Goju-ryu (Japanese for "hard-soft style") is one of the four traditional styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. It is commonly believed that the concept of combining the two extremes originated in a Chinese martial arts doctrine known as wu bei ji (pronounced bubishi in Japanese.) Goju-ryu combines hard striking attacks such as kicks and close hand punches with softer open hand circular techniques for attacking, blocking, and controlling the opponent, including locks, grappling, takedowns and throws. Closed hand means Go which is hard, and open hand means Ju which is soft. Both principles, hard and soft, come from the famous martial arts book Bubishi (Chinese: wu bei ji), used by Okinawan masters during the XIX and XX. Major emphasis is given to breathing correctly. Gōjū-ryū practices methods that include body strengthening and conditioning, its basic approach to fighting (distance, stickiness, power generation, etc.), and partner drills. Gōjū-ryū incorporates both circular and linear movements into its curriculum.
There are two years that define the way Goju-ryu has been considered by the Japanese establishment: the first, 1933, is the year Gōjū-ryū was officially recognized as a budo in Japan by Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, in other words, it was recognized as a modern martial art, or gendai budo. The second year, 1998, is the year the Dai Nippon Butoku kai recognized Goju-ryu Karatedo as an ancient form of martial art (koryu) and as a Bujutsu. This recognition as a koryu bujutsu shows a change in how Japanese society sees the relationships between Japan, Okinawa and China. Until before 1998, only martial arts practiced in mainland Japan by samurai had been accepted as koryu bujutsu.
Chojun Miyagi
Cho
jun Miyagi (宮城 長順, April 25, 1888—October 8, 1953) was a Ryukyuan martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu school of karate. He was born in Naha, Okinawa and was the adopted son of a wealthy businessman. Miyagi began his study in karate at the age of nine (or eleven). He first learned martial arts from Ryuko Aragaki, who then introduced him to Naha-te Master Kanryo Higashionna when Miyagi was 14. Under the tutelage of this Master, Miyagi underwent a very long and ardous period of training.
Chojun Miyagi
Born April 27, 1888
Flag of Japan Naha, Okinawa
Died October 8, 1953
Flag of Japan Okinawa
Martial art practiced Goju-ryu
Teacher(s) Kanryo Higashionna, Ryuko Aragaki
Rank Sōke, Founder of Goju-ryu
Notable students An'Ichi Miyagi, Gogen Yamaguchi, Seiko Higa, Seikichi Toguchi, So Nei Chu, Ei'ichi Miyazato, Meitoku Yagi
After the death of Master Kanryo Higashionna, Miyagi travelled to Fukien Province in China as his teacher had done before him. In China he studied the Shaolin and Pa Kua forms of Chinese boxing. From the blending of these systems, the hard linear/external form of Shaolin, the soft circular/internal form of Pa Kua, and his native Naha-Te, a new system emerged. However, it was not until 1929 that Chojun Miyagi named the system Goju-ryu, meaning hard-soft style.
After some years in China, Chōjun Miyagi returned to Naha where he opened a dojo (training hall). He taught for many years, and even though Miyagi's reputation as a karate man was enormous, and even Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo, came to Okinawa to learn specific karate takedowns, his greatest achievements lie in popularization and the organization of karate teaching methods. He introduced karate into Okinawa police work, high schools and other fields of society. He revised and further developed Kata Sanchin - the hard aspect of Goju, and created Kata Tensho - the soft aspect. These kata are considered to contain the essence of the Goju-ryu style. The highest kata, Suparimpei is said to contain the full syllabus of Goju-ryu kata. Shisochin was Miyagi's favorite kata at the end of his years. Tensho was influenced by the White Crane kata Ryokushu, which he learned from his long-time friend Gokenki. With a goal of unification of various karate styles which was in fashion at that time (see Funakoshi Gichin for his works in Japan), he also created more Shurite-like katas Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni in 1940, taking techniques from higher forms (notably Suparimpe also upper block was uncommon for Goju-ryu at that time) and incorporating them into a shorter forms. It is said he created these kata to bridge the gap between Sanchin-kata and Saifa kata, which contains much more complex moves compared to Sanchin kata. However, Gekisai katas are learned before Sanchin-kata now.
Chōjun Miyagi was a man of extremely mild temperament and it is said that he was a very humble man. He lived according to the principles of martial arts, that of non-violence. Master Miyagi died in Okinawa on October 8, 1953 from second heart-attack (first took place on 1951).
Some of his more notable students were Seiko Higa (also a student of Kanryo Higaonna), Seikichi Toguchi (founder of the Shorei-Kan dojo), Miyazato Ei'ichi (founder of the Jundokan dojo), Meitoku Yagi (founder of the Meibukan dojo, he eventually accepted late master Miyagi's gi and obi from Miyagi's family), Tatsuo Shimabuku (founder of Isshin-ryū), and in Japan, Gogen Yamaguchi (founder of Goju-kai and who, after short training with Miyagi, spent later most of his time studying katas under Meitoku Yagi while being himself a representative of Goju-ryu in Japan).
Koryu Bujutsu
The names goju ryu and karate are recent, but the art is older. The Okinawan name for their XIX century martial art was toudi or to, meaning Tang (a Chinese dinasty) or Chinese; and te, meaning hand[citation needed]. In Okinawa there were three main toudi tendencies: Naha-te (or nafadi), Tomari-te and Shuri-te. Goju-ryu comes from Naha-te.
As stated before, in 1998, the Dai Nippon Butoku kai recognized Goju-ryu Karatedo as an ancient form of martial art, or koryu, and Goju-ryu Karatedo was also the first Okinawa Martial Art to berecognized as Bujutsu 2. The origins of this art explain this recognition: there are three possible sources for the ancient Naha-te or Goju-ryu. The first source would be the old Okinawan fighting arts. The second source would be different Southern Chinese schools of martial arts known by Okinawan travelers such as Higashionna Kanryo sensei. The third source would be a Chinese school of martial arts established in Naha at the beginning of the XIX century. These sources may well complement each other.
• Okinawan fighting arts:
In Okinawa there were five old native fighting arts which, blended with Southern Chinese martial arts, gave birth to toudi. First, ti'gwa, a percussive art originated in Siam and imported to Okinawa during its early period of inter-cultural commerce. Second Kata or Hsing/Xing from Southern/Fujian-based quanfa. Third, Tuite (torite, chin na or qinna), or joint locks to seize or control opponents, used by law enforcement officials. Fourth, Tegumi or Okinawan wrestling and grappling. Fifth, Buki'gwa or weapons arts, which was severely limited after the weapons ban in 1609. One of the main components and sources of Okinawan karate is the above mentioned native tradition called "tuite": grappling, joint locks and breaks, throws, sweeps, which often led to ground fighting. These techniques were widely practiced in Ryūkyū's small villages and were blended with Chinese martial arts to give birth to karate. In kata, usually low stances and/or hands in chambers are the signs of a technique of this kind.
The use of "soft" techniques in the Gōjū-ryū kata tensho reveals an influence from one or more White Crane schools. Traditionally,[citation needed] Goju-ryu is considered a descendant of the Fujian White Crane style (known as "Fujian Bai He" in Chinese). From White Crane, Gōjū-ryu takes the circular movements and fast strikes. From Tiger Style, Gōjū-ryu takes the strong linear attacks and the tiger claw pinching (especially in kyusho-jitsu). There are two theories about how these Chinese influences contributed to the birth of Goju-ryu:
• Southern Chinese arts studied in China:
The late 19th century saw the great karate masters going back to China for a "martial-arts pilgrimage" of sorts. The development of Gōjū ryū goes back to Kanryo Higashionna, (1853–1916), a native of Naha, Okinawa. As a teenager he trained with an Okinawan master named Arakaki Seisho. Later in life he traveled to Fuzhou in Fujian Province, China, where he studied wushu and kempo from various teachers, primarily a kung fu master called Ryū Ryū Ko (or Liu Liu Ko, or To Ru Ko; the name is uncertain.) This great master taught a handful of Okinawan students who went on to become karate legends. Some sources have identified him as Xie Zhongxiang, second generation master of Whooping Crane Kung Fu and a student of Pan Yuba.
