Goju-Ryu / Karate-Do

Okinawa Goju-Ryu is a form of Okinawa Karate-Do originating from the Okinawa region of Naha, hence derived from Naha-Te (Naha Hand Karate).

Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do was founded by Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953). Goju means Hard/Soft style and was given the name (around 1930) by Miyagi Chojun Sensei after research into one of Okinawa’s classic books of martial arts called the Bubishi. The Bubishi was said to have strong technical links to the martial arts of China. In the Bubishi article thirteen the eight precepts of Quanfa (fist arts) Miyagi Sensei chose number three (inhaling represents softness, while exhaling characterizes hardness). This expressed the thought of meaning he gave to naming his style Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. In 1933 the name Goju-Ryu was officially registered at the Butokukai (Japan Martial Arts Association).

The Goju-Ryu system is thought to originate from Okinawa Naha-Te with China influences of Shaolin Kung-Fu, White Crane, Hsing-I, Pakua, and Taichi Chuan. The system combines soft subtle flowing tactics with quick powerful and strong counter attacks. Miyagi Sensei systemized his art of Goju in categories of warm up exercises, supplemental weight and other equipment aided exercise, body conditioning, body posture and stance movement, basic blocking/striking, one step and multiple step partner sparring, Kata (basic, preliminary, and standard), technical application and target points, and free sparring. In addition to Karate aspects of punching and kicking, Goju-Ryu has a great deal of hidden techniques that include many takedown throws and joint lock attacks.

The system of Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do is practiced at the Aibukan Dojo in Aibukan Budo as a more commonly known Karate form as opposed to the form of China Hand Hsing-I Chuan.

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