JU-RYU Karata-Do

Welcome to the world of Martial Arts. The martial arts discused below are Okinawa

Goju-ryu Karate and Ryukyu Kobu-jutsu. Okinawa refers to the main islandof Ryukyu Island, a chain of islands stretching from southern Japan to Taiwan. Go(hard or firm) refers to strong ,striaght-liner and powerfulGO aggressive strikes and blocks, while Ju ( softor gentel) refers to soft,yielding, circular deflections and pinpoint strikes to vital areas. Karate originally meant " china hand ",but was changed to de-emphasize its Chinese orgin. The modern word "Karate" translates as "empty hand". It should be noted that contrary to popular beleif, the term "Karate" does not refer to fighting without weapons. "Kara"(empty) is a Taoist or Zen concept and does not relate to weponry.Kobu-jutsu refers to the ancient fighting arts with weaponry. The concept of hard and soft is valuable in in the development of character. The student of Goju-ryu should always be strong ,and capable of defending him or herself while at the same time practicing humility and respect for others . As the student advaces in training the emphasis gradually shifts from hard-style basics to softer, more advanced techniques.

 

About the Formation of GOJU-RYU

 

Goju-ryu Karate-do was founded by Master Chojun Miyagi in the late 1920's.Master Miyagi was the successor to Master Kanryo Higashionna, the leading exponet of Naha-te, one of the three original "sytems" that later developed in modern Karate. While a young man , Master Higashionna (already an accomplished martial artist) was a seaman on a ship engaged in the China trade. On one of these expeditions a young boy fell overboard.Master Higashionna barvely jumped overboard and saved the drowning youth. The boy's grateful father  happened to be well-known Chinese Boxing master ,Master Ryu Ryu Ko. When Master Ryu offered Master Higashionna a reward , the young Higashionna asked for instruction in Ryu Ryu Ko's Chinese Boxing (Kingai-noon) System. Master Higashionna studied  in Fukien, China, for thirty years and upon his return ,brought most of the forms and techniques that would later form the basis of the Goju-Ryu system (as well as many others ).Master Miyagi,born to a wealthy family ,and devoted his life to the mastery of Master Higashionna's techniques,even housing his instructor so that not a moments training would be wasted . After his teachers death ,Master Miyagi also journeyed to Fukien,China where he studied  Southern White Crane Boxing and other internal arts (said to include Hsing I and Pa Kaua Chuan). after his return to Okinawa,Master Miyagi set about systemizing what would later be known as Goju-Ryu.This combination of the "hard style" techniques and conditioning with the theories and techniques of the "internal"Chinese schools allows students to constantly progress as one advaces in age and experince, instead of declining with age as a result of developing only physical strength.

 

About TOGKF

This system of Goju-ryu is taught is regulated and overseen by the TEXAS JU-RYU KARATE FEDERATION ( TOGKF ), all rank  promotions are certifed by and registered with TOGKF. TOGKF provides student tournaments,seminars and continuing education for instructors. All students and instructors are required to be a memberof the TEXAS OKINAWAN GOJU-RYU KARATE FEDERATION. One of the purposes of acquiring membership with the TOGKF is to insuerre that you are being provided with legitimate instructions provided by a certified instructor , who has knowledge and competence to teach . Membership in the TEXAS OKINAWAN GOJU-RYU KARATE FEDERATION IS $ 26.00 per year for the first person ,and $ 6.00 per year  for each faily member after the first .The yearly fee includes discounts to most TOGKFevents and activities.