TOGKF
The History of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do
The Development of Karate
Goju Ryu Karate was created from the amalgamation of Chinese „Kenpo” and Okinawan „Tode”. Over the past centuries, there was a flourishing economic and cultural exchange between China and Okinawa. Delegates from both countries continuously traveled to the neighboring country to learn or teach. Among the travelers, there were many martial artists who protected the delegates from pirates and other dangers. The invasion of Okinawa by the Satsuma clan and the introduction of a weapons ban facilitated the development of a weaponless form of self-defense.
Kanryo Higashionna was a simple man who belonged to the lower strata of society. He had great talent in martial arts, so at the age of 17, he began his karate training under Aragaki Yosho. Aragaki belonged to a higher social class, making it very unusual for him to teach someone of lower rank. Why he did this remains a subject of speculation to this day. His later master, Kojo Taitei, was famous throughout Okinawa for his strong fists. Allegedly, he could kill a cow with two punches. Higashionna later traveled to China to deepen his knowledge of martial arts. Due to his extreme poverty, he had to enter the country illegally. In China, he was taught by Ryuryu Ko and returned to Okinawa a few years later. For years he sought talented and worthy students in vain, until one day fate brought him together with Miyagi Chojun.
Goju Ryu Karate
Miyagi Chojun was born in 1888 in Higashi Machi Naha Shi, the son of an herbal medicine merchant. It is believed that he began his training under Higashionna at the age of 14. At the age of 20, he was drafted for three years of military service. When Higashionna was dying, Miyagi took care of him until his death in 1917. Throughout his life, Miyagi traveled extensively, always striving to expand his knowledge and incorporate it into his karate style. He had the opportunity for these long journeys because his family was very wealthy. At that time, Miyagi’s karate did not yet have a proper name. During a Budosai (Budo demonstration) when his top student, Jin’an Shinzato (1901-1945), performed, the time had come to name his style. He named his karate „Goju Ryu” based on the „Eight Poems of the Martial Arts”. One line of the poem reads: „The way of inhaling and exhaling is hard and soft”.
The „Kamon” symbolizes the sky and the earth, where the circle represents the sky and the square symbol represents the earth. Similar to the Ying-Yang symbol, it represents the universal harmony of „Hard and Soft”. From this, we can infer the meaning of Goju Ryu as well, with „Go” referring to the hard aspect and „Ju” to the soft aspect of our karate style. The square symbol is also the family crest of Miyagi Chojun Sensei.
„Above all, you must learn the art of true patience. Follow the path of patience to the seventh power, and never hurry in learning. Think first and do not act rashly. Do not harm anyone and do not let anyone harm you.”
– Miyagi Sensei –
Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu
Traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-do is a challenging art. It tests you emotionally, mentally, and physically. But like anything else in life, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Through dedicated practice, you become physically strong, and mentally and emotionally resilient. Developing character, mind, and body is one of the main goals of TOGKF.
TOGKF is a traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu school; we do not consider karate a sport, but a way of life. We emphasize wholeness. The goal is to enrich all that we are.
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The Principles of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-Do
Chojun Miyagi Sensei, the founder of Goju Ryu, received the title of „bushi,” which means „honourable warrior.” In Okinawa, the term „bushi” is not equivalent to the Japanese „samurai” title. The designation of „warrior” was a special recognition given to Chojun Miyagi Sensei, which few have received in the history of Okinawa and karate.
Miyagi Sensei always spoke of „Bujutsu” (martial arts) in simple terms. He taught how one should live in harmony with nature. Today, we understand the deeper meaning of this and greatly value his words. Through constant practice of martial arts, Miyagi Sensei also explored how people should live.
As followers of Miyagi Sensei’s teachings, we must be aware that only through hard training can we cultivate strict self-discipline. Training should be viewed as a diamond. Initially rough and dull, but with hard, strict, and relentless training (polishing), our technique begins to shine. However, even if we achieve this, we must not become lazy and neglect our training, or the diamond will lose its luster again. Only through tireless polishing will our diamond remain clear and bright. This philosophy applies not only to karate techniques but to all aspects of life.
Following the words of our master, Miyagi Sensei, we can summarize his teachings in three principles.
Kata Embodies the Principles of Goju Ryu
Kata (a specific form of movement) is not just a demonstration of a series of movements; it contains precise techniques that can be changed at any time and in any form. Kata is the form in which the essence of karate is embodied. We must always remember that kata is the crystallization of the essence of karate. Only through the practice of kata can we achieve „gokui” (the essential teaching).
Goju Ryu Karate Do Expresses the Harmonious Unity of the Universe Within Us
„Flexible like a willow and solid like Mount Tai (a mountain often found in Chinese poetry).” When the extremes of Hard „go” and Soft „ju” unite, the unshakable form of the harmony of heaven and earth unfolds. This harmony of Hard and Soft – that is, the unity of the universe – can be recognized everywhere in nature. Through the path of Goju Ryu Karate, we can express the unity of nature within ourselves.
Goju Ryu Karate Do is the Path to Seeking Goodness
In Goju Ryu Karate Do, we strive to develop the ideal of physical and spiritual unity through the training of body and soul. Originally, the concept of „victory” existed in martial arts, but true victory through virtue is the highest goal. Anyone seeking this path must not forget the Japanese character „nin” (perseverance). Increasing our virtues means: „Seeking to win without fighting is the ultimate secret in the quest for truth.”
TOGKF - Dojokun
(The TOGKF Moral Code)
HITOTSU – REIGI O OMON ZURU KOTO RESPECT YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS
HITOTSU – YUKI O YASHINAU KOTO BE BRAVE
HITOTSU – SHINSHIN O RENMASHI TRAIN YOUR MIND AND BODY
HITOTSU – DENTO KARATE O MAMORI HIBINO TANREN O OKOTARAZU TSUNE NI KENKYU KUFU O SURU KOTO PRACTICE DAILY AND PRESERVE THE TRADITIONS OF KARATE
HITOTSU – GOJU RYU KARATE NO SHINZUI O KIWAMERU KOTO STRIVE TO TEACH THE ESSENCE OF KARATE
HITOTSU – FUTOFUKUTSU NO SEISHIN O YASHINAU KOTO NEVER GIVE UP
TOGKF Hungary
The TOGKF Hungary karate school was established on June 3, 2024, in Budapest, after Sensei Gregor decided to open his dojo, Gregor Dojo, in Hungary.