been taught
and molded him in the tradition of Chojun Miyagi.
Travel Abroad
In
1960 Morio Higaonna left Naha to travel to Tokyo. His purpose was threefold:
he was accepted at Takushoku University (where he graduated with a degree
in commerce), to see Tokyo, and to spread Goju Ryu karate to the people
there.
The Shotokan style had an established karate club on campus, but because
of a terrible fight that one of its members was involved in, the university
banned all karate from its campus proper. Because of the ban, Higaonna began
teaching Goju Ryu soon after his arrival at the dormitory where he was quartered.
Higaonna quickly won favour among the students and developed a large following
because of his friendly personality and masterful technique.
Later, after graduation, Higaonna began teaching at other universities around
Tokyo and his reputation grew. His training sessions were fast becoming
too big for some of the universities' dojo and he decided to move to a more
permanent setting. He was invited by the owner of a karate dojo in the Yoyogi
district of Tokyo to teach, and thus the now famous Yoyogi Shurenkai Karate
Dojo was born.
The Yoyogi Dojo became the centre for Goju Ryu training in the world. The
foreign students who went through the Yoyogi Dojo read like a who's who
of the martial arts: James Rousseau, Hugh St. John Thompson, and Bakkies
Laubscher from South Africa; Ernie Brennecke from the United States; John
Jarvis and Dennis May from New Zealand; Dennis Martin from Great Britain;
and these are only the Goju Ryu students. Among other students are Terry
O'Neil, world champion and Fighting Arts International publisher, who has
left skin and blood on the well-used makiwara at the back of the dojo; and
even the French national team came to Yoyogi Dojo for a training session
with Higaonna during one of their visits to Japan.
During this time Higaonna's training and teaching became even more intense.
His Japanese students at that time included such notables as Iwao Abe, Kenzo
Nakagi, Yozo Ito, Tomiaki Tadano, Koichi Iwakawa, and Juichi Kokubo along
with the powerful Ken Ogawa, who were themselves also developing into excellent
karate-ka. Ogawa was considered one of the best Goju Ryu fighters in the
world and had developed a fearful reputation on the Tokyo karate scene.
He was unfortunately killed in a plane crash in the USA in the late 1970's.
Later notable students include Kazuo Terauchi and Tomoyuki Kato.
Higaonna's students were fast gaining stature in the tournament circuit
as well, with Terauchi and Iwakawa alternating the title of first place
champions in kumite (sparring) of the East Japan Championships for seven
years in a row. Terauchi was also kumite champion at the All Japan National
Championships (all styles) as well as taking first in the kumite event at
the 1981 World Goju Championships held in Okinawa. Kato is a two-time first
place winner at the All Japan National Goju Championships and also won first
place in mens kata at the 1981 Goju Championships; Hitomi Okada , who also
began her training under Higaonna Sensei at Yoyogi Dojo in the late seventies,
has won many competitions including first place in women's kata at that
same 1981 event and went on to win it again 10 years later at the First
IOGKF World Championships held in Okinawa in 1991, as well as taking first
place in women's kata in the multi-style international event organized by
Osamu Ozawa of Shotokan, which is held in Las Vegas annually.
The Spread of Goju, And Return to Roots
In 1979 Higaonna Sensei, along with his top Japanese and international
students, formed the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do Federation
(IOGKF), a world-wide organization dedicated to the promotion of traditional
Okinawan karate. Leaving the politics and money problems that plagued other
governing bodies behind them, the I.O.G.K.F's sole aim was the development
and promotion of traditional Goju Ryu karate around the world. To achieve
this Higaonna began traveling and teaching more regularly than he had in
the past. He realized that by traveling, more overseas students would benefit
from his direct communication and the strength of Goju Ryu in the western
world would grow even more.
In 1980 Higaonna Sensei married a beautiful American student, Alanna Stevens.
Higaonna's worldwide reputation was growing, but instead of expanding and
opening more and more dojos, he decided to go back home to his roots and
the source of traditional karate do, and in May of 1981 he and his wife
returned to Okinawa.
With the birth of his son Eric in November of that same year, the family
was now living above the dojo at Higaonna's mother's house. Now the young
karate master was back and Goju Ryu again had its power source in the home
of Goju Ryu karate, the Naha area of Okinawa.
