Japanese Goju Ryu

Japanese Goju Ryu – The difference

Within modern Goju-ryu, there are four main schools. Three of these stem directly from dojo`s opened in Okinawa by former students of Chojun Miyagi.

We would expect there to be some differences, and there were… The way the students fought and how they applied movements in kihon and kumite were way different. 

Japanese Goju-ryu  became very popular, and Yamaguchi Gogen sensei can be credited with bringing the style to the rest of the world.

  • Gogen Yamaguchi sensei came from Samurai Lineage and introduced that culture into his dojo making it very different to that of Okinawa . 

 

Gogen Yamaguchi - Japanese Goju Ryu Karate Table View Gogen Yamaguchi with his top students of Gojukai

 

  • In 1937, Chojun Miyagi appointed Gogen Yamaguchi to head the progression of GoJu Ryu on mainland Japan.
  • This lead to rapid growth and popularity of GoJu Ryu throughout mainland Japan.
  • Yamaguchi Sensei put Goju on the map and it spread like wildfire across the world.
  • Gogen sensei focused on the sport aspect, but later regretted that decision and soon history showed his reasoning.

GoJu Ryu is distinctive in that it has remained largely unchanged from its original Chinese combat arts with Lin Shixan (White Crane).

Contact Seiwa Kai  Cape town on more for how to join us 

 

Grand master of Gojukai Japan

In due course, Yamaguchi formulated his own system of “Goju Shinto,” a combination of Goju style karate, yoga and shinto, with some zen included too.

 

Japanese  vs Okinawan karate  

  • Gogen / Goshi Yamaguchi added a series of H pattern forms called the Taikyoku kata. 
  • Kobudo Weapons is generally more prevalent among Okinawan Goju-ryu
  • Various small variations in kata such as use of angles in the end of the Gekisai kata
  • Yamaguchi Goju-ryu Kata Bunkai uses many steps, combinations and Aikido
  • Okinawan Goju-ryu tends to use two man kata bunkai sets which explain the meaning of the kata
  • Yamaguchi Kumite is hard and fast using open hand strikes and groin kicks, however the JKF Goju-ryu tends to be more sport-flavored

How It spread to mainland Japan

Japanese Goju-ryu has become very popular, and Yamaguchi Gogen sensei can be credited with bringing the style to the rest of the world. 

Japan Karate Federation (JKF) Goju Kai

Japan Karate-do Federation was established in 1964 to organise and oversee all styles of traditional Japanese Karate. This organisation is part of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (文部科学省 Monbu-kagaku-shō).

  1. Mr. Shuji Tasaki, Hanshi (1933 – 2011) is the Founder of Seiwakai Goju Ryu. He began training in Goju Ryu in 1952 under the tutelage of Gogen Yamaguchi. In 1971 he formed Seiwakai.

Mr. Seiichi Fujiwara Hanshi is the President and Chief Instructor of Seiwakai Goju Ryu international. He holds an 8th Dan with the JKF Goju Kai and currently serves as the Head of Overseas Committee.