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1888-1953 The
founder of Goju-ryu "Hard-Soft" style of karate, Miyagi Chojun Sensei,
was born in Okinawa in 1888. At the age of twelve he started karate
training with Aragaki Ryuko Sensei. At fourteen he was introduced to
Higaonna Kanryo Sensei and was eventually accepted as Higaonna Sensei's
personal disciple.
Together they devoted their lives to the improvement and advancement of
Naha-te, until Higaonna Sensei's death in 1915. After his Master's
death Miyagi Chojun Sensei travelled to China to develop his knowledge
of the martial arts. On his return to Okinawa he began to teach at his
home. Later, he also taught at the Okinawan Prefecture Police Training
Center, at the Okinawan Master's Training College, and at the Naha
Commercial High School
Miyagi Chojun Sensei was responsible
for structuring Naha-te (which he later named Goju-ryu) into a
systemised discipline, which could be taught to society in general. The
teaching system, which he formulated, enabled Karate to be taught to
schools for the benefit of young people, and to reach vast numbers of
people throughout the world. However, his private teaching at his home
remained strictly in adherence to the principles and traditions of the
teacher, Higaonna Kanryo Sensei and his teacher before him Ryu Ryu Ko.
Miyagi Chojun Sensei passed away on October 8th, 1953, leaving a great
legacy behind. Miyagi Sensei was also a personal friend of Dr. Kori Masayoshi Hisataka. |