Higaonna built his Honbu Dojo underneath the family house. It was a small,
well equipped training centre with every conceivable martial arts training
device, traditional and modern, there for the serious karateka.
Higaonna's is the dojo renowned for strong training spirit and excellent
technical capabilities of its students, including Takeyuki Kamimura, who
is also the teacher of World Goju Ryu Iri Kumi (full contact) Karate Middle
Weight Champion and Katsuya Yamashiro.
The Move to the US
Higaonna
Sensei remained in Okinawa until May of 1985, when he decided that he would
move back to Tokyo in order to make himself more accessible to both his
Japanese and international students. Unfortunately, the cost of living was
quite high in Tokyo and rents were astronomical. This, along with his ever
increasing international commitments brought him to the conclusion that
if he wanted to have a viable dojo where people could come and train, he
would have to make another move. In September of 1987 he and his family
moved to the San Diego area of California, USA.
Having settled into his new country and bridging the gap from traditional
to modern with comparative ease, he has built the Institute of Traditional
Karate in sunny San Marcos (in northern San Diego County). It wasn't long
after Higaonna Sensei had established himself on the US karate scene that
magazine articles and cover photos on some of the USA's top martial arts
periodicals followed. In keeping with his ideals of traditional karate,
he began hosting a number of excellent budo festivals in the US, namely
the Chojun Miyagi Memorial Martial Arts Festival (MCF), an annual event
that attracts instructors and students from all over the karate world.
In 1991, returning once more to the source, Higaonna Sensei hosted the first
IOGKF World Championships in Naha, Okinawa. They were a great success and
once again attracted a large number of contestants (33 countries in all
competed) and some very prominent martial arts instructors were in attendance,
giving various seminars during the week long gasshuku (training camp). The
event included masters from Shorin-ryu, Uechi-ryu, Shotokan and Okinawan
kobudo who, along with Higaonna and Shuichi Aragaki of Goju Ryu, brought
the traditional fighting arts alive over the five-day period.
Higaonna Sensei is dedicated to researching the history of and finding the
true roots of his life's work, Okinawan Goju Ryu. In his search he has traveled
a number of times to the birth place of the empty hand art, Fuzhou in Fukien
Province, southern China. Higaonna trained and held long hours of discussions
with prominent members of the Fuzhou Wushu Association and has a strong
belief that Goju Ryu origins may have stemmed from the White Crane boxing
system of southern China. During his visits there he also gave demonstration
of Sanchin kata, which Higaonna discovered is contained in many Chinese
styles as well.
Higaonna Sensei is now publishing an historical account of the culmination
of his research into the roots of Okinawan Goju Ryu, which will be the first
of its kind anywhere and an invaluable addition to the library of all serious
martial artists.
The modern era is here to stay, and the 1990's have brought an even more
hectic schedule, with Higaonna continually jetting, teaching and training
in every corner of the globe, including several new republics of the former
Soviet Union.
Luckily, his karate time is never limited and like his dojo training of
younger years, the training sessions today can become marathon events. The
best thing though is, as good a karateka as Higaonna is , he is also an
excellent teacher, a virtual "sensei's sensei". You will always learn from
this man, and his knowledge is never exhausted. His depth of understanding
is bottomless and that knowledge is not just on Goju Ryu karate, but also
the many different martial arts and fighting systems from around the world.
Higaonna has many successful students in both traditional and modern fighting
sports. The reason for their success the answer is always the same; a strong
traditional foundation. The 'source' of their learning is Morio Higaonna,
perhaps one of the greatest living karateka alive today. His teaching and
training would mold the true karate student into a complete martial artist.
His is an epitome of budo, and in his powerful hands lies the future of
Goju Ryu karate in the modern world.
Traditional karate today is very secure because its guardian is regarded
as a lion in a world of big cats in the martial arts jungle. Strong and
powerful, proud and regal, is like a 'lion' of Okinawa. As one of his longtime
students, who is also a former champion fighter said of him: "I now believe
in the words of Genesis. There were giants on the earth in those days. I
know, because you see, I've met one."
Terry P. Hill
The story since
Since
the writing of the Lion of Okinawa, Higaonna Sensei has returned his base
of operations to his home and dojo back in Naha, Okinawa. He still travels
the globe regularly to conduct seminars and Gasshuku's while spreading the
word of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do. To his credit, the IOGKF now has over
50,000 members in over 50 countries around the world.
