Gogen Yamaguchi (The Cat)

Nobody since to know how he got the name. Maybe because he walk so softly in the dojo they never knew when he was behind them.The Cat who real name was Gogen Yamaguchi, was the head of the famous Goju School of Karate. Coming out of the Manchurian prison camp after World War II, he picked up a reins of struggling school and built it into a powerful, sprawling karate empire. Yamaguchi died in 1989.  This descendent of samurai was one of the most complex figures of striding the world karate stage and a bundle of contradictions. Strong believer in of calm and meditation. Head of the one of the world largest karate organization.

Master Yamaguchi was a fanatic when it comes to karate. He was was really a small man, slightly taller than five feet. But always gave the impression of a great bulk and solemnity. His 160 pounds were well spread over his powerful frame. Yamaguchi studied law and was a medical doctor.  He was born in Kyushu in 1907. When his family moved to Kyoto at the age of 14 or 15 he started studding karate,  but became a 5th degree black belt in judo first. It wasn't until college that he became studying karate under Chojun Miyagi head of the school then.

In one occasion Yamaguchi wrote to Miyagi and invited him to come to Japan. The meeting of both was to be a fateful one, not only for Goju but for all of karate as well. Miyagi came to Naha, where the development of karate had taken a separated path.  Back then the emphasis was more on the hard approach. With Miyagi and Goju the softness took and equal precedence with the hard.  Indeed the world Goju means hard and soft. Once Yamaguchi saw Miyagi's style he fell in love with the system. Yamaguchi's  future was sealed.  He concentrated on the study of Goju excluding almost everything else. Miyagi awarded Yamaguchi the highest rank in Goju and made him head of school in Japan.

Yamaguchi created the first karate school in Ritsumeikan  University and the first karate dojo in the western. With his leadership the school started to spread across the Island. Early in Japan he introduced kumite to the system, it was him the first one in introducing the tournament and the competitive aspect of karate. For all his dedication to karate and Goju he is known as the most important figure in spreading the Goju system all over the world.
     

GOJU RYU FIST" modeled after Master Chogun Miyagi
 
 

    GICHIN FUNAKOSHI: 

The man who introduced karate to Japan. Was a native from Okinawa.  For centuries the okinawans lived and independent and peaceful live. By 1600 the Japanese invade and took control of the Island. The training of karate and kobujutsu was banned from the Island of Okinawa and it had to take place in secret. A premature baby he was not spected to live. Funakoshi studied mostly under Master Azato and Master Ankoh Itosu. Under Itosu Funakoshi expend ten years mastering only three katas.  Because his dedication he had the opportunities to studied under several other instructors and great masters. Including Sokon Matsamura chief of the martial arts and bodyguard of the king.

In 1917 Funakoshi was invited to give a demonstration in Kyoto Japan. It was the first time that karate had been formally presented outside Okinawa. Four years later Funakoshi was invited to gave another demonstration this time for Prince Hiroito. The demonstration was  a total success. As a result Funakoshi was asked to stay in Japan and teach karate. In 1936 Funakoshi open his own dojo known call the Shotokan. In 1949 founded the Japan Karate Association. He was able to build a large group of talented instructors whom he dispatched all over the world to teach Shotokan. Funakoshi died at the age of 81, but he did more for karate than any other man.
 

   Chojun Miyagi:   

 Founder of GOJU RYU. He was born in 1888 and died in 1953. GOJU RYU meaning  hard and soft.
Miyagi was Kanryo Higaona best student and most talented. At the age of fourteen he started learning karate from Master Higaona. After the death of Higaonnas Miyagi began a trip to China to pay respect to Higaonnas teacher. During two month that Miyagi stayed he joined a the Julianshan Shaolin Temple where he trained and learned all about the Chinese system.
 

• In 1933 Miyagi Chojun Miyagi registered his system as GOJU RYU at the japanese regulating budo institution.
• 1934 Chojun Miyagi traveled on invitation to Hawaii where he taught and gave demonstrations until February 1935. His teaching for that time were referred as Kempo Karate.
• On the 25th of October 1936 the most outstanding Karate Masters, Chomo Hanashiro, Chotoku Kyan,Choki Motubu, Chosin Chibana and Chojkun Miyagi, got together and change the name Toudijutsu into Karate Do.
• In 1948 Miyagi accepted a batch of new students into his school and revised his teaching system, he also arranged the Kata of Goju Ryu into a set sequence.
• On 1953 Master Chojun Miyagi died of a sudden heard attack.

The movement contained in Goju-Ryu and Goju-Ryu Kata are intended for self defense only and not for sport. Short circular blocks, powerful holds and locks, efficient punching maneuvers, and kicking techniques targeted to the lower body characterize the art of Miyagi so carefully developed. These technique are not flashy or acrobatic, which makes Goju-Ryu an excellent style for defending oneself in a street situation.

Master Peter Urban father of modern USA Goju-Ryu karate. Master Urban is consider to be the the one who brought Goju-Ryu to America. After observing his students Master Urban realized that the system had to be modified. After some time Master Urban Created what is now known as USA Goju-Ryu.