Gojo-ryu Karate

Goju-ryu was developed by Okinawan instructor Chojun Miyagi from one of the oldest styles, Shorei-Ryu or Naha-Te. Goju-Ryu is known for its emphasis on low stance training, dynamic tension and breathing exercises. Miyagi started training at 14 in Shuri-te and began training in Naha-te with Kanryo Higaonna shortly after. Chojun Miyagi studied under Higaonna until Higaonna's death in 1915.

Kanyro Higaonna

Soon after Higaonna's death he began training in Chugoko kempo in China. When he returned to Okinawa he began to tach Naha-te out of his home. He spent many years refining and developing the style into an effective martial art for spiritual and physical development. He restructured Naha-te into a discipline that could easily be taught to any member of society. The teaching system he developed enabled Karate to be taught in schools for youth, and to reach large numbers of people throughout the world. During this time he spent much effort trying to spread Karate throughout Okinawa.
Chojun Miyagi

When he went back to Okinawa he became friends with two martial arts teachers from China. In 1912 Wu Xianhui went to Okinawa, where Miyagi was able to learn White Crane Kung fu.

In 1933 Chojun Myagi's style of karate was formally accepted at the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai, the center of martial arts in Japan at the time.

The name Goju-ryu has two suspected origins. The first is from a line in the "Bushibi"(a japanese text in the martial arts), and in this instance means "hard and soft". The second possibility is that is originated from an old Chinese text, the Wu Pei Chih from which 'goju' is in a sentence which read "The successful methods require both give and take"(go, and ju). The hard and soft is concept is central to Goju-ryu Karatedo. The philosophy and practice of Goju-ryu is that each technique must have a balance of hardness and softness for it to be effective.

He matched the strong snapping techniques of karate with the dynamic and flexible techniques of Chinese kenpo. The Goju style specializes close fighting techniques. The breathing system in Goju-ryu allows the practitioner to take a blow while giveing him or her the ability to deliver a very powerful strike. Goju-ryu places a lot of emphasis on soft circular blocking techniques combined with quick strong rapid counter attacks.