The History of Goju-Ryu Karate

Kanryo Higaonna was born in Naha, Okinawa on 10 March 1851. At the age of 14 he began his formal training in Chinese Kempo with Seisho Arakaki, who studied the Fukien style. In 1866 he travelled to China to continue his studies.

In Foochow he was introduced to Ryu Ryuko. After following the age-old tradition of personal service, that included working in the garden, cleaning and doing chores, Higaonna was accepted as a student. Training was gruelling, but he was soon known among the locals as one of Ryu Ryuko's best students.

It is rumoured that for up to six years he only trained Sanchin kata. Only much later was he taught the other katas – Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Sepai, Kururunfa, Seisan and Suparinpei. He also studied traditional weapons and herbal medicines.

After 13 years he returned to Okinawa and began giving private lessons. In 1905 he began teaching at a public high school and was considered one of the best karateka in Okinawa. He developed the Naha-te style, and based on his teachings many of his students, like Chojun Miyagi, formed their own style. He died on 23 December 1915 at the age of 63.

Chojun Miyagi was born on 25 April 1888 in Naha, Okinawa, to an aristocratic family. He began his formal training at age 11 in the dojo of Ryoko Aragaki. At the age of 14, he was introduced to Kanryo Higaonna, founder of Naha-te. After a period of doing chores for Sensei Higaonna, he was accepted as a student.

Sensei Higaonna was a demanding teacher, and training included running and strength training, and students often fainted during Sanchin kata (breathing kata). Miyagi trained this way for 13 years and developed into a very powerful karateka.

He then travelled to China on a quest to find Master Ryu Ryuko, with whom Higaonna had studied. He could not find him, but during his travels, he studied other local martial arts.

In 1926 at the age of 38, he established the Karate Research Club with Chomo Hanashiro (Shuri-te), Kenwa Mabuni (Shito-Ryu), and Motobu Choyo. They spent the next three years focusing on basics, kata, fitness, and philosophy.

Ei'ichi Miyazato was born on 5 July 1922 in Okinawa and passed away on 10 December 1999 due to ill health. Miyazato began his karate training with his father when he was 13 years old. He became a student of Chojun Miyagi at the age of 15.

As a beginner, he practiced hojo undo (supplementary exercises) and kakie (sticking hands) and developed tremendous strength. During this time he also began studying Judo. Famous for his ashi barai (foot sweep), he eventually became All Okinawa Judo Champion. He was a seventh dan in Judo.

Except for a short time during WWII, Miyazato remained with Chojun Miyagi until his death in 1953. Miyazato often assisted Chojun Miyagi teaching at the Garden Dojo, and under his guidance also taught at local high schools. Following Miyagi's death in 1953, at the request of his fellow students and Miyagi's family, Miyazato continued teaching at the Garden Dojo.

He was also the instructor at the Ryukyu Police Academy where he also taught Judo. He assumed the responsibility of preserving the katas, principles and the future of his teacher's Karate-Do system, Goju-Ryu. Miyazato Hanshi opened his own dojo in 1954 and in 1957 built the Jundokan (House for the following in the footsteps of the father) in the Asato district of Naha. This three-story structure included both the Jundokan Dojo and his home on the top floor. He is noted for continuing to teach in the traditional way he had learned from Miyagi.

Hanshi Masanari Kikugawa is a 10th Dan and the technical director of the Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Kyokai (OGKK). He lives and teaches in Naha, Okinawa, where practitioners from around the world travel to train under his guidance.

He holds the prestigious title of Intangible Cultural Treasure, bestowed by the government of Okinawa in recognition of his lifetime dedication to preserving authentic Okinawan Goju-Ryu. This makes him one of the most knowledgeable grandmasters of this style globally.

His training lineage connects directly to the Jundokan through Kiichi Nakamoto, who was promoted to 10th Dan by Miyazato Sensei himself. Kikugawa Sensei continues to travel internationally, sharing his expertise with dedicated practitioners.

Palm Court Karate is privileged to be directly associated with Kikugawa Hanshi through the OGKK organisation, maintaining our authentic connection to Okinawan Goju-Ryu.