1998 saw many IOGKF members journey to Naha, for the IOGKF Okinawan Budosai
and World Championships. During these ceremonies, Higaonna Sensei was presented
with a certificate by a representative of the Japanese organization working
towards getting karate admitted into the Olympics. This certificate appointed
Higaonna Sensei as their representative from Okinawa in their efforts to
get karate recognized as an Olympic sport. Though he graciously accepted
the certificate, Higaonna Sensei politely but firmly declined the position.
He stated that, in his opinion, the entrance of karate into the Olympics
would be the death knell of this art. He further clarified that the kata
is the very heart and soul of the art, and that any changes made to them
in order to comply with rules of competition would completely and utterly
destroy the age old history and meaning of the art. He got a standing ovation
from the entire house, students and audience alike. An IOGKF tournament
has never taken place on Okinawa since.
In 2000, the world Chief Instructors Gasshuku was held in Cairns, Australia,
bringing chiefs and seniors from all over Europe, South Africa and the Asian
pacific region to Australia.
In the 2004 he held the highly successful IOGKF Okinawan World Budosai in
Naha. The event had over 700 participants from many different countries
around the world. Aided by his teachers, Miyagi Anichi Sensei and Aragaki
Shuichi Sensei, along with his senior students, the event proved the strength
of the IOGKF and the future of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-Do.
2006 brought members to Niagra falls in Canada, where the MCF and 4th IOGKF
World Championships was held. The event boasted about 500 participants.
Later the same year at the Chief Instructors Gasshuku in Okinawa, Miyagi
Anichi Sensei present Higaonna Sensei with his own belt, in front of his
most senior students. The only time Miyagi Sensei has ever done this.
2007 recorded a rare honour for the Karate world, when Higaonna Sensei was
presented with his 10th Dan certificate by his teacher Miyagi Anichi Sensei
and Aragaki Shuichi Sensei. Along with this the two Masters presented Higaonna
Sensei with a certificate that names him as the official heir to the style
in the direct line to Miyagi Chojun Sensei.
2008 will brings members to Naha, Okinawa to celebrate the 120th Birthday
of Miyagi Chojun Sensei with a large scale Budosai. The event is set to
become the biggest in IOGKF history - with over 1000 participants expected
to come to the Budokan for training.
Today Higaonna Sensei still practice's daily and is driving force for Goju-ryu
Karate-do in the World. He is assisted by very his able senior students.
Nakamura Tetsuji Sensei, is incharge of all administrative duties and is
Higaonna Sensei personal translator and one of his closest disciples. Along
with this are IOGKF Vice Chairmen, Sensei Bakkies Laubscher and Kazuo Terauchi
Sensei among others. His son, Eric Higaonna, has also become a very impressive
and powerful Karate-ka.
He is as humble as any man could be and treats all people equally. A man
belonging to a very small group who can with justification claim the title
of Master of Karate.
MASTER CHOJUN MIYAGI AT THE MEETING IN 1936
During the the time of this meeting, Karate Masters and the respective
styles gathered in an attempt to organise Karate and make it one stronger
movement. This meeting record is a very interesting one as it shows the
development for the decision of Karate-do being written with the Kanji it
is today. It also gives us a preview to the decision to create new Kata
to suit school students and make the average person stronger, which happened
in 1940 when Chojun Sensei, as the senior instructor, was left to create
Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni Kata's.
-This is a part of the meeting records. It appears as an appendix in the
book, "Karatedo Dai Hokan" written by Kanken Toyama. Pages 377-392 (Tsuru
Shobo, 1960).
(translated by Sanzinsoo)
"The Meeting of Okinawan Karate Masters"
Time and Date: 4:00 pm, October 25, 1936
Place: Showa Kaikan Hall, Naha, Okinawa
This meeting was held by Ryukyu Shinpo Newspaper Publisher
Those who attended the meeting are as follows.
Karateka:
Chomo Hanashiro, Chotoku Kyan, Choki Motobu, Chojun Miyagi, Juhatsu Kyoda,
Choshin Chibana, Shinpan Shiroma, Chotei Oroku, Genwa Nakasone
Guests:
Koichi Sato, Zenpatsu Shimabukuro, Kitsuma Fukushima, Eizo Kita, Chosho
Goeku, Gizaburo Furukawa, Sei Ando, Choshiki Ota, Kowa Matayoshi, Zensoku
Yamaguchi, Tamashiro
Kanji
used today for Karate
Genwa Nakasone: When karate was first introduced in Tokyo, the capital of
Japan, "karate" was written in Kanji (= Chinese character) as "Chinese Hand".
