The schools of Goju-Ryu are based on the Katas from the school of Kanryo Higashionna of Naha-te. The original Katas were supplemented by Chojun Miyagi with the two Gekisai Katas as well as the Tensho Kata. It is certain that Chojun Miyagi created the Tensho Kata, probably based on his studies of the Rokkishu Kata. In addition, he created the two Gekisai Katas. There are two versions of the Sanchin Kata, one with open hands and one with closed hands. The latter was developed to make it easier for students to achieve the high isometric tension of the Kata. The Taikyoku Katas were not part of traditional Goju-Ryu.

Taikyoku Gedan Taikyoku Chudan Taikyoku Jodan Taikyoku Kake Uke Taikyoku Mawashi Uke Gekisai Dai Ichi Gekisai Dai Ni

Sanchin Saifa Sanseiru Seienchin Seisan Shisochin Seipai Kururunfa Suparimpei Tensho

Sanchin Saifa Sanseiru Seienchin Seisan Shisochin Seipai Kururunfa Suparimpei

Original Kata of Naha-te von Kanryo Higashionna

Anker History of Goju-Ryu Goju-Ryu originates from the Karate of the Higashionna School from Naha. Kanryo Higashionna was the most important master of Okinawan Naha-te. One of his students was Chojun Miyagi. Although Higa Seiko was regarded as the stylistic heir of the Higashionna School, it was Chojun Miyagi who had a lasting influence on Naha-te. He thus developed the Kata Tensho, which is today associated with Naha-te and forms the counterpart to Sanchin. Just like Gichin Funakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni, Chojun Miyagi went to Japan to teach his karate there. He chose Osaka for this, the city where Kenwa Mabuni also lived. Like Chojun Miyagi, Kenwa Mabuni was a student of Kanryo Higashionna. And indeed, it is documented that there was friendship and collaboration between the two masters. From Shito-Ryu sources, it is known that Mabuni's karate was initially also called Goju-Ryu. And when Chojun Miyagi developed the Tensho and demonstrated it to Mabuni, he also adopted it into his school. As fundamental Katas for the beginning of karate lessons, Miyagi also developed the Katas Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni. There is also a tradition regarding the origin of the name Goju- Ryu. According to this, a student of Chojun Miyagi represented him during a demonstration in front of Japanese martial arts experts. After demonstrating Naha-te, he was asked for the name of his school. Since Miyagi had not yet given a name to his school at that time, his student spontaneously invented the name Hanko-Ryu, which means 'half-hard.' Since Naha-te is neither hard nor soft, in this sense neither heavy nor light, but includes both, the designation 'half-hard' was already fairly close to the nature of Naha-te. It is said that Miyagi, based on these considerations, created the name Goju-Ryu. However, it is also said that Mabuni initially called his karate Goju-Ryu, so it can be assumed that at that time there was no distinct naming separation between Mabuni's and Miyagi's schools. In fact, Mabuni's school, aside from the Taikyoku Kata, includes the complete system of today's Goju-Ryu. Even before the Second World War, Gogen Yamaguchi met Chojun Miyagi and was deeply impressed by his karate. Gogen Yamaguchi dedicated his life to spreading Goju-Ryu and continued Miyagi's work after his return to Okinawa. In doing so, Gogen Yamaguchi became more internationally renowned than the style's founder, Chojun Miyagi, himself. However, this may have also reflected Miyagi's own mentality. It is known that after the Second World War, he lived very reclusively in a village, taking on simple tasks without revealing that he was the karate master Chojun Miyagi. Only when he was recognized did he give up this reclusiveness. This suggests that Miyagi was a humble person who did not value fame. This aligns with the old philosophy of Karate Do. On the other hand, the fame that Gogen Yamaguchi gained through his charisma, combined with the stories of battles and captivity during the war, was very helpful for the worldwide spread of Goju-Ryu. Because of his legendary fighting skills and style, Yamaguchi was also called 'the Cat.' Yamaguchi cared so much about spreading Goju-Ryu that he gave his three sons names that have a philosophical connection to Goju-Ryu. After Yamaguchi's death, however, there were also splits in Goju- Ryu. And so today there are various schools of Goju-Ryu, sometimes under the names Goju-Kai and Goju-Kan. And even in Okinawa, where normally only traditional names are used, the designation Goju-Ryu is used. One of the most capable masters of Okinawa Goju-Ryu and Okinawa Kobudo today is Morio Higaonna.

Goju-Ryu