Higashionna returned to Okinawa during the middle of the Meiji Era (1868–1911) and continued in the family business of selling firewood, while teaching a new school of martial arts, distinguished by its integration of gō-no (hard) and jū-no (soft) kempo into one system. Higashionna's style was known as Naha-te. Gojukai history considers that Chinese Nanpa Shorin-ken was the strain of kung fu that influenced this style. As such, this style and that of Uechi Ryū were built upon a similar foundation.
• Southern Chinese arts studied in Okinawa:
According to Fernando Câmara, both Goju and Uechi may have come from a specific school of Quan Fa in Okinawa, established in Naha around 1828. Câmara says that Miyagi Chojun, in his "Karate-do Gaisetsu" (1934), didn't mention Higashionna Kanryo, but a Chinese school stablished in Naha as Goju-ryu's originator. Câmara gives us the names of some prominent masters of this school: Sakiyama, Aragaki Seisho, Kojo Taitei, Nakaima, and Higashionna, and he thinks that Ryu Ryu Ko may have been one of the advisers of this school, along with Iwah, Wai Shin Zan, and others.
According to Chojun Miyagi: "In 1828, our ancestors inherited a kung fu style of Fujian province in China. They continued their studies and formed Goju-ryu Karate. Even today, there still exists an orthodox group which inherited genuine and authentic Goju-Ryu karate. It should be noted that, to Miyagi, there is a continuity from the 1828 kung fu group to the 1936 orthodox gojuka group, and that he considered that both groups were one and the same, and therefore according to Miyagi Chojun, Higashionna Kanryo effectively was not the origin of Goju-ryu, but the person who passed down the system to Miyagi. This leads to a question: who were the first non-orthodox gojuka, Higashionna Kanryo or Miyagi Chojun It is known that Miyagi changed the system when he adapted it to modern times, and it is said that Higashionna traveled to China and brought back some kata. It is also part of the historical tradition of Goju-ryu that Higashionna changed the kata by using fists instead of open hand techniques in order to adapt his art to physical education courses in Okinawan high schools.
Gendai budo
In 1933, Gōjū-ryū was the first Karate school officially recognized as budo in Japan by Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and the only style of Karate with a full historical representation in both Okinawa and Japan. This recognition places Goju-ryu Karatedo among the modern martial arts, or gendai budo.
Higashionna's most prominent student was Chojun Miyagi (1888–1953) who began training under Higashionna at the age of 12. After Higashionna's death Miyagi sailed to China and studied there for several years, returning to Naha in 1918. Many of Higashionna's students continued to train with him, including Higa Seiko (1898–1966). However, Higashionna's most senior student Juhatsu Kyoda, who studied under Higashionna one month longer than Miyagi, formed a school he called Tōon-ryū (Tōon is another way of pronouncing the Chinese characters of Higashionna's name, so Tōon-ryū means "Higashionna's style"), preserving more of Higashionna's approach to Naha-te.
The name Goju-ryu Karate (Go means "hard"; jū means "soft") literally means "hard soft school of karate." The naming of Gōjū-ryū came about more by accident than design. In 1930, numerous martial arts masters asked Chojun Miyagi’s top student, Jin’an Shinzato, while in Tokyo as to what school of martial arts he practiced. As Naha-Te had no formal name he came up with the impromptu name "Hanko Ryū" (Half-Hard Style). On his return to Okinawa he reported this incident to Chojun Miyagi, who, after much consideration, decided on the name Gōjū-ryū (hard and soft school) as a name for his style. Chojun Miyagi took the name Gōjū-ryū from a line of the poem Hakku Kenpo, which roughly means: "The eight laws of the fist", and describes the eight precepts of the martial arts. This poem was part of the Bubishi, a classical Chinese text on martial arts and medicine. The line in the poem that contains Gōjū reads: "Ho wa Gōjū wa Donto su", which means: "the way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness", or "everything in the universe inhales soft and exhales hard".
Kata / bunkai
In kata, each movement can be interpreted as different techniques and its applications. Kata is to be understood as a "living textbook" in which karate proper—its techniques and philosophy—is passed down. The practice of kata itself provides the practitioner a sense of structure and possibilities to use in a real fight. Bunkai, on the other hand, is the analysis—or interpretation (oyo-bunkai)—of kata movements. After the analysis of bunkai, karateka usually practice two or more person drills to ingrain the application in the muscle memory, which makes sense of sequences of movements in kata forms. Techniques-within-techniques are revealed through constant practice of kata and bunkai.
The kata taught in Gōjū-ryū are rather traditional and in most organizations are emphasized more than actual kumite (or free sparring). This emphasis in kata is also an emphasis in bunkai, the actual self-defense application of the kata movements. The self-defense approach explains why Gōjū-ryū does not emphasize free sparring and its limiting rules.
Kata detractors say that these kata are useless in a real fighting situation, while proponents say they are failing to realize what the purpose of kata and bunkai is. This conflict of views is due to the sport emphasis of gendai budo and the fighting emphasis of koryu bujutsu. As gendai budo, the practice of karate kata is focused in performance and channeled through performative sport-oriented tournaments. This way of practicing kata ultimately makes it useless for self defense. On the other hand, as bujutsu, the practice of kata is focused not only on performance but also in the fighting knowledge codified in it. So the term "kata practice" has two totally different meanings: as gendai budo it is performance; as bujutsu, it is performance and self defense application.
Kihongata
Kihongata means a "kata of basics". It is intended to teach basic movements and technique so that the karate-ka is ready for the Heishugata learning stage.
• Sanchin kata : Sanchin kata is the foundation to all other Gōjū kata, it is also the foundation of body conditioning. First variation of Sanchin-kata (sanchingata dai-ichi) serves as Kihongata. See more on Sanchin kata below.
Heishugata
Heishugata means "kata with closed hands" or "fundamental kata". This kata teaches fundamentals (i.e. not only basics of movement but also principles) of the style while basics are learned during Kihongata. Traditionally, Kaishugata was taught as a second kata, or a "specialty kata" of a student, after Heishugata (e.g. Sanchin-kata and/or Tensho-kata for Naha-te or Naifanchi-kata for Shuri-te and Tomari-te is learned (sometimes it could take up to three years). Ranking (dan/kyu) and current kata curriculum with grading was established only after 1953, i.e. after Miyagi-sensei's death.
• Sanchin kata : Sanchin kata (三戦, サンチン) has the simplest techniques, and yet is arguably the most difficult to master of all Gōjū kata. Sanchin is often taught as a black belt kata, yet it is simple enough to teach at the white belt level. This is often done in order to prepare the student for this kata by the time he or she reaches black belt.
Only one stance is used—the sanchin (meaning "three battles") stance, from which a name of the kata is derivative now (initially it was named as Peppuren 1. Sanchin-dachi is a practical stance, and yet is the most difficult stance to master. The legs protect the body from sweep kicks, the thighs are to trap low kicks. According to a tai chi manual ("Zhengzi 13 postures"), the punch draws its power from the earth through the legs—the flip of the hips enables the strength of the whole body to be channeled and focused into one punch.
Properly employed, Sanchin kata follows the "hard" style of karate—all the muscles are to be flexed and tensed throughout the kata—actually making it the most strenuous kata. This type of strength training, taught for thousands of years, is only recently understood in Western science and is known as "isometric training" in bodybuilding.
In Chinese training, Sanchin kata also introduces the student to the use of "qi" (Japanese "ki") for training and fighting applications. It can be understood to be a form of "qigong" as employed in Chinese Wushu. Many western interpretations of qi/ki explain it as an enhanced understanding of internal body dynamics and muscle control through repeated and strenuous training.