This name sounded exotic, and gradually accepted among people in Tokyo.
However, some people thought this Kanji "Chinese Hand" was not appropriate
at schools. In order to avoid the use of this Kanji, some karate dojo wrote
"karate" in Hirakana (= Japanese phonetic letters) instead of Kanji. This
is an example of temporary use of the word. In Tokyo, most karate dojo use
the Kanji "Empty Hand Way" for karate-do, although there are still a few
dojo using the Kanji "Chinese Hand." In order to develop Japanese martial
arts, I think Kanji for "karate" should be "Empty Hand" instead of "Chinese
Hand" and "Karate-Do" should be the standard name. What do you think?
Chomo Hanashiro: In the old days, we, Okinawan people, used to call it "Toodii"
or "Tode", not "Karate." We also called it just "Tii" or "Te." It means
fighting with hands and fists.
*Translator’s note
Pronunciation for the Kanji written as "Chinese Hand" has two ways:
1) Toodii or Tode (Okinawan dialect)
2) Karate
Pronunciation for the Kanji written as "Empty Hand" has only one:
1) Karate
Ota: We, too, called it "Toodii" or "Tode."
Shimabukuro: Mr. Nakasone, I hear nowadays people call "Karate-Do" for karate.
Does this mean people added the word "Do" (= literally means the Way) to
the name "Karate" for emphasizing the importance of spiritual training like
Judo and Kendo?
Nakasone: They use the word "Karate-Do" in the meaning of cultivation of
the mind.
Ota: Mr. Miyagi, do you use the word "Chinese Hand" for karate?
Miyagi
Chojun Sensei
Chojun Miyagi: Yes, I use the Kanji "Chinese Hand" as most people do so.
It has minor meaning. Those who want to learn karate from me come to my
home and say "Please teach me Tii or Te." So I think people used to call
"Tii" or "Te" for karate. I think "Karate" is good in the meaning of the
word. As Mr. Shimabukuro said, the name "Jujutsu" was changed to "Judo."
In China, in the old days, people called Hakuda or Baida for Chinese kungfu,
Kenpo or Chuanfa (= Quanfa). Like those examples, names changes according
to times. I think the name "Karate-Do" is better than just "Karate." However,
I will reserve decision on this matter, as I think we should hear other
people's opinions. We had a controversy on this matter at the meeting of
Okinawa Branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai. We shelved this controversial problem.
In the mean time, we, members of Okinawa Branch, use the name "Karate-Do"
written in Kanji as "The Way of Chinese Hand." Shinkokai (= a karate promotion
center) will be formed soon, so we would like to have a good name.
Oroku: Mr. Miyagi, did you go all the way to China for studying karate?
Chojun Miyagi: At the beginning I had no plan to practice kungfu in China,
but I found the kungfu excellent, so I leaned it.
Oroku: Have there been our own "Te" here in our prefecture, Okinawa, for
a long time?
Chojun Miyagi: There have been "Te" in Okinawa. It has been improved and
developed like Judo, Kendo and boxing.
Kyoda Juhatsu: I agree to Mr. Nakasone's opinion. However, I am opposed
to making a formal decision right now at this meeting. Most Okinawan people
still use the word "Chinese Hand" for karate, so we should listen to karate
practitioners and karate researchers in Okinawa, and also we should study
it thoroughly at our study group before making a decision.
Chojun Miyagi: We do not make a decision immediately at this meeting.
Matayoshi: Please express your opinion honestly.
Chomo Hanashiro: In my old notebooks, I found using the kanji (= Chinese
character), "Empty Hand" for karate. Since August 1905, I have been using
the kanji "Empty Hand" for karate, such as "Karate Kumite."
Goeku: I would like to make a comment, as I have a relation with Okinawa
branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai. Karate was recognized as a fighting art
by Okinawa branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai in 1933. At that time, Master
Chojun Miyagi wrote karate as "Chinese Hand." We should change his writing
"Chinese Hand" into "Empty Hand" at Okinawa branch if we change the Kanji
into "Empty Hand." We would like to approve this change immediately and
follow procedure, as we need to have approval of the headquarters of Dai
Nippon Butokukai.
