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Origins
of Karate-Do: The Roots of Goju Ryu |
 The
founder of Guju Ryu Karate-Do is Chojun
Miyagi. He was born in Naha
Okinawa on April 25th, 1888 to a noble family.
At the age of 14 Miyagi began training under the foremost
Naha-te grand master, Kanryo Higaonna.
He was his Sensei's disciple for 15 years.
In 1904, after Higaonna died, Miyagi
went to China to study other Martial Arts and
Zen. He learned different styles of Gung Fu. In Foochow,
Fukien Province, Miyagi studied Shao
Lin Chuan (hard fist - external style of chi
chi) and also Ba Gwa Chang
(eight diagram palm -- soft fist style). In 1908 he
returned to Okinawa. Using his knowledge of Chinese
Kempo he adapted Naha-te to more fully reflect the hard
and soft aspects of the original art -- the give and
take required to be successful.
 The
words Goju Ryu mean hard
and soft tradition. Go is the Japanese word for
hardness and Ju is the word for softness. Ryu means
style or tradition. The system is based on the Oriental
concept that all hardness and stiffness is not good,
and at the same time all softness and too much gentleness
is not good. Goju Ryu reflects the concept of Yin and
Yang -- that these two opposites
should complement each other. It is this complement
of hard and soft which gives Goju Ryu its beautiful,
disciplined movements, filled
with grace, flowing forms, and strength. Actions are
sometimes extremely fast and other times slow and majestic.
Goju Ryu utilizes an aggressive style of attack with
emphasis on delivering blows hard but with easy effort
and in rapid succession, maneuvering not only forwards
but also from side to side. However an essential aspect
to Karate-Do is the emphasis on the use of physical
Force only as an absolute final
option and of course only for defensive purposes.
Jiu
Jitsu Programme
 Jiu
Jitsu is the technique of suppleness, flexibility, gentleness.
The origins of this Art can be traced to the period
between 1120 and 1170 with the origin of Daito Ryu Aki
Jitsu. The late 17th to mid-19th century is considered
the golden age of Jiu Jitsu during which time more than
700 styles appeared in Japan. In those days the vital
issue in Jiu Jitsu was effectiveness in combat. Methods
were tested in duels and public competitions among members
of various schools. These encounters were frequently
fatal. Such testing not only improved techniques and
ways of employing them, but established the reputations
of the survivors.
Jiu Jitsu techniques emphasize throwing, choking,
joint kicking, holding, and tying. Most systems emphasized
only one or two major techniques. Jiu Jitsu was always
a secondary method of combat to the warrior, since he
relied so heavily on his sword. Although Jiu Jitsu techniques
are initially learned one at a time in a static position,
the essence of Jiu Jitsu is the ability to move from
one technique to another, quickly and as often as necessary
to control an attacker. Each system emphasizes only
a few major techniques (waza). Every technique is designed
to illustrate and teach a specific principle which can
be applied in many different situations.
Feature
Article:
Note from "The Karate Sensei" by Maestro Peter
Urban
Click
Here for Self Defense Strategies.
Click
Here for the Introductory Karate Schedule.
Click
Here for the Intermediate/Advanced Karate Schedule.
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