In Gōjū, there are two sanchin kata: the first one, Miyagi's sanchin (or "sanchin dai ichi"), the most widely taught as initial and Kihongata, was created for such purpose by Chojun Miyagi, and has no turns so the karateka goes forward and then backwards. The second sanchin, Higashionna's sanchin (or "sanchin dai ni") is a full-version Sanchingata and is older and was taught by Higashionna Kanryo. In this kata the karateka always goes forward, but turns 180 degrees twice. Initially it was taught with open hands, as sanchin-kata still is in Uechi-ryu, but later it was also revised to closed fists by Miyagi's co-student Juhatsu Kyoda, founder of To'on-ryu, and adopted by Chojun Miyagi as well.
This kata was adopted by other styles such as Isshin-ryū.
• Tensho kata : Tensho (転掌, テンショウ) was created in 1921 as "softer sanchin" by Chojun Miyagi to balance Go aspect of Heishugata (Sanchin-kata) with Ju variation for Heishugata. Tensho means "revolving hands." It is a combination of hard dynamic tension with deep breathing and soft flowing hand movements, and is very characteristic of the Gōjū-ryū style. Some styles calls it as Rokkishu and it was created from some movements taken from Hakutsuru, although more careful analysis suggest that it might be Miyagi's personal interpretation of Kakufa-kata that was in Higashionna's syllabus but is omitted in Gōjū-ryū now.
Kaishugata
Kaishugata means a "kata with open hands." This is a more advanced from Heishugata type. Kaishugata serves as a "combat application reference" kata and is open to vast interpretation (Bunkai) of its movements purpose (hence, "open hands").
• Saifa : Sai-fa (砕破, サイファー) means "to destroy and defeat." This kata is the first traditional Gōjū-ryū's Kaishugata. It is usually first taught at gokyu to sankyu levels (green to brown belt). The first three moves are the signature of the kata—a wrist-grab-throw technique that is very similar to Aikido's iriminage technique. Saifa teaches, among other things, how to counter being grabbed by one or two opponents. The centrepiece of the kata is the crane kick movement. The layout of the footwork is similar to Taikokyū kata.
• Seiunchin : Sei-un-chin (制引戦, セイユンチン) means "Attack, Conquer, suppress (also referred to as "to control and pull into battle")". This kata is typically taught at sankyu to ikkyu levels (brown belt). Seiunchin kata demonstrates the use of techniques to unbalance, throw and grapple, contains close-quartered striking, sweeps, take-downs and throws. Though the kata itself is devoid of kicks, many practitioners make the grave mistake by missing the opportunity to apply any leg technique, not discovering a "hidden bunkai" in it. Though almost invisible to the untrained eye, the subtleness of ashi barai and suri ashi can represent footsweeps, parries and traps. The centrepiece of Seiunchin kata is a stance taken directly from the White Crane style. This kata has been adopted by other Okinawan styles such as Isshin-ryū.
• Shisochin : Shi-so-chin (四向戦, シソーチン) means "to destroy in four directions" or "fight in four directions" and emphasizes the power of Gōjū-ryū, the hard and the soft, and integrates it into one. It is a switch between long distance combat (Shotei zuki-palm punch) and close quarter combat (Nukite - or knife hand - and armlocks).
Miyagi Chojun called Shisochin his favorite kata when he was getting old, as he believed it to be best suited to his body type at that time.
• Sanseiru : San-sei-ru (三十六手, サンセイルー) means "36 Hands" and is taught at higher black belt levels. It is said the number 36, along with numbers 13, 18, 54 (e.g. kata Gojushiho in other styles), and 108 that provided names to other kata, is based on Buddhist mythology. Thirty-six representing 6×6, the first six being eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and spirit and the second six, colour, voice, smell, taste, touch and justice. However, this is not entirely accepted and taught. The kata teaches complex punching combinations, employs many entry, joint attacks and defenses against kicking attacks.
• Sepai : Se-pai (十八手, セイパイ) means "18 Hands". This kata is one of four (Sepai, Kururunfa, Seisan, and Suparinpei) that are more subtle and contain more hidden moves. The true meaning of a kata becomes clear only when one learns the application of it (Bunkai). In Sepai, and the three that follow, the applications are not immediately clear. Techniques were deliberately masked within these kata so that bystanders were not able to fully comprehend the depth of the applications being practiced. Sepai kata incorporates both the four directional movements and 45° angular attacks and, as in Shisochin, implements techniques for both long distance and close quarter combat. This was a Seikichi Toguchi's specialty kata.
• Seisan : Sei-san (十三手, セイサン) means "13 Hands." This kata contains many unusual techniques and demonstrates the difference between Go (Hard) and Ju (Soft). Seisan is thought to be one of the oldest kata quite spread among other Nahate schools. Shito-ryu has its own version and different versions are now practised even in Shurite derivatives like Shotokan (called Hangetsu) and in Wado-ryu (called Seishan). Seisan was a favourite kata of Jin'an Shinzato and his specialty kata initially. This kata was adopted by other styles such as Isshin-ryū.
• Kururumfa : Ku-ru-rum-fa (久留頓破, クルルンファー) means "holding on long and striking suddenly" and its techniques are based on Chinese Praying Mantis style. Initial idea was to have a "counter-style" against other "traditional Shaolin-type styles" where each kata could be considered as a representative of such particular "style" (or expression of certain strategy in fighting). It was Ei'ichi Miyazato's specialty kata.
• Suparimpei: Su-pa-rim-pei (壱百零八, スーパーリンペイ) means "108 Hands. The most advanced and intricate kata of the Gōjū-ryū system now. While initially it was known as Pitchurrin and had three levels to master (Go, Chu, and Jo), later Miyagi left only one, the highest, "Jo" level. This was a Meitoku Yagi's specialty kata.
Fukyugata
This type of kata is not traditional Gōjū-ryū kata and means "promotional kata" or "common kata for the all styles of karate". The purpose of Fukyugata was to unify all karate styles in one so to make Karate as a general and more standardized Japanese-like art for the sake of popularization as was done with Kendo and Judo.
• Gekisai : Ge-ki-sai (撃砕, げきさい) means "to destroy" or "attack and destroy". The first Gekisai was developed as a Fūkyū Kata to be practiced by Gōjū-ryu and other Ryu (notably, Shorin-Ryū). This Fūkyū Kata (Gekisai-dai-ichi, the first) was created by Miyagi Chojun after 1936 as Fukyugata Ni, while another Fūkyū Kata, not practiced by Gōjū-ryū nowadays, was developed by Nagamine Shoshin (Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryū) as Fukyugata Ichi. Miyagi created also Gekisai-dai-ni, richer in Gōjū-ryū stances and techniques and was intended by him to become common kata Fukyugata San. However, WWII put all revisions on hold and works were not resumed after the war was over.
The Gekisai kata (Gekisai Ichi and Gekisai Ni) are usually first taught at hachikyū or rokukyū levels (yellow to green belt). Gekisai kata integrates kicking with blocks, strikes, and punches. It introduces the use of tensho technique, how to move in eight directions, side-stepping, back-stepping, and the use of the cat stance neko ashi dachi (in Gekisai-dai-ni, the second). It comes close to the idea of irimi, or "entering" techniques, used in Aikido. It should be noted that there are now in some schools three versions of this Kata, Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni and Gekisai Dai San. Gekisai Dai Ni incorporates slightly "softer" techniques, although it follows a similar pattern to that of Gekisai Dai Ichi. Gekisai Dai Ni involves the use of techniques of higher difficulty (especially open-handed techniques), thus making it applicable to only blue, brown and black belts in some schools.