Ota: Mr. Chomo Hanashiro is the first person who used the kanji "Empty Hand"
for karate in 1905. If something become popular in Tokyo, it will automatically
become popular and common in other part of Japan. Maybe Okinawan people
do not like changing the kanji (= Chinese character) of karate. But we would
be marginalized if the word "Chinese Hand" is regarded as a local thing,
while the word "Empty Hand" is regarded as a common name for karate as a
Japanese fighting art. Therefore we had better use the word "Empty Hand"
for karate.
Nakasone: So far the speakers are those who have been living in Okinawa
for a long time. Now I would like to have a comment from Mr. Sato, the director
of the School Affairs Office. He came to Okinawa recently.
Sato: I have almost no knowledge about karate, but I think the word "Empty
Hand" is good, as the word "Chinese Hand" is groundless according to the
researchers.
Furukawa: The kanji written as "Empty Hand" is attractive for us who came
from outside Okinawa, and we regard it as an aggressive fighting art. I
was disappointed when I saw the kanji "Chinese Hand" for karate.
Nakasone: This time, I would like to have a comment from Mr. Fukushima,
the Lieutenant of the Regimental Headquarters.
Fukushima: The kanji "Empty Hand" for karate is appropriate. The kanji "Chinese
Hand" for karate is difficult to understand for those who do not know karate.
Ota: There is no one who do not like the word "Empty Hand" for karate, but
there are people who do not like the word "Chinese Hand" for karate.
Chojun Miyagi: Well, when I visited Hawaii, Chinese people there seemed
to have friendly feeling toward the word "Chinese Hand" for karate.
Group Photo for Chojun Sensei's visit to Hawaii to teach Karate for a
year
Shimabukuro: Here in Okinawa, we used to call "Tii" or "Te" for karate.
To differentiate from it, we called "Toodii" or "Tode" for karate that was
brought from China.
Nakasone: I think we have almost made clear about the name of karate. Now
we would like to discuss about the promotion of karate. It is regrettable
that karate is no popular in Okinawa at present. We need to find a solution
to promote karate in the fields of physical education and martial arts education.
Furukawa: There are a lot of Ryu or styles in karate now. I think we have
to unify them at any cost. I hear there are small differences between Shuri
style karate and Naha style karate. I think both styles should be unified
and we should make Kata of Japanese Karate-do. In the old days, we had about
200 styles of Kendo (= swordsmanship), but now they have been unified and
we have the standard Kata of Japanese Kendo. I think karate would become
popular all over the country if we had the unified Kata. For example, we
can newly establish ten Kata as Japanese Karate. The name of each Kata should
be changed into Japanese, such as Junan-No-Kata (soft and stretch kata),
Kogeki-No-Kata (= offensive kata) and so on. In this way, we can conform
the name of Kata to its content. And I also think we should make karate
a competitive sport, so we should study how to hold a game of karate. We
would like to make a uniform of karate and standardize contents and forms.
Chojun Miyagi: I agree to your opinion. With regard to Kata of karate, I
ever submitted the opinion with explanation to the headquarters of Dai Nippon
Butokukai (= national fighting arts association), when its Okinawa branch
was established. As to karate clothes, we also would like to make karate
uniform soon as we often have problems. As for terminology of karate, I
think we will have to control it in the future. I am also advocating it,
and I have been making new technical words and promoting them. Regarding
Kata, I think traditional Kata should be preserved as old or classic Kata
For the nationwide promotion of karate, I think we had better create new
Kata. We will create both offensive and defensive Kata which are suitable
for students of primary schools, high schools, universities and youth schools.
Mainly, we, the members of Shinkokai (= karate promotion association), will
make new Kata and promote them throughout Japan. Now there are Physical
Education Association and Okinawa Branch of Butokukai. We also have senior
students of karate and those who are interested in karate. We, therefore,
cooperate with them to study and promote karate. If such organizations and
experts study karate thoroughly, we can make a decision about the karate
name issue and karate uniform relatively soon. I think the old Kata should
be preserved without any modification while new Kata should be invented,
otherwise I am convinced that no one will be interested in karate any longer
in the world in the future.
Ota: How many karate organizations are there in Okinawa at present?
