About Us

Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi: Founder of Goju-Ryu (1888-1953).

Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi, born on April 25, 1888, began his karate training under Kanryo Higaonna at the age of 14 in 1902. His natural talent and fierce determination led to rapid progress, and despite the severe training, he practiced with unmatched enthusiasm. Chojun Miyagi became a private disciple (uchi deshi) of Kanryo Higaonna and studied with him for 14 years until Higaonna's death in 1915.

As the successor to Naha-te, Chojun Miyagi pushed himself to the limits to emulate his teacher's extraordinary skills. In 1915, he journeyed to Fuzhou, China, where his teacher had studied, to further his own martial arts research. He made three trips to China during his lifetime.

Upon returning to Okinawa, Miyagi began teaching karate at his home in Naha. He later taught at the Okinawan Prefecture Police Training Center, the Okinawan Master’s Training College, and Naha Commercial High School, where his teacher had also taught.

Chojun Miyagi dedicated his entire life to karate, systematizing Naha-te (later named Goju-Ryu) into a structured discipline teachable to the general public. His teaching system allowed karate to be taught in schools, benefiting young people and spreading the art worldwide. However, his private teaching at home strictly adhered to the principles and traditions of Kanryo Higaonna and his teacher, Ryu Ryu Ko.

The naming of Goju-Ryu occurred by chance. In 1930, Miyagi’s top student, Jin’an Shinzato, while in Tokyo, was asked by martial arts masters about his school. Since Naha-te had no formal name, Shinzato could not answer. Upon his return to Okinawa, he reported this to Miyagi, who, after much consideration, named the style Goju-Ryu (hard and soft school). The name was inspired by a line in the Bubishi, a classical Chinese text on martial arts, which describes the eight precepts of martial arts: "Ho Goju Donto" (the way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness).

Chojun Miyagi worked tirelessly to spread karate throughout Okinawa and mainland Japan, striving for Naha-te to be recognized on par with judo and kendo. He traveled frequently to Japan, teaching at Kyoto University, Kansai University, and Ritsumeikan University. In 1931, Goju-Ryu Karate-Do was officially registered in the Butokukai, Japan's martial arts center, making it the first recognized karate style. This milestone meant that karate was now on a level with Japan's highly respected martial arts.

Chojun Miyagi was the first karate instructor recognized by the Japan Butokukai as a master of karate. He passed away on October 8, 1953, leaving a great legacy. He predicted that karate would spread worldwide during the twentieth century, a prediction that has been realized. Today, karate is practiced globally, no longer confined to Okinawa or Japan but embraced by all nations and peoples.

For those seeking authentic Okinawan martial arts, the Traditional Karate Center offers karate classes inspired by the teachings of Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi. At our Traditional Karate Center, we provide comprehensive training that honors the legacy of Goju-Ryu and Naha-te. Join us to experience the profound tradition and discipline of Okinawan karate at the Traditional Karate Center.