Chijun Miyagi was born in the city of Naha in Okinawa on 25 Arpil 1888 to an aristocratic family. They were in the import/export business and owned two ships which made regular trips to mainland China, placing themamong the wealthiest families in the area.
He began his formal training at age 11, in the dojo of Ryuko Aragaki. At age 14 in 1920 he was introduced to Master Kanryo Higashionna and after a period of doing chores for Master Kanryo Higashionna earn his place and was accepted as a student by Master Kanryo Higashionna who was known as father of Naha-Te.
Miyagi at the age of 27 left for China and studied Kempo in the province of Fucho.
In 1936 a demonstration took place in front of the Japanese Emperor. Miyagi could not attend this event and sent a senior student to perform this demonstration. When asked what the name of the demonstration style of martial arts was, the student called it Hanko-Ryu due to the hard striking techniques and soft circular deflecting techniques.
This was later changed to Goju-Ryu.
The Goju-Ryu method was brought by Miyagi from Okinawa to Osaka in 1930 and has subsequently been spread through the world. Compared to an incomprehensive universe "GO" and "JU" are opposite but equal. The Goju-Ryu practitioners strive to achieve a balance between Hard and Soft in their daily lives.