Chojun Miyagi: There are Okinawa Branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai, Physical
Education Association of Okinawa Prefecture and Physical Education Association
of Shuri City.
Ota: Mr. Chibana, how many students do you have now at your karate dojo?
Choshin Chibana: I have about 40 students at my karate dojo.
Chojun Miyagi: There is an opinion insisting that there are two Ryu or styles
in karate, namely, Shorin-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu. I think such an opinion is
wrong or false, as there is no evidence at all. However, if we have two
styles in karate, we can categorize them by their teaching methods. In one
style, they do not even differentiate between Fundamental Kata (= Kata such
as Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi) and Kaishu Kata (= Kata other than Sanchin,
Tensho and Naifanchi). They teach karate unsystematically and unmethodically.
In the other style, they differentiate between Fundamental Kata and Kaishu
Kata clearly. They teach karate systematically and methodically. My teacher
(= Master Kanryo Higaonna) taught me karate in the way of the latter.
Ota: Karate masters we know did not go to China to study karate.
Chojun Miyagi: I have heard that Master Matsumura went to China and practiced
karate there.
Choshin Chibana: Our teacher taught us Naifanchi as a Fundamental Kata.
Ota: Mr. Motobu, who taught you karate?
Choki Motobu: I learned karate from Master Itosu, Master Sakuma and Master
Matsumora of Tomari village.
Ota: I thought you created your own karate on your own without learning
from karate masters.
Choki Motobu: (laughing) No, I did not create my karate on my own.
Nakasone: Now we know every karate masters have agreed to the plan to establish
a karate promotion association. As Mr. Furukawa told us the necessity of
founding a karate promotion association, we think the other people also
seem to agree to this plan. So we would like the members to start the preparation
for establishing it.
MEMORIES OF MY SENSEI, CHOJUN MIYAGI
Remarks: This is a part of the original article "Chojun Miyagi the Karate Master. His kindness is infinite. He preaches morality." written by Mr. Genkai Nakaima* which appeared in the local monthly magazine "Aoi Umi" No.70 February 1978 issue (pages 99-100) published by Aoi Umi Shuppansha. That special issue featured Okinawan karate masters. The magazine was already discontinued. I translated only a part of the article.
(translated by Sanzinsoo)
It was Spring in 1923, I was 15 years old, when I told my father that
I was going to learn karate from Miyagi Sensei (= Master Chojun Miyagi).
He said to me "It's great if you learn from Bushi Miyagushiku (=Miyagi the
Karate Master)!" and gave me permission. At that time Miyagi Sensei was
already famous for his karate, so my father thought he was an ideal teacher
for me.
We, Kumemura community people in Okinawa, were proud of Chinese lineage.
We believed our ancestors came from China to Okinawa, so we highly respected
not only Chinese literary arts but also fighting arts. As to literary arts,
we established a school, "Meirindo" which was something like a college today,
where the youth were educated. As for fighting arts such as karate and Bo
(=staff fighting), I think we practiced individually in accordance with
each physical strength and other conditions.
According to a program of the cultural festival at "Meirindo" school, there
were performances of Bo (=staff fighting), Tesshaku or Tiechi (=Sai), "Sesan",
"Chishokin", "Tohai" and "Suparinpe". Most performances of karate were the
same as what Miyagi Sensei had taught us.
Chojun Sensei (right) performing correcting a students Sanchin Kata
Well, lessons by Miyagi Sensei began. We had lessons three times a week,
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, after school from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Miyagi
Sensei's home, not at Dojo (=a training hall) like these days. Some time
later, quitted my classmate, Bunshun Tamagusuku whose uncle was a famous
karateka Jin-an Shinzato, so remained three members: Tatsutoku Sakiyama
whose family name at that time was Senaha, Kiju Nanjo whose family name
was Azama at that time, and myself.
The process of our training consists of the preparatory exercises, the supplementary
exercise and the foot movements of Sanchin.
According to the explanation of Miyagi Sensei about the preparatory exercise,
by doing physical exercise, we can prepare for the formal karate training
such as Sanchin and other Kata exercise. It also has an element as a warm-up.
Another meaning of the preparatory exercise is building up our physical
strength by training all the necessary muscles so that we can use the muscles
in any situation. In short, we build up karate body by the preparatory exercise.
The supplementary exercise is a kind of training mainly for learning basic
technical components of Kata. It helps us to understand science and logic
of karate, and at the same time, our skill of karate will be created with
the development of our athletic ability and physical strength.