Other non-traditional Gōjū-ryū Kata
Some Gōjū-ryū schools have their additional, style-based kata, that are not in other Gōjū-ryū kata curriculums. Some of this extra kata are simple kihon kata (like fukyugata dai ichi or taikyoku), some are advanced kata (like Meibukan kata). Other schools of Goju (such as the Shorei-kan ) from the Touguchi branch offers extra katas such as Geikiha 1 & 2 and the Hookiyu katas 1 & 2.
• Taikyoku kata : Taikyoku katas were created by Yamaguchi Gogen who founded Gōjū Kai and is credited with popularising Gōjū in Japan. Therefore, it is not accurate to consider these kata as traditional Gōjū-ryū kata (passed or created by Miyagi). Okinawan kaiha usually do not teach them. Taikyoku are usually first taught in jukyu to ikkyu levels (white belt to brown belt). The Taikyoku katas teach basic block and attack pattern, and how to move in four directions. These are taikyoku kata:
Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate Introduction Part 1
Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate Introduction Part 2
Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate Introduction Part 3
Goju-ryu karate with amazing demonstration video
Gyokkushin-Ryu ninjutsu history
The Gyokushin Ryu was taught in secret in the Kishu and Takeda provinces, and sometime in the 17th century it came into contact with the Togakure Ryu and the Toda family. The exact circumstances are not known, but when the style passed to Toda Nobutsuna, it was not kept as such a close secret from then on.
Not much is known about the fighting style of the Gyokushin Ryu. The system concentrated on more of the espionage skills and abilities of ninjutsu than on hand to hand combat. This is common among ninjutsu systems. Gyokushin Ryu is known for its superior use of the Nagenawa, a lasso.
Kano Jigero, the founder of Judo, was a friend of Takamatsu Sensei. It is thought that he taught at the Kodokan school as a guest instructor, and what he taught was Gyokushin Ryu. The style passed by Takamatsu Sensei to Masaaki Hatsumi along with many other styles of kobujutsu.
Koga-ryu history
Koka-ryu is a school of ninjutsu. It is one of the most well-known schools of ninjutsu, along with Iga-ryū. It originated from the town of Kōka, modern Kōka City in Shiga Prefecture.
While the town of Kōka was under the jurisdiction of the Rokkaku clan, it was a kind of autonomous municipality composed of peasant unions, then called sō . All important decisions in the municipality were made by a majority vote from the union representatives. This kind of system was very uncommon for the period in question.
Members of the Koka School of shinobi were trained in disguise, escape, concealment, explosives, medicines and poisons. They were trained in techniques of unarmed combat and in the use of various weapons such as shuriken and ninjatō swords. Ninja swords were shorter than the katana worn by Samurai. The ninja used scaling hooks for climbing and supposedly used special "water-walking shoes" and the famous ninja tabi's.
The ninjas of the Koka-ryu were divided into three classes: high ninjas (Jonin), middle ninjas (Chunin) and low ninjas (Genin).History
Near the end of the Muromachi period, Sasaki Rokkaku of Ōmi Province, using the castle of Kannonji as a base, started to steadily build up military might. He made light of commands from the Ashikaga shogunate, and eventually began to ignore the shogunate altogether. In 1487, General Ashikaga Yoshihisa brought with him an army to stamp out this rebellion, and a battle between Ashikaga and Rokkaku’s camps ensued.
Ashikaga mobilized daimyo from several provinces in the castle of Kannonji, the headquarters of the Rokkaku; as a result, Rokkaku Masayori and Rokkaku Takayori (Masayori's son) were forced to flee to the castle of Kōka. The factual accuracy of their escape is debated and it is likely that they gave up the town to avoid a direct confrontation instead. Ashikaga then moved his base to Anshiyoji of Kurita District and attacked the castle of Kōka. Kōka fell, but the Rokkaku duo escaped and ordered the Kōka warriors who followed them to mount a heavy resistance against Ashikaga using guerrilla warfare. Exploiting their geographical advantage in the mountains, the Kōka warriors launched a wide range of surprise attacks against Ashikaga’s forces, and tormented them by using fire and smoke on Ashikaga’s camp during the night.
The guerilla warfare prevented a final showdown, until Ashikaga died in battle in 1489, ending the three-year conflict and sparing the lives of the Rokkaku duo. The elusive and effective guerilla warfare used by the Kōka warriors became well-known throughout the whole country.
As a result of this victory, the local samurai in the 53 families who participated in this battle were called "the 53 families of Koka".
This also marked the first time that the ninja of Kōka were drafted as a regular army by their lord. Previously, they were only mercenaries and it was not uncommon to have warriors from Kōka on both sides of a battle.
Current status
Arts of the Koga Shinobi
The Koga Ninja practiced many of the same arts as their Iga counterparts. The Koga had separated the arts so they could practice solely on what was needed for certain situations. Instead of mixing all the teachings, separating them allowed them to focus, yet they used them together in a lethal combination. Some of these arts were taught among the Samurai, but because the Koka Ninja were drafted as mercenaries or a actual army, they were taught some of what the Samurai knew as well.
* Dakentaijutsu: Striking Body Art
* Taihenjutsu: Moving Body Art
* Jutaijutsu: Flexible Body Art
* Koppojutsu: Striking Bone Art (Form of Dakentaijutsu)
* Koshijutsu: Striking Muscle Art (Form of Dakentaijutsu)
* Kyushojutsu: Vital Point Art
* Dakentaijutsu Gokui Atemi Sakkatsuho Zukai: Secret Killing Strikes Art
* Kenjutsu: Sword Art
* Battojutsu: Sword Drawing Art
* Iaijutsu: Immediate Reaction Art
* Kukushi Bukijutsu: Hidden Weapons Art
* Kyujutsu: Archery Art
* Bojutsu: Staff Art
* Jojutsu: Short Staff Art
* Sojutsu: Spear Art
* Naginatajutsu: Staff Blade Art
* Kusarigamajutsu: Staff Chain Sickle Art
* Kayakujutsu: Gunpowder Art
* Suirenjutsu: Water Survival Art
* Suijutsu: Swimming Art
* Bajutsu: Horsemanship Art
* Hensojutsu: Chameleon Art
* Shinobi-irijutsu: Stealth and Entering Methods Art
* Intonjutsu: Escaping and Concealment Art
* Hojojutsu: Rope Tying Art
* Shruikenjutsu: Throwing Weapon Art
* Ninpo Karumijutsu: Body Lightening Art
* Hichojutsu: Jumping Art
* Angou: Signaling
* Jouhou Kaishuu: Information Gathering
* Kyuba: Mounted Archery
* Boryaku: Military Strategy
* Choho: Espionage
* Tenmon: Meteorology
* Chimon: Geography
* Seishin Teki Kyoko: Spiritual Refinement
Shotokan With Awsome Demo video clips
Shotokan is a school of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi is widely recognized as having brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan, although Kenwa Mabuni, Chōki Motobu, and other Okinawan karate masters were actively teaching karate in Japan prior to this point.
Shotokan is one of the five traditional karate styles,[citation needed] the others being Goju-ryu, Shitō-ryu, Shōrin-ryu and Wado-ryu. Although it began as a unified karate school that developed into the Japan Karate Association, Shotokan now exists as several independent organizations.
Shoto meaning "pine waves", was Funakoshi's pen-name, which he used in his poetic and philosophical writings and messages to his students. The Japanese kan means "house" or "hall". In honour of their sensei, Funakoshi's students created a sign reading shoto-kan which was placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught.Gichin Funakoshi never gave his style a name, just calling it "karate".
Gichin Funakoshi founder Shotokan-ryu.
Gichin Funakosh
i (November 10, 1868 – April 26, 1957) was the creator of Shotokan karate and is attributed as being the "father of modern karate". Following in the teachings of Anko Asato and Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921.
