User:Okinawakan

https://www.okinawakan-karate.org/
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== Okinawakan Goju Ryu Karate == The art of Naha-te, founded by Kanryo Higaonna Sensei, forms the basis of Goju Ryu Karate. Kanryo Higaonna Sensei was born in 1853 and was part of the lower gentry. He longed to study in China the art of Chinese Kempo, however,  was lacking in financial means until he was introduced to the owner of a ship. Fortunately, the owner  granted  him  passage  and  Kanryo Higaonna Sensei soon arrived at the port city of Foochow, the only city in China engaged in trade with Okinawa at that time. Eventually, he was introduced to Master  Ryu  Ryuko. Kanryo Higaonna  Sensei  spent sixteen  years  in  Foochow,  China, studying  under  Master  Ryu Ryuko  and  become  like  a  son to him. He also became well known throughout the region as a great martial artist. Upon his  return  to  Okinawa, Kanryo  Higaonna  Sensei  paid  his  respects  to  the  owner  of  the  ship, Yoshimura,  and  began  teaching  his  sons  the  art  he  had learned. As the word spread of his great skill, he soon also taught members of the royal family. Later he opened his own dojo. Kanryo Higaonna Sensei was especially known for his incredible speed, strength and power and his art became known as Naha-dee (te). The actual  founder of the Goju Ryu karate was Miyagi  Chojun  Sensei, a personal disciple of Kanryo Higaonna Sensei. At the age of 14, Miyagi Chojun Sensei met  Kanryo  higaonna Sensei and together they devoted their lives to the  improvement  and advancement of the art of Naha-te. They spent thirteen years together until Kanryo Higaonna Sensei passed away in 1916. Miyagi Chojun Sensei?s family was part of the gentry. They owned two trading ships that imported medicine from China for both the government and private individuals. The same year Kanryo Higaonna Sensei  died,  Miyagi  Chojun Sensei  left  for China to discover the roots of Naha-te in the city of Foochow. Unfortunately, all had fled during the revolutionary war and he returned to Okinawa. Miyagi Chojun Sensei was a man of strong will and excelled in his studies. He trained daily, often with nature in harsh elements and practiced various exercises to develop his senses. He created several katas and sometimes would receive instructions from his dreams. In addition  to  his  personal   training  and  development  of Naha-te, Miyagi  Chojun  Sensei spent a great deal of his time promoting the art. In 1921, he performed a demonstration of Naha-te in Okinawa for the visiting Prince Hirohito, Emperor of Japan and in 1925 for Prince Chichibu. Miyagi Chojun Sensei had already envisioned the development of Naha-te not only in Japan but also around the world. It became  increasingly  important  to  organize  and  unify  Okinawan  karate  as  a cultural treasure to be passed on to future generations. In 1926, Miyagi Chojun Sensei established the Karate Research Club in Wakas-Cho. Four instructors, Miyagi Chojun, Hanashiro, Motobu and Mabuni, taught  alternately  some  preliminary  exercises  and supplemental exercises. Afterwards, Miyagi Chojun  Sensei  gave  talks  to the  students  about  mankind,  daily  life,  and the samurai code of ethics in order to improve their moral development as well. In 1927, Kano  Jigoro  Sensei,  founder  of  Judo, saw a demonstration of a kata by Miyagi Chojun Sensei and was impressed by the advanced technique and sophistication of Naha-te. Kano Sensei?s influence allowed Miyagi Chojun  Sensei  to  perform  Okinawan  karate  at  leading  Japanese Budo tournaments sponsored by the government. In 1930, Miyagi Chojun Sensei performed at  the  Butoku-kai  Tournament and at the Sainei Budo Tournament in 1932. As its exposure increased, many became interested  in  Miyagi  Chojun  Senseis  art. One of  Miyagi  Chojun  Senses  senior disciples, Shinzato Sensei, gave a performance of kata at a Japanese martial arts tournament. Afterwards, a master  asked the name of his school. Shinzato Sensei had no answer for him, returned to Okinawa and told  Miyagi  Chojun  Sensei  about  his encounter. In order to promote his art as well as cooperate with other schools of Japanese martial arts, Miyagi Chojun  Sensei decided it was necessary to name his art. It became  known  as  Goju  Ryu  Karate,  meaning  hard  and soft  taken  from  the precepts of traditional Chinese Kempo (see below). He was the first among different schools of karate to name his  art and in 1933 his art of Goju Ryu was formally registered at the Butoku-kai, Japanese Martial Arts Association During the 1930s, Miyagi Chojun Sensei actively developed and promoted karate-do in Japan and throughout  the  world. For example, in 1934, a Hawaiian newspaper company invited him to Hawaii in  order to introduce and populate  karate in Hawaii. In 1936, Miyagi Chojun Sensei spent two months in Shanghai, China, for further study of Chinese martial  arts. In 1937, he was awarded a commendation by the  Butoku-kai  for  his  kata. Miyagi Chojun  Sensei  developed Goju Ryu by analyzing and employing scientific methods of exercise. In 1940, he created katas Gekisai Dai ichi and Gekisai Dai ni with the purpose of popularizing karate and  improving  the  physical  education  of  young people. He also created Tensho kata emphasizing the softness of the art whereas Sanchin kata emphasizes the hardness. A tragic period ensued in the 1940s as a result of World War II and Miyagi Chojun Sense i stopped teaching. During this period he lost a son and a senior student while enduring the devastations  of  war  and  poverty. After t he war, Okinawan karate spread rapidly throughout mainland Japan. Miyagi Chojun Sensei taught karate in Kansai, Japan, for a short time. In 1946, however, he started teaching karate at the Okinawan Police Academy as  well  as  in  the  backyard  of  his  home  in Tsuboya where his son still lives today. From the beginning, Miyagi Chujun Sensei recognized karate as a valuable  social  treasure  of  Okinawa. He devoted his entire life to the study, development and transmission of Okinawan karate for the sake of  future  generations  and  is  truly known as the founder of Goju Ryu karate-do. During his lifetime, Miyagi  Chojun  Sensei  was known   and  respected  by everyone not only in Okinawa but also respected throughout the world as one of karate?s greatest authorities. Miyagi Chojun  Sensei  chose  the name Goju  Ryu  from  the  Eight  Precepts  of traditional Chinese Kempo found in the document Bubishi? and are as follows:

