The history of Goju Ryu can be
traced back to a man named Master Kanryo Higashionna, approx. 1840-1910, known
as the "Fist Saint of Naha". Naha city in Okinawa was thriving with martial arts
activity in the 1850's. Along with practitioners from the towns of Tomari and
Shuri, the Naha karatekas were laying the groundwork for the development of
modern karate-do and kobudo (weaponary). But although higashionna began his
training here, the true seeds of Goju were not planted in okinawa but in China.
Kanryo Higashionna went to China and studied there under a man by the name of
Master Woo (Ru in Japanese), who was a practitioner of Chinese boxing.
Higashionna trained under Master Woo for approximately 15 to 20 years. On his
return to Okinawa he combined his native fighting system with the Chinese system
and became the father of Naha-te (Fist of Naha). It didn't take long before his
fame spread throughout the island and students started to come to him for
tutelage. Among them was a student by the name of Chojun Miyagi.
CHOJUN MIYAGI (1888-1953)
Chojun Miyagi born Miyagusuku (later changed
to Miyagi Chojun by the Japanese) was born in Naha as the son of a wealthy
businessman on April 25, 1888. Miyagi began his study in karate at the age of
nine. In his early teens he became the student of Master Kanryo Higashionna.
Under the tutelage of his Master, Miyagi underwent a very long and arduous
period of training. After the death of Master Kanryo Higashionna, Miyagi
traveled to the Fukien Province in China where he studied Zen as well as the
Martial Arts as his sensei before him had done. (Many styles of kung fu were
adapted to the originators' environment. North of China, for example, being very
hilly would develop the lower body making it stronger for kicking. Whereas
Southern China, covered with bodies of water, developed the upper body through
rowing and such).
In China he studied the shaolin and pa kua forms of
Chinese Boxing. From the blending of these systems, -one the hard/external form
of shaolin, the other the soft circular/internal form of pa kua and his native
Naha-te a new system emerged. However, it was not until 1929 that Chojun Miyagi
named the system Goju Ryu, meaning hard soft style. The name was inspired by the
`eight precepts' of traditional Chinese Boxing, quote: Everything in the
universe breathes out (hard) and in (soft) ... etc. After the system of Goju Ryu
had taken shape, he felt the need for a symbolic insignia. He simply copied his
clenched fist (slightly crooked because of a previous injury). Blending the
strong snap techniques of the Okinawan style and the dynamic and free techniques
of the soft Chinese Kenpo, his style was complete. After some years in China,
Chojun Miyagi returned to Naha where he opened a DoJo (training hall). He taught
for many years, and even though Miyagi's reputation as a karate man was
enormous, his greatest achievements lie in the organization of karate teaching
methods. He introduced karate into schools and other fields of society. He
developed Kata Sanchin - the hard aspect of Goju, and created Kata Tensho - the
soft aspect. These kata's are considered to be the essence of the Goju style.
Chojun Miyagi was a man of extremely mild temperament and it is said that he was
a very humble man. He lived according to the principles of Martial Art's, that
of none violence. Master Miyagi died on Okinawa on October 8, 1953.
GRAND MASTER GOGEN YAMAGUCHI (1909-1989)
Gogen Yamaguchi was born on
January 20, 1909, in Kagoshima city on southern Kyushu. Already as a youngster
he showed great interest in the Martial Arts. During his early school days he
trained kendo, (Japanese fencing) and it was during this time that he started
his karate training under the tutelage of Mr. Maruta, a carpenter from Okinawa.
Mr. Maruta who was a Goju practitioner was drawn to the young Yamaguchi's
serious attitude and his willingness to train hard. Mr. Maruta taught Yamaguchi
all he knew about the Goju system.
During his college days as a law
student, Yamaguchi established his first karate club at the Ritsumeikan
University in Kyoto. Soon the DoJo became famous in the city, known for it's
hard training and fierce breathing exercise. In those days karate men practiced
only kata (formal movements) and yakusoku kumite (prearranged sparring) and were
unable to have matches between each other since they did not hold back their
techniques. It was during this period that Yamaguchi sensei made fundamental
changes in the Goju school that were to radically alter the course of karate.
After observing his students he came to the conclusion that the strict Okinawan
brand of karate, with its Chinese origins was too static and limited in style.