Gichin Funakoshi was born in Shuri, Okinawa in the year of the Meiji Restoration around 1868 and originally had the family name Tominakoshi. After entering primary school he became close friends with the son of Ankō Azato, a karate and kendo master who would soon become his first karate teacher.
Stiff opposition of Funakoshi's family to the abolition of the Japanese "topknot" meant he would be ineligible to pursue his goal of attending medical school. Being trained in both classical Chinese and Japanese philosophies and teachings, Funakoshi became an assistant teacher in Okinawa. During this time, his relations with the Azato family grew and he began nightly travels to the Azato family residence to receive karate instruction from Anko Azato.
Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan karate of the time: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu. His own style was influenced by kendo distancing and timing.
By the late 1910's, Funakoshi had many students, of which a few were deemed capable of passing on their master's teachings. In the 1920s, Funakoshi adopted the Kyu/Dan rank system and the uniform (keikogi) developed by Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo. This system uses colored belts (obi) to indicate rank. Originally, karate had only three belt colors: white, brown, and black (with ranks within each). Continuing his effort to garner wide-spread interest in Okinawan karate, Funakoshi ventured to mainland Japan in 1922.
In 1936, Funakoshi built the first Shōtōkan dojo in Tokyo. He changed the name of karate to mean "empty hand" instead of "China hand" (as referred to in Okinawa); the two words sound the same in Japanese, but are written differently. It was his belief that using the term for "Chinese" mislead people into thinking karate originated with Chinese boxing. Karate had borrowed many aspects from Chinese boxing which the original creators say as being positive, as they had done with other martial arts. In addition, Funakoshi argued in his autobiography that a philosophical evaluation of the use of "empty" seemed to fit as it implied a way which was not tethered to any other physical object.
Funakoshi's take on the use of kara was reported to have caused some recoil in Okinawa, prompting Funakoshi to remain in Tokyo indefinitely. His extended stay eventually led to the creation of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1955 with Funakoshi as the chief instructor. Funakoshi was not supportive of all of the changes that the organization eventually made to his karate style. He remained in Tokyo until his death in 1957. After World War II, Funakoshi's surviving students formalized his teachings.
The original belt system, still used by Shotokan Karate of America, is:
Shotokan training is usually divided into three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms or patterns of moves), and kumite (sparring). Techniques in kihon and kata are characterized by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs. Strength and power are often demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. Kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to being more flexible with greater experience. Shotokan can be regarded as a 'hard' and 'external' martial art.
Gichin Funakoshi laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate,(or niju kun) which form the foundations of the art, before his students established the JKA. Within these twenty principles, based heavily on Bushido and Zen, lies the philosophy of Shotokan.
The principles allude to notions of humility, respect, compassion, patience, and both an inwardly and outwardly calmness. It was Funakoshi's belief that through karate practice and observation of these 20 principles, the karateka would improve their person.
Many shotokan students typically recite the Dojo kun at the end of each class:
Kata
Kata is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, kata is not a performance or a demonstration, but is for individual karateka to practice full techniques—with every technique potentially a killing blow (ikken hisatsu)—while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm). As the karateka grows older, more emphasis is placed on the health benefits of practicing kata, promoting fitness while keeping the body soft, supple, and agile.
Several Shotokan groups have introduced kata from other styles into their training, but when the JKA was formed, Nakayama laid down 27 kata as the kata syllabus for this organization. Even today, thousands of Shotokan dojo only practice these 27 kata. The standard kata are:
Kumite, or sparring, is the practical application of kata to real opponents. While the techniques used in sparring are only slightly different than kihon, the formalities of kumite in Shotokan karate were first instituted by Masatoshi Nakayama wherein basic, intermediate, and advanced sparring techniques and rules were formalized.
Shotokan practitioners first learn how to apply the techniques taught in kata to "hypothetical" opponents by way of kata bunkai. Kata bunkai then matures into controlled kumite.
Beginners normally commence kumite training with five-step sparring (gohon kumite) or three-step sparring (sanbon kumite). These exercises require two training partners. Partners begin kumite with a bow and the attacker steps back into a front stance (zenkutsu dachi) while executing a downward block (gedan-barai), and announces the imminent attack in a clear, audible fashion. The first type of five-step sparring is designated high-level (jodan), where the attacker will subsequently execute a high lunge punch (oi-zuki). The defender then steps back and executes a rising block (age-uke) to block the attack. The training partners repeat this sequence until the fifth punch, when the defender then executes a minor counter-attack in the form of a reverse punch (gyaku-zuki). The defender is expected to kiai with the counter-attack. The next step is for the training partners to return to ready position (yoi) and the defender now becomes the attacker (and vice versa), repeating the sequence above. Another type of five-step sparring is designated mid-level (chudan). The differences are that the attacking partner uses mid-level punches and the defender uses outside mid-level blocks (soto-uke). An alternative sequence of attacks may be used at this level, in which the attacker executes a series of front snap kicks (mae geri), while the defender uses downward blocks (gedan-barai).
At intermediate level, usually above 5th kyū, karateka learn one-step sparring (ippon kumite). Though there is only one step involved, rather than three or five, this exercise is more advanced because it involves a greater variety of attacks and blocks. It also requires the defender to execute a counter-attack faster than in the earlier types of sparring. Counter-attacks may be almost anything, including strikes, grapples, and take-down maneuvers.
The next level of kumite is freestyle one-step sparring (jiyu ippon kumite). This type of kumite, and its successor--free sparring, have been documented extensively by Nakayama and are expanded upon by the JKA instructor trainee program, for those clubs under the JKA. Freestyle one-step sparring is similar to one-step sparring but requires the karateka to be in motion. Practicing one-step sparring improves free sparring (jiyu kumite) skills, and also provides an opportunity for practicing major counter-attacks (as opposed to minor counter-attacks). Tsutomu Ohshima states that freestyle one-step sparring is the most realistic practice in Shotokan karate, and that it is more realistic than free sparring.
Free sparring (jiyu kumite) is the last element of sparring to be learned. In this exercise, two training partners are free to use any karate technique or combination of attacks, and the defender at any given moment is free to avoid, block, counter, or attack with any karate technique. Training partners are encouraged to make controlled and focused contact with their opponent, but to withdraw their attack as soon as surface contact has been made. This allows a full range of target areas to be attacked (including punches and kicks to the face, head, throat, and body) with no padding or protective gloves, but maintains a degree of safety for the participants. Throwing one's partner and performing takedowns are permitted in free sparring, however it is unusual for competition matches to involve extended grappling or ground-wrestling, as Shotokan karateka are encouraged to end an encounter with a single attack, avoiding extended periods of conflict or unnecessary contact.
Kaishu ippon kumite is an additional sparring exercise that is usually introduced for higher grades. This starts in a similar manner to freestyle one-step sparring; the attacker names the attack he/she will execute, attacks with that technique, and the defender blocks and counters the attack. Unlike freestyle one-step sparring, however, the attacker must then block the defender's counter-attack and strike back. This exercise is often considered more difficult than either freestyle one-step sparring or free sparring, as the defender typically cannot escape to a safe distance in time to avoid the counter to the counter-attack.
Japan Karate Association
The Japan Karate Asso
ciation (JKA; "Nihon Karate Kyokai" in Japan) was the first formal Shotokan organization, formed by the Shotokan karate clubs of Japanese universities. Takushoku University provided the most members initially, but Hosei, Waseda, Gakushuin, and Keio Universities also contributed members. Masatoshi Nakayama (1913–1987) led the JKA, with Gichin Funakoshi holding a position equivalent to Professor Emeritus. The JKA grew to be one of the biggest karate organizations in the world. Differences between senior instructors and administrators gave rise to several breakaway groups, with the JKA itself eventually dividing into two factions. Nobuyuki Nakahara, Ueki Masaaki, Tanaka Masahiko, Yoshiharu Osaka and others led one faction, while Asai Tetsuhiko led the other. Following legal battles, the Nakahara group retained control of the JKA. The following sections describe some of the Shotokan organizations that descended from the JKA. The founders of these organizations are some of the most senior Shotokan instructors in the world.
