Master Morio Higaonna
Chief instructor
Text is taken from IOGKF brochure
Master Morio Higaonna, 8th dan black belt, is recognized as one of leading sensei and best
representative of Goju-Ryu Karate-do in the world for last 25 years. The training always was the
main theme of his life. He never searched for glory in martial arts, and his world popularity is the
result of his excellent skill and ability; the skill, which is surpassed only by his original
modesty and calmness.
Master Higaonna has arrived in Tokyo, capital of Japan, from his native land, Okinawa, in 1961.
He was 22. He had been studying Goju-Ryu since he was 14 with such a furious persistence, which seldom
can be found even at great masters.
Therefore when he was 22 he was almost martial arts master. Thanks to his obvious courage and despite
of his youth he was invited to teach in dojo at center of Tokyo. His lessons though being very hard
to endure were very popular and soon he became the instructor on the full rate.
There were many foreigners who came to Tokyo to study martial arts that time. They usually came
to such world famous dojos as YAKA and Kyokushinkai. However, having appeared in Tokyo, their
curiosity leaded them to other dojos of Tokyo. When they came in Yoygi dojo and saw there small, but
dynamical sensei, many of them simply were stunned by magnificent technique and improbable force of
master Higaonna. They immediately left dojos where they studied earlier and began to train with this
inspiring teacher.
They were amazed not only by karate of master Higaonna but also by his behavior and behavior of
his students. While in many dojos of Japan all foreigners were considered only as bags for beating,
master Higaonna's dojo was as a breath of fresh air. At all lessons of the master Higaonna anyone
had to meet the high requirements and to find out himself/herself limit of endurance, but lessons
were always held with honor and in spirit of true Budo, martial art way.
During twenty-one years of master Higaonna's teaching in Yoygi dojo thousands followers of
karate had been benefited from his unique kind of karate. His lessons became so popular, that he
gave four lessons a day, and 1000 and even more students attended his lessons daily.
Master Higaonna had many foreign followers and as result there was a foundation of the
International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF) in 1979. With master Higaonna as chief
the IOGKF now works in 45 countries and has more than 50 000 members worldwide.
In September 1987 master Higaonna has moved to the United States. November 1st 1987 he has
started Traditional Karate Institute (World IOGKF headquarters) at San Marcos. Master Higaonna
hopes that his presence here can attract lot of people to deep doctrine and philosophy of the
Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi Goju-Ryu Karate-do founder.
Some facts can appear out-of-date. I bring the apologies beforehand .