He believed that just the practice steps in sparring called kumite inhibited
many students, so he devised free style kumite or sparring at first along the
lines of boxing. After that it was a natural step of progression to go to free
style sparring. Later, the sparring or kumite underwent further transformation
using knowledge of the other martial arts to improve it still more. The first
stages towards what is known as jyu kumite (free fighting) and established rules
to decide the winner of a match. Some of the rules are still in use today in
what is known as sport or competition karate. By freeing karate from the strict
adherence to kata and the adaptations of the competitive element, Goju made
tremendous advances in the next few years.
In 1930, Masters succeeded in
their efforts to have karate admitted into the Butoku Kai, the official
government headquarters for the Japanese martial arts. That same year Goju
headquarters were established in Tokyo next to the famous Giho Kai Judo
Institute. Curious about the system, Yamaguchi sensei (sometimes called 'The
Cat') wrote to Miyagi and invited him to come to Japan. Miyagi accepted and left
shortly thereafter. In 1931, at the age of 22, Gogen Yamaguchi was introduced to
the founder of the Goju style, - Master Chojun Miyagi. This meeting proved to
have a profound affect upon Yamaguchi's outlook on karate. Previously he had
only considered the hard aspect of Goju but after his meeting with Master Miyagi
he was determined to train himself spiritually as well as physically. Master
Miyagi thought highly of Yamaguchi who seemed to have mastered the hard aspect
of Goju so well and gave him the nickname Gogen, meaning `Rough'. He then
appointed Gogen Yamaguchi as his successor of the Goju school in Japan.
During the years to follow Gogen Yamaguchi often spent long stays at
Mount Kurama where he subjected himself to ascetic exercises and hard training
with sanchin, meditation and fasting. Between 1938-1945 he was sent to Manchuria
on government and military assignments. On several occasions during his stay
there, he could thank his skills in karate and his mental training that he
stayed alive. During the Japanese-Russian war -1945 Yamaguchi was taken prisoner
of war and sent to a prison camp in Mongolia. He was kept there under harsh
conditions for two years. Once again his strength and skill were severely put to
the test. During all these years he still continued to train and develop
Goju-karate.
After his release and return to Japan, Yamaguchi became one
of the most exciting figures in karate history. Known throughout the world as
the `cat' because of his grace and speed in movement and because of his favorite
fighting stance which is called neko ashi dachi (cat stance).
From here
the Second World War came and ended, leaving servicemen from all parts of the
world training and taking the art back home, spreading Goju through a vast
network of DoJo's, in schools, offices, factories, etc.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
Master Yamaguchi's contributions to Goju-karate and
to karate in general have been enormous. Under his leadership the International
Karate-do Goju-kai Association I.K.G.A (kai means organization) emerged. The
organization has increased in popularity both in Japan and other Asian and
western countries around the world, today there are about 35 countries teaching
Goju-kai karate. Master Yamaguchi succeeded in uniting all the karate schools in
Japan into a single union, which resulted in the formation of The Federation of
All Japan Karate-do Organization F.A.J.K.O. in 1964. He added to the Goju system
the Taikyoku Kata forms, - training methods for the beginner students to prepare
them for the more advanced kata's.
In combining his religious practices
with karate training, he incorporated both Yoga and Shinto into Goju-kai karate
and founded in recent years Goju-Shinto. He states that both body and mind are
interrelated and through proper breathing and concentration we will be able to
understand the essence of the Martial Arts. This is the reason why the Goju
school uses the unique breathing exercise called ibuki. Concentrating all the
muscular strength at one point, bringing mind and body into a coherent
whole.
The Kokusai Budo Renmei - The International Martial Arts
Federation in Japan, whose chairman is Prince Higashikuni of the Japanese
Imperial Family has recently appointed Master Yamaguchi as Master of the
organizations karate division. Never before has a single man had such profound
effect on the development and propagation of karate-do. Master Gogen Yamaguchi,
10th Dan, a man of intense dedication and determination can truly be called the
last of the living karate legends. A master of Yoga and a Shinto priest, a man
that truly has united both aspects of go and ju into a concerted union. The Goju
system is a military system in that it was used all over the world and proven
itself to be the conqueror of arts all over the world hence you will see it
thrive in the home lands of other martial arts ie Thailand = Muay tai, Hong Kong
= kung fu, Brazil = capoiera and so on.
