CHOJUN MIYAGI

Chojun Miyagi began his karate training under Master Kanryo Higashionna at age 14. Following his initial instruction from Higashionna Master Miyagi traveled to Fukien Prefecture, most likely at the urging of Master Higashionna, to study the martial arts and to improve his technique. It is widely accepted that Master Miyagi was in China from 1904 to 1908. What styles of martial arts Master Miyagi Studied in Fukien is the subject matter of much speculation. It is assumed that he followed in Higashionna's footsteps.

Upon his return to Okinawa, Master Miyagi began teaching karate. Master Miyagi began to organize and systematize the style, he named it GOJU RYU. A physical education teacher in the Okinawa school system, Master Miyagi began to introduce other elements in the basic physical training of karate. He began to incorporate aspects of calisthenics exercise in the traditional training methods of karate instruction. This attracted young men to the art and the art gained more publicity in Okinawa. Master Miyagi also introduced two new Katas into the system that were much simpler than the traditional Kata Master Higashionna taught. These two Kata, known as Gikesai Ichi and Gikesai Ni, served to attract many young men into the style and helped to popularize GoJu Ryu.

As his popularity grew Master Miyagi traveled to Japan to teach GoJu Ryu karate. In Japan, he taught many pupils who later would become masters in their own right.