Masatoshi Nakayama (1913–1987) was a high-ranking master of Shotokan karate-dō the first who achieved the rank of 10th dan.
Nakayama was born in the Yamaguchi prefecture. He began studying karate after enrolling in Takushoku University in 1932, where he trained under Gichin Funakoshi and Funakoshi's son Gigo. Nakayama had studied Chinese language at the University and went to China as an interpreter and interogator as part of the Japanese invasion of China in 1937; he was repatriated to Japan in 1946.
Shotokan Karate of America
Tsutomu Ohshima (1930–present), 5th dan (the rank Funakoshi awarded him, and the rank he has retained by choice), is head of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), a non-profit organization that has been teaching traditional karate-do in the United States since 1955. Ohshima was believed to have been given permission by Gichin Funakoshi to bring Shotokan karate to the USA. Ohshima is also recognized as the chief instructor of many other SKA-affiliated Shotokan organizations worldwide. SKA maintains its national headquarters in Los Angeles and is not affiliated with the JKA.
Tsutomu Ohshima
Tsutomu 
Ohshima is the founder and Shihan of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), and is also recognized as chief instructor of many other international Shotokan organizations.
Born August 6, 1930, Ohshima began learning martial arts at the age of five. He studied sumo from the age of five until he was fifteen; kendo from eight to fifteen, and judo from nine to thirteen.
Ohshima began studying karate while a student at Waseda University, beginning in 1948, and became captain of the university's karate club in 1952. He trained under Shotokan's founder, Gichin Funakoshi, until 1953. Funakoshi personally awarded Ohshima his sandan (3rd degree black belt) rank in 1952. In 1957 Ohshima received his godan (fifth degree black belt), the highest rank awarded by Funakoshi. This remains the highest rank in SKA.
In 1952, Ohshima formalized the judging system used in modern karate tournaments. However, he cautions students that tournaments should not be viewed as an expression of true karate itself.
Ohshima left Japan in 1955 to continue his studies at UCLA. He led his first U.S. practice in 1956 and founded the first university karate club in the United States at Caltech in 1957. In 1959 he founded the Southern California Karate Association (SCKA), as additional Shotokan dojos opened. The organization was renamed Shotokan Karate of America in 1969.
Ohshima demonstrated the 19 Shotokan katas for Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text, Funakoshi's description of Shotokan. He also translated it into English in 1973, and published his own Notes on Training in 1998.
While still Shihan of SKA, Ohshima retired from Caltech in 1994. He currently lives in southern California.
Shotokan Karate-do International Federation
Hirokazu Ka
nazawa (1931–), 10th dan, was the first to break away from the JKA, and called his organization "Shotokan Karate-do International Federation" (SKIF). Kanazawa had studied under Masatoshi Nakayama and Hidetaka Nishiyama (1928–), both students of Gichin Funakoshi. SKIF introduced elements of Tai Chi Chuan, particularly in the matter of flow and balance, and actively promoted the evolution of Shotokan while maintaining the traditional core of the art. Kanazawa is considered one of the most technically brilliant Shotokan exponents, and was a top contender in competition. Most notably, he won the kumite championship at the first JKA Open Tournament (1957) with a broken hand. Kanazawa was awarded 10th dan in 2000.
Shotokan Karate Preview
Keinosuke Enoeda - 1935-2003
SHOTOKAN Clips
shotokan world championship 2008 at tokyo (promotion)
Shito ryu Karate with awsome demo video
Shito-ryu is a form of karate that was developed in 1931 by Kenwa Mabuni.
Kenwa Mabuni was born in Shuri, a district of Naha, Okinawa in 1889. Mabuni-sensei was a descendant of the famous Onigusukini samurai family. Perhaps because of his weak constitution, he began his instruction in his home town in the art of Shuri-te at the age of 13, under the tutelage of the legendary Anko Itosu (1813–1915). He trained diligently for several years, learning many kata from this great master. It was Itosu who first developed the Pinan kata, which were most probably derived from the "Kusanku" form.
One of his close friends, Sensei Chojun Miyagi (founder of Gojū-ryū) introduced Mabuni to another great of that period, Sensei Kanryo Higaonna, and began to learn Naha-te under him as well. While both Itosu and Hig
ashionna taught a "hard-soft" style of Okinawan "Te", their methods and emphases were quite distinct: the Itosu syllabus included straight and powerful techniques as exemplified in the Naifanchi and Bassai kata; the Higashionna syllabus, on the other hand, stressed circular motion and shorter fighting methods as seen in the popular Seipai and Kururunfa forms. Shito-ryu focuses on both hard and soft techniques to this day.
Although he remained true to the teachings of these two great masters, Mabuni sought instruction from a number of other teachers, including Seisho Aragaki, Tawada Shimboku, Sueyoshi Jino and Wu Xianhui (a Chinese master known as Go-Kenki). In fact, Mabuni was legendary for his encyclopaedic knowledge of kata and their bunkai applications. By the 1920s, he was regarded as the foremost authority on Okinawan kata and their history and was much sought after as a teacher by his contemporaries. There is even some evidence that his expertise was sought out in China, as well as Okinawa and mainland Japan. As a police officer, he taught local law enforcement officers and at the behest of his teacher Itosu, began instruction in the various grammar schools in Shuri and Naha.
In an effort to popularize karate in mainland Japan, Mabuni made several trips to Tokyo in 1917 and 1928. Although much that was known as "Te" (Chinese Fist) or Karate had been passed down through many generations with jealous secrecy, it was his view that it should be taught to anyone who sought knowledge with honesty and integrity. In fact, many masters of his generation held similar views on the future of Karate: Sensei Gichin Funakoshi (founder of Shotokan), another contemporary, had moved to Tokyo in the 1920s to promote their art on the mainland as well.
By 1929, Mabuni had moved to Osaka on the mainland, to become a full-time karate instructor of a style he originally called Hanko-ryu, or "half-hard style". In an effort to gain acceptance in the Japanese Butokukai, the governing body for all officially recognized martial arts in that country, he and his contemporaries decided to call their art "Karate" or "Empty Hand," rather than "Chinese Hand," perhaps to make it sound more Japanese. Around the same time, perhaps when first introducing his style to the Butokukai, is when it is believed the name of the style changed to Shito-ryu, in honour of its main influences. Mabuni derived the name for his new style from the first kanji character in their names, Itosu and Higashionna. With the support of Sensei Ryusho Sakagami (1915–1993), he opened a number of Shito-ryu dojo in the Osaka area, including Kansai University and the Japan Karatedo Kai dojo. To this day, the largest contingent of Shito-ryu practitioners in Japan is centered in the Osaka area.
Mabuni published a number of books on the subject and continued to systematize the instruction method. In his latter years, he developed a number of formal kata, such as Aoyagi, for example, which was designed specifically for women's self defense. Perhaps more than any other master in the last century, Mabuni was steeped in the traditions and history of Karate-do, yet forward thinking enough to realize that it could spread throughout the world. To this day, Shito-ryu recognizes the influences of Itosu and Higashionna: the kata syllabus of Shito Ryu is still often listed in such a way as to show the two lineages.
Kenwa Mabuni died on May 23, 1952, and the lineage of the style was disputed between his two sons, Kenzo and Kenei. Currently Shito-ryu International Karate-do Kai (also known as Seito Shito-ryu) lists Kenzo Mabuni as the second soke of Shito-ryu, while World Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation (also known as Shito-kai Shito-ryu) list Kenei Mabuni.