In this way, we can lay the foundations for karate by doing the preparatory
exercise and the supplementary exercises.
Miyagi Sensei told us various stories for two or three hours after the practice was over.
The topics of his stories were not only technical matters of karate but also the general world affairs, the present situation of karate circles, the origin of karate, his studying attitude toward karate and Buddhism, karate and Okinawan traditional performing arts, and so on.
At that time we were just junior high school boys, but Miyagi Sensei preached to us about the truth of karate, the soul of karate master, the Way of karate, namely the Way of man or morality.
I still remember his bright face with sharp eyes in which I find the true karate master's love and kindness.
Now I will tell you some of Miyagi Sensei's words as follows. "If you practice only Sanchin all your life, you do not have to practice any other Kata. Sanchin is so essential and important." One day I asked him, "How many times do you practice Sanchin to think that you performed well?" He replied, "I think I performed Sanchin well only once out of 30 times practices." At that time he was young, 34 or 35 years old. His words are still impressive to me.
"The hand position at the ending of Sanchin is the same as that of a Buddha statue." Miyagi Sensei often told us this story. I think the hand position at the ending of Sanchin is the most beautiful expression of praying. In fact I saw the same hand position of Buddha statues in some temples.
"Goju is the willow tree blown by the strong wind," said Miyagi Sensei. The strong wind blows the willow. The willow never resists the wind, just remains passive, but will never be broken or destroyed. In this way we take advantage of the opponent's strength flow. It is a secret of the arts that we have to master through the practice.
I think it was 1926 when the National Athletic Meeting was held at the Outer Garden of the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo. Miyagi Sensei's disciple, Mr. Jin-an Shinzato participated in the Meeting to perform karate as a classical fighting arts. At that time he was suddenly asked by an official of the Meeting, "What is your style's name?" then he replied "Goju-ryu style." Later he explained this matter to Miyagi Sensei and Miyagi Sensei approved it. Since then we call ourselves Goju-ryu.
I asked, "Sensei, do you have eyes in the back of your head? They say that even if we follow you secretly and quietly, you immediately notice us and turn around quickly to find us." Miyagi Sensei replied, "There is no one who have eyes in the back of his head. However, when I walk along the road, in some cases I feel something strange. I think it is the so-called sixth sense."
We should always be cautious when we turn at the corner of a road, walk along a rainy street and climb up and down a ladder etc. It will become useful for self-defense if we have practiced karate sufficiently hard and are accustomed to being cautious. As the result of a long time training of karate, we can obtain the so-called sixth sense and can notice if someone is following.
"Studying karate nowadays is like walking in the dark without a lantern. We have to grope our way in the dark." said Miyagi Sensei. He also told me, "There are so many things in karate which does not make sense and there are a lot of things I cannot understand. Therefore, while our grand masters are still alive, we have to see them and ask many questions. I think it is still very difficult to find the answers even if we did so." I ever went with him to homes of the grand masters, Chomo Hanashiro Sensei and Itosu-No-Tanmee (=Itosu the Old Master) to hear their stories of karate.
GENKAI NAKAIMA
Genkai Nakaima was born on the 23rd of May 1908 and died on the 17th
of November 1984. He was a senior student of Miyagi Chojun Sensei before
the war. Nakaima was also a practitioner of Okinawan dance and worked hard
to promote the art in Okinawa. He was what the Okinawan people called "Gaaju
no hito" which means one who possess a strong spirit and never gives up.
He practiced Sanchin Kata with great diligence and would often perform squats
and other exercises such as furi sute more than 1000 times without pausing.
Chojun Sensei would sometimes challenge his students to see who could perform
the most of these exercises and Nakaima would usually outlast his fellow
students.
After the war Nakaima would come and visit Chojun Sensei at his home and
would sit and talk at length. Nakaima was concerned for Chojun Sensei as
Okinawa was suffering many shortages at the time, due to the aftermath of
the war. He suggested ways to promote Karate. He even offered to organise
a demonstration for Chojun Sensei, suggesting that all the profits could
go to him for his livelihood. Chojun Sensei declined the offer. Later Chojun
Sensei explained to Anichi Sensei that it was alright to do demonstrations
for Martial Arts events and Schools but that he did not like the idea of
demonstrating for financial gain.