Chief Grand Master Peter Urban
History and Essence of U.S.A. GoJu-Ryu
U.S.A. GoJu karate is a style
based primarily on its Japanese counterpart. It is a beautiful style, combining
the hard, powerful techniques of Chinese Kempo karate with the soft, flowing
movements of White Crane kung-fu. In fact, translated literally, GoJu-Ryu means
"The way of hardness and softness." It is this delicate balance of power and
grace which makes GoJu so complete.
Grandmaster Peter Urban was born on
the 14th day of August in the year 1934, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Grandmaster
Peter Urban is the man who introduced GoJu karate to the United States. While
serving in the Navy, Sensei Urban studied under the great Japanese Grandmaster
Gogen Yamaguchi. After studying for many years, Sensei Urban decided to return
to the states and begin sharing his knowledge of GoJu. He began teaching in
1959, and because of some small changes and additions, he named his style
"U.S.A. Goju-Ryu."
The U.S.A. GoJu style of today is a mix of both
traditional GoJu and modern GoJu components. Kata, the most important aspect of
any style, is still taught in a traditional manner. Although some "martial arts
experts" think they have improved on traditional kata, by changing the forms
they are actually destroying the hidden rhythms and secret meanings held within.
In addition to the traditional kata taught, U.S.A. GoJu also adds three beginner
level forms, and two intermediate level forms. The beginner level forms evolved
from basic drills that were taught to Sensei Urban by Sensei Yamaguchi. The two
intermediate forms were created by Sensei Urban.
Kihon, or basic drills,
such as blocks, punches and kicks, are all taught the same as in traditional
GoJu. The main difference between traditional and U.S.A. GoJu is in the self
defense applications. Aiki Jitsu, the self defense techniques, constantly change
in order to remain effective in the modern world. As new situations are
encountered, new mechanisms must be created to properly deal with them. Some
traditional aiki jitsu is still taught, but it is in addition to the newer
techniques. Learning old and new techniques gives the student more tools to
handle a situation.
Personal Profile - Peter Urban
1953 - Personal uchi-deshi
(apprentice) to Master Richard Kim in Yokohama 1954 - Full time student of
Gogen Yamaguchi in Tokyo. 1955 - Student of Master Masatatsu Oyama in Tokyo.
1957 - Competes for Yamaguchi in all Japan Colliegate championships in
Tokyo. 1958 - Peter Urban marries wife Meiko In Japan. 1959 - Returns to
America. Establishes first Goju-Ryu Dojo in Union City, N.J. 1961 -
Propagates Yamaguchi,Oyama,and Kim names in the United States. 1962 - Chief
referee at Oyama's tournament in what may have been the first major USA
tournament. 1963 - Karate pioneer on the Tonight show, The Merv Griffin
Show, & the Long John Nebel Show. 1964 - Returns to Japan for further
study and research. 1965 - Incorporates the style name legally in New York.
1966 - First book, "The Karate Dojo" is published. It receives international
acclaim and becomes a Martial Arts Classic. 1967 - Opens famous "Chinatown"
Dojo. He leads the way for Martial Arts instructors to teach publicly in
America. 1968/1976 - Produced the careers of; William Louie, Anthony Lau,
Aaron Banks, Johnny Kuhl, Al Gotay, Joe Lopez, Thomas Boddie, Ed Verycken,
Bill Liquori, Lou Angel, Ron Van Clief, Ric Pascetta,and Vincent DeMarco.
1977 - Establishes U.S.A. Goju colony in Italy. First European installation
of this style. 1987 - Receives the first of several Doctorates,in
Metaphysics. 1996 - Peter Urban was awarded the following greatest honor of
all honors from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council by Dr. Frank E.
Sanchez of Florida : To: Maestro Peter Urban - America's Greatest Writer -
And Goju Sensei-Laureate. This is Urban's most treasured professional social
credit above all else in his lifetime.
Grand Master Major Leon Wallace
Personal Profile – Major Leon Wallace
1959 – Studied Judo under
Nishibioshi at his 34th street Kotokan Dojo 1962 – began his Studies under
Peter Urban at his 18th street Imperial Dojo GOJU 1962 – Received his first
trophy which was presented by Bruce Lee at Madison Square Garden 1965 –
Studied Ninjitsu under Ronald Duncan, Aikido under Yumato Sensei and Jujitsu
under a marine named Nelson 1968 – Started his first Dojo The Apple Town Dojo
(3rd Dan)