Shito-ryu is a combination style, which attempts to unite the diverse roots of karate. On one hand, Shito-ryu has the physical strength and long powerful stances of Shuri-te derived styles, such as Shorin Ryu and Shotokan, on the other hand Shito-ryu has circular and eight-directional movements, breathing power, hard and soft characteristics of Naha-te and Tomari-te styles, such as Goju-ryu. Shito-ryu is extremely fast, but still can be artistic and powerful. In addition, Shito-ryu formalizes and emphasizes the five rules of defense, developed by Kenwa Mabuni, and known as Uke no go gensoku, Uke no go genri or Uke no go ho:
Fumio Demura, Shito-Ryu Karate-do Self Defence
Japanese traditional Shito ryu Karate
The 5th Shito ryu wrold championship
Suparinpei by Takashi Katada
Wado-ryu Karate with Demonstration Video
Wado-ryu is a school of karate founded by Hironori Ōtsuka. Wado-ryu is one of four traditional Japanese karate styles (as opposed to Okinawan karate styles; the other major Japanese styles are Shōtōkan-ryū, Shitō-ryū and Gōjū-ryū). Originally a unified school, three organizations now teach the Wadō-ryū style: the Japan Karatedo Federation Wadōkai (abbreviated to Wadōkai; "Zen Nihon Karatedo Renmei Wadokai" in Japan), the Wadōryū Karatedō Renmei, and the Wadō Kokusai Karatedō Renmei (abbreviated to Wadō Kokusai; also known as the Wadō International Karatedō Federation [WIKF]).
Hironori Otsuka (1892–1982) created the Wadō-ryū style of karate. He was the first Grand Master of Wadō-ryū karate.
Ōtsuka was born on 1 June 
1892 in Shimodate City, Ibaraki, Japan. He was the second of four children to Tokujiro Ōtsuka. He began training in the martial art of jujutsu under the tutelage of his great-uncle, Chojiro Ebashi. Ōtsuka's father took over his martial arts education in 1897, and he began studying Shindō Yōshin-ryū jujutsu. At age 13, Ōtsuka became the student of Shinzaburo Nakayama in Shindō Yōshin-ryū.
In 1922, Ōtsuka began karate training under Gichin Funakoshi. At this time, Ōtsuka held the license menkyo kaiden in Shindō Yōshin-ryū. He also established a medical practice and specialized in treating martial arts training injuries. From 1922–1929, Ōtsuka became an assistant instructor in Funakoshi's school, and also became a registered member of the Japan Martial Arts Federation. Ōtsuka began to have philosophical disagreements with Funakoshi.[citation needed] This may have come, in part, from his decision to train with Chōki Motobu. Funakoshi's karate emphasized kata, a series of movements and techniques linked by the fighting principles. Funakoshi did not believe that sparring was necessary for realistic training. Motobu, however, emphasized the necessity of free application, and created a series of two-person kumite called yakusoku kumite.
Ōtsuka continued to gain recognition as he expanded the teaching of Wadō-ryū karate throughout Japan. In 1964, three of his students (Tatsuo Suzuki, Toru Arakawa, and Hajime Takashima) from the Nihon University Karate Club undertook a two-month tour of Europe and the USA. They performed 49 demonstrations in this period and, as a result, Suzuki was invited back to London as a resident instructor.
In 1972, Ōtsuka received the title of Meijin and the rank of 10th dan by the Japanese royal family's Higashi No Kuni no Miya, President of the Kokusai Budo Renmei (International Martial Arts Federation). It was the first such honor ever bestowed upon a karate teacher in Japan.[citation needed] Ōtsuka continued to teach and lead Wadō-ryū karate into the 1980s, and died on 29 January 1982. His son became the second Grand Master of Wadō-ryū karate and honored his father by taking the name "Hironori Ōtsuka II."
The name Wadō-ryū has three parts: Wa, dō, and ryū. Wa means "harmony," dō means "way," and ryū means "style." Harmony should not be interpreted as pacifism; it is simply the acknowledgment that yielding is sometimes more effective than brute strength.
From one point of view, Wadō-ryū might be considered a style of jujutsu rather than karate. When Hironori Ōtsuka first registered his school with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in 1938, the style was called "Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jujutsu," a name that reflects its hybrid character. Ōtsuka was a licensed Shindō Yōshin-ryū practitioner and a student of Yoshin Koryu Jujutsu when he first met the Okinawan karate master Funakoshi. After having learned from Funakoshi, and later also Okinawan masters Mabuni and Motobu, Ōtsuka merged Shindō Yōshin-ryū with Okinawan karate. The result of Ōtsuka's efforts is Wadō-ryū.
To the untrained observer, Wadō-ryū might look similar to other styles of karate, such as Shōtōkan-ryū. Most of the underlying principles, however, were derived from Shindō Yōshin-ryū. A block in Wado may look much like a block in Shotokan, but they are executed from different perspectives.
A key principle in Wadō-ryū is that of tai sabaki (often incorrectly referred to as 'evasion'). The Japanese term can be translated as "body-management," and refers to body manipulation so as to move the defender as well as the attacker out of harm's way. The way to achieve this is to 'move along' rather than to 'move against'—or harmony rather than physical strength. Modern karate competition tends to transform Wadō-ryū away from its roots towards a new generic karate that appeals more to the demands of both spectators and competitors.
Kata
Kusanku: "Sky Viewing". Kūsankū was the Okinawan name for Kwang Shang Fu, a Sapposhi (emissary of China's ruling class) sent to Okinawa in the 18th century. This kata uses stances and attacks comprising of the five previous Pinan kata. No new techniques are introduced. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Kanku Dai.
In addition to the solo kata listed above, many Wadō-ryū schools also practice paired kata, which reflects its jujutsu heritage. These paired kata are performed by two people (one as the attacker and one as the defender), demonstrating a range of self-defense techniques. The paired kata of Wadō-ryū often vary from one organization from another, because Ōtsuka did not standardize them. The paired kata are:
History of Wado-ryu Karate
Wado karate-Shihan Ishikawa 8th Dan Demonstration
Kyokushinkai kan with amazing demo video
Kyokushin kaikan (Kyokushin kaikan) is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Masutatsu Oyama (Ōyama Masutatsu) who was born under the name Choi Yong-I). Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth." Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training. Its full contact style has had international appeal (practitioners have over the last 40+ years numbered more than 12 million).
Kyokushin has influenced many of the "full-contact" schools of karate, emphasizing realistic combat, physical toughness, and practicality in its training curriculum. Many other martial arts organizations have "spun-off" from Kyokushin over the years, with some adding additional techniques, such as grappling, but continuing with the same philosophy of realistic and practical training methods.The new techniques of the grappling are still only a back up. Most fighters prefer to stand.
The following is a brief overview of the early life of Masutatsu "Mas" Oyama.
The founder of Kyokushin, Masutatsu Oyama, was born Choi Yong-i on 27 July 1923 in Il-Loong, Korea, during the long period of Japanese occupation. As a young child, Oyama enjoyed fighting watching fighters studied Korean Taekkyon.[citation needed] In 1938, he emigrated to Japan and studied Okinawan Karate under Gichin Funakoshi, eventually gaining 2nd dan. Later, Oyama also trained under Yoshida Kotaro, a famous Daito-ryu jujutsu/Yanagi-ryu Aiki-jujutsu master (from whom he received his "Menkyo kaiden" - an older form of grade, a scroll signifying mastery, from Kotaro. This scroll is still on display at the Honbu dojo in Tokyo.
Also, upon the advice of his mentor and well-known Member of the National Diet, Matsuhei Mori, around this time the young master took his Japanese name, Masutatsu Oyama, the name he would use for the rest of his life. After World War II, Oyama began his training in Goju Ryu karate under a Korean master in Japan, So Nei Chu, who ran a dojo in Tokyo along with the renowned Goju teacher, Gogen Yamaguchi. He would finally attain 8th Dan in Goju ryu karate. Another influential master he met whilst training at the Goju school was Masahiko Kimura, the renowned champion of judo who defeated Hélio Gracie. Kimura encouraged Oyama to take up judo so that he would have an understanding of the art's powerful ground skills. Kimura introduced Oyama to the Sone Dojo in Nakano, Tokyo, where he trained regularly for four years, eventually gaining his 4th Dan.
