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Austin Okinawa Goju Ryu lineage 

1800-1915

March 10,1853- October 1,1915

April 25,1888-October 8,1953

November 8,1898 -

April 16,1966

May 20,1917 -

August 31,1998

1930 

 

Ryu Ryu Ko

 

Chinese boxing master. Believed to have studied at the Shaolin Temple

in the mountains of Fujian Province. Notable for instructing many of the founders of Okinawan martial arts which later produced Karate.

Master Higashionna

While a young man ,Master Higashionna(already an acomplished martial artist) was a seamenon a ship engaged in china trade. On one of those expeditions  a young boy fell overboard. Master Higashionna bravely jumped overboard and saved the drowing youth . The boy's gratefull father was the well-known Chines 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 Chines Boxing (Kingai-noon) System. Master Higashionnastudied 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

Founder of Goju ryu karate.Master Migagi, born to wealthy family devoted his life to the mastery of Master Higashionna's techniques. Journeyed to Fukien, China, where he studied  Southern White Crane Boxing and other internal arts. Upon 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" soft Chinese schools allows students to consantly progress as one advances in age and experience, instead of declining with age as a result of developing only physical strength.

Master Higa

Founder of Shodokan Goju Ryu Began his training with Master Higashionna at the age of 13. After Master Higashionna's death in 1915, he trained with Master Miyagi. Master Higa is believed to be the only person Master Miyagi ever authorized to tech Goju ryu

Master Toguchi

Founder of founder of Shorei-kan school of Goju ryu karate. Student of Master Miyagi as one of his principal students. Before his death, Master Miyagi passed on all his advanced kata and teachings to Master Toguchi. Expanding on Master Miyagi's vision, master Toguchi futher developed a system of progressive kata and added Bunkai and Kiso kumite to help explain application of the kata.Many of the early pioneers of Okinawan karate in the US studied with Master Toguchi.

Sensei Takahata

Authorized by master Toguchi to travel to us to teach Shorei-kan Goju Ryu karate. Instructor  of Kyoshi Dean Chapman

Kyoshi Dean Chapman

1961 

Shihan Chapman began his Martial Arts training in 1973 under Sensei Takahata. Shihan Chapman was encouraged by Seensei Takahata to suplement his training with various other martial styles including but not limited to kung fu, yang-style tai chi, northern white crane.chin-na,and weaponry. A martialartist for over 40 years, Shihan Chapman has been in several TV shows as well as performing demonstrations for various events. Shihan Chapman is a nationally known and respected Martial Artist

Shihan Yocham

1969- current 

Shihan Yocham has been actively studing and teaching Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate since 1989. his rank and leadership abiltities are certified and recognized on an international level. In 1997 ,Shihan Yocham was inducted into the first Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Instroctor of the year in the Okinawan division.

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