Karate has many styles. Goju Ryu is one of them. It is an Okinawan style of karate that features the combination of both the hard and soft techniques, thus the name. “Go” meaning hard, pertains to the closed hand techniques as well as straight linear attacks. On the other hand, “Ju” which means soft, pertains to circular movements and open hand techniques. In Goju Ryu, proper breathing is given a big emphasis. The methods employed in this martial art include the conditioning and strengthening of the body, partner drills and other fighting approaches, e.g., power generation, stickiness, distance, etc. Goju Ryu trainings include in its curriculum the combined linear and circular movements. This martial art can truly be called an art because it manages to combine two contrasting techniques as apparent when it combines soft open handed circular techniques like grappling, locks, throws and take downs to enable to block, attack and control the opponent, with hard striking attacks which includes close handed punches and hard kicks.
Goju Ryu’s history is not very clear due to the fact that there is not much documentation on the art. However, it is widely accepted that Goju Ryu was founded by Master Chojun Miyagi in Okinawa, Japan. It is also known that Goju Ryu followed the path taken by other martial art forms as a result of Japan’s modernization. Goju Ryu, just like other martial arts developed from being a fighting discipline to an educational discipline. In 1933, Goju Ryu was recognized as a modern martial art (gendai budo) and was likewise recognized as an ancient martial art in 1998. Actually, the terms “Karate” and “Goju Ryu” are just recently used. The Okinawan term for this style was “toudi” wherein “to” means “Chinese” and “te” meaning “hand”. The 3 toudi variants in Okianwa, Japan then are the Tomari-Te, Shuri-te and the Naha-te, where Goju Ryu came from.
Grand Master Gogen Yamaguchi is Chojun Miyagi’s student. He is the founder of the Goju Kai, an Association recognized for its authority in the art of Goju Ryu. Yamaguchi is responsible for the unification of the teachings of the Goju Ryu Karatedo. Goju Ryu Karatedo’s goal is to inbibe in a person strong will power and fighting spirit as well as develop the individual’s fighting techniques in karate and to better his strength physically. It also improves the character and mentality of person that would go hand in hand with dignity, thoughtfulness and kindness.
Presently, Goju Ryu is growing its popularity in over fifty countries worldwide. Each country has their own affiliated association with the Goju Kai Association of Japan. There is a Goju Kai Karate Do in the United States at present. No less than Gocen Yamaguchi’s son, Gosei Yamaguchi presides over this association whose main purpose is to preserve the Goju Ryu martial art not only in Japan but the rest of the world. Anybody interested in becoming a student of the Goju Ryu may visit their websites for further information.
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