It was after this time that Oyama first retreated into the mountains for one of his well-known solitary training periods, yamagomori. He completed two such retreats for a total of almost three years of solitary training in accord with the ascetic traditions of many of the great warriors of Japan through the centuries. During this period of isolated training, Oyama engaged in intense shugyo, or spiritual discipline.
In the early fifties, Oyama traveled to the USA, visiting 32 states and demonstrating the power of his karate against all comers.
Founder of Kyokushin Karate, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama.
Founder of Kyokushin Karate, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama.
In 1953, Oyama opened his own kar
ate dojo, named "Oyama Dojo", in Tokyo but continued to travel around Japan and the world giving martial arts demonstrations, including bare-handed challenges. His first 'dojo' was a vacant lot in Mejiro, Tokyo. In 1956, Oyama moved the dojo into the ballet studio attached to the Rikkyo University. Oyama's own curriculum soon developed a reputation as a tough, intense, hard-hitting, and practical style which he named "Kyokushin" in a ceremony in 1957. As the reputation of the dojo grew, students were attracted to come to train there from Japan and beyond and numbers grew.
In 1964, Oyama moved the dojo into a building he refurbished not far from the ballet studio at Rikkyo. Oyama also formally founded the "International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan" (commonly abbreviated to IKO or IKOK), to organize the many schools that were by then teaching the Kyokushin style. This dojo at 3-3-9 Nishi-Ikebukuro, in the Toshima area of Tokyo, remains the world headquarters to this day.
1964 to 1994
After formally establishing the Kyokushinkaikan, Oyama directed the organization through a period of expansion. Oyama hand-picked instructors who displayed ability in marketing the style and gaining new members. Oyama would choose an instructor to open a dojo in another town or city in Japan. The instructor would move to that town and usually demonstrate his karate skills in public places, such as at the civic gymnasium, the local police gym (where many judo students would practice), a local park, or conduct martial arts demonstrations at local festivals or school events. In this way, the instructor would soon gain students for his new dojo. After that, word of mouth would spread through the local area until the dojo had a dedicated core of students. Oyama also sent instructors to other countries such as the Netherlands (Kenji Kurosaki), Australia (Shigeo Kato), the United States of America (Tadashi Nakamura, Shigeru and Yasuhiko Oyama, Miyuki Miura) and Brazil (Seiji Isobe) to spread Kyokushin in the same way. In 1969, Oyama staged the First All Japan Full Contact Championships and in 1975, the First Open Full Contact World Karate Championships, which took Japan by storm. From that time, world championships have been held at four-yearly intervals, although under the current confusion of self-proclaimed representative organizations, there are up to five so-called "world championships" claiming to represent Kyokushin.
Upon Oyama's death, the International Karate Organization (IKO) splintered into several groups, primarily due to conflict over who would succeed Oyama as Chairman and the future structure and philosophy of the organization. Currently, the issue remains unresolved, although a series of court cases over the last 13 years appears to be coming to an end with a result finally due in the near future. Based on what was quickly proved to be a false and invalid will, Shokei (Akiyoshi) Matsui was named as his successor, even though Matsui was junior to many others in the IKO organization. Matsui claimed that he personally owned the intellectual rights to all Kyokushin trademarks, symbols, and even the name Kyokushin. However, the Japanese legal system consequently ruled against Matsui in this matter, returning the ownership of Oyama's intellectual property to his family.
Techniques and Training
Kyokushin training consists of three main elements: (1) technique, (2) forms, and (3) sparring. These are sometimes referred to as the three "K's" after the Japanese words for them: kihon (technique), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).
Technique (kihon)
The Kyokushin system is based on traditional karate like Shotokan and Goju-ryu, but incorporates many elements of combat sports like boxing and kickboxing in kumite. Many techniques are not found in other styles of karate. Today, some Kyokushin fighters (like Francisco Filho and Glaube Feitosa) appear in kickboxing events like K-1, but apart from some exceptions, Kyokushin does not allow its students to appear in paid fights and remain with the style. In the past this has caused many high-ranking competitors to leave the organization, even if they continue to practice the art and skills of Kyokushin.
In this form of karate the instructor and his/her students all must take part in hard sparring to prepare them for full contact fighting. Unlike some forms of karate, Kyokushin places high emphasis on full contact fighting which is done without any gloves or protective equipment. This apparent brutality is tempered somewhat by the fact that you are not allowed to use a non-kick or non-knee strike to hit your opponent in the face, thus greatly reducing the possibility of serious injury. Knees or kicks to the head and face, on the other hand, are allowed.
In the earliest Kyokushin tournaments and training sessions bare knuckle strikes to the face were allowed but resulted in many injuries, and, thus, students who were forced to withdraw from training. Mas Oyama believed that wearing protective gloves would detract from the realism that the style emphasizes. Therefore, it was decided that hand and elbow strikes to the head and neck would no longer be allowed in training and competition. Furthermore, many governments don't allow bare knuckle strikes to the head in sanctioned martial arts competitions. The vast majority of Kyokushin organizations and "offshoot" styles today still follow this philosophy.
Technically, Kyokushin is a circular style. This is in opposition to Shotokan karate, which is considered a linear style, and closer to Goju-ryu, which is considered a circular style. Shotokan and Goju-ryu were the two styles of karate that Oyama learned before creating his own style. However, Oyama studied Shotokan for only a couple of years before he switched to Goju-ryu where he got his advanced training. This is reflected in Kyokushin where the early training closely resembles Shotokan but gradually becomes closer to the circular techniques and strategies of Goju-ryu the higher you advance in the system.
Forms (kata)
Northern Kata
The northern kata have their origins in Shotokan karate, which Oyama learned while training under Gichin Funakoshi. The URA, or 'reverse' kata were developed by Oyama as an aid to developing balance and multi-direction combat skills. (some areas now phase out the prefix "sono").
Southern Kata
The southern kata have their origins in Goju Ryu karate, which Oyama learned while training under So Nei Chu and Gogen Yamaguchi.
Kyokushin unique Southern Kata
The kata Garyu is not taken from traditional Okinawan karate but was created by Mas Oyama and named after the village where he was born in Korea. The kata Yantsu is also often believed to be an original Kyokushin kata but there is enough evidence to suggest it finds its roots in Okinawa before Oyama created Kyokushin
Ura Kata
Several kata are also done in "ura". This means that on every other step forward, the practitioner slides his back leg behind his front leg and around to the position it would have been in had he stepped forward. This in effect produces a spin on one foot.
Sparring (kumite)
Sparring is used to train the application of the various techniques within a fighting situation. Sparring is usually an important part of training in most Kyokushin organizations, especially at the upper levels with experienced students.
In most Kyokushin organizations, hand and elbow strikes to the head or neck are prohibited. However, kicks to the head, knee strikes, punches to the upper body, and kicks to the inner and outer leg are permitted. In some Kyokushin organizations, especially outside of a tournament environment, gloves and shin protectors are worn. Children always wear head gear to lessen the impact of any kicks to the head. Speed and control are instrumental in sparring and in a training environment it is not the intention of either practitioner to injure his opponent as much as it is to successfully execute the proper strike. Tournament fighting under knock-down rules is significantly different as the objective is to down your opponent. Full-contact sparring in Kyokushin is considered the ultimate test of strength, endurance, and spirit.
Kyokushin kai-Masutatsu oyama warm up
Korea-KYOKUSHIN championship 7th oct 2007 Part I
Korea-KYOKUSHIN championship 7th oct 2007 Part II
Midori kenji- awsome Jodan mawashi gery (5th world champion kyokushin karate in 1991)
