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Goju-Ryu is a traditional Okinawan style of karate with an extensive history. The translation of the word Goju-Ryu actually means “hard-soft style,” which refers to the closed hand techniques (hard) and open hand techniques and circular movements (soft) that comprise this martial art, which is based in Chinese principles. Goju-Ryu combines hard striking attacks such as kicks and punches with softer circular techniques for blocking and controlling the opponent, including locks, grappling, takedowns and throws. Major emphasis is given to correct breathing, body strengthening and conditioning.
Chinese Kempo was first introduced to Okinawa during the 14th century. At the time in Okinawa, ‘Te’ was practiced as a native fighting art. Kempo eventually combined, at least to an extent, with the native martial arts there to form Okinawa-Te globally, or Tomari-Te, Shuri-Te, or Naha-Te depending on the city of origin. It should be noted that in 1609 Japan invaded Okinawa, and during this time Okinawans were banned from carrying weapons or practicing martial arts.
Therefore, for a long time martial arts were practiced underground there.
In 1873 a martial arts master by the name of Kanryo Higashionna or Higaonna Kanryo for short (1853-1916) travelled to Fuzhou in the Fujian Province of China. There he studied under various teachers from China, including a man by the name of Ryu Ryu Ko (also sometimes called Liu Liu Ko or Ru Ko). Ryu Ryu Ko was a great master of the art of Whooping Crane Kung Fu.
Eventually, Higashionna returned to Okinawa in 1882. When he came back he began teaching a new martial arts style, one that comprised both his knowledge of the Okinawan styles with the martial arts he learned in China.
Higashionna’s best student was Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953). Miyagi began studying under Higashionna at the tender age of 14. When Higashionna died, many of his students continued to train with Miyagi. Miyagi also travelled to China to study martial arts, just as his predecessor did, bringing his knowledge back to Japan where he began to refine the martial arts he and his students practiced.
In 1930 at the All Japan Martial Arts Demonstration in Tokyo, a demonstrator asked Miyagi’s number one student, Jin’an Shinzato, what school or kind of