•1. The mind is one with heaven and earth. •2. The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the cycle of the sun and the moon. •3. The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness. •4. Act in accordance with time and change. •5. Techniques will occur in the absence of conscious thought. •6. The feet must advance and retreat, separate and meet. •7. The eyes do not miss even the slightest change. •8. The ears listen well in all directions.

These eight precepts  are  the essence of  the  martial arts and are the elements one strives to achieve in training Goju Ryu Karate-do. Such training shall serve to lead humankind to rediscover our natural instincts and capabilities.

Grand Master Nakamoto Kiichi is one of the the first Okinawan to be recognized as 10th Degree Karate Master by the Japanese Government, is a 10th Degree Hanshi of Ryukyu Kobujutsu (Weaponry), a 10th Degree Hanshi of Gojuryu Karate, and was one of the the last formal students of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Gojuryu Karate.


 * A lifetime of devoted service in the Martial Arts, since at age 6


 * He is revered as one of the finest weapons and karate Grand Masters in Okinawa


 * He is a direct descendant of the great Uhugusuku Samurai Family, the personal bodyguards of the Okinawa Kings and in charge of security for the Shuri Castle


 * Personal student of the great Kina, Shosei Weapons Grand Master, the successor to the Uhugusuku Samurai Family Weaponry System


 * Personal student of Chojun Miyagi, founder of Goju ryu Karate


 * 10th Degree Grand Master of Weaponry


 * 10th Degree Grand Master, Goju ryu Karate


 * 10th Degree Karate-Do, All Japan Dojo Federation


 * Iaido Grand Master (Samurai sword)


 * President of the “Ryukyu Dento Kobujutsu Hozon Budo Kyokai”, Ryukyu Weapons Society


 * President of the Okinawa-Kan


 * Owner of 28 Martial Art schools in Japan and 8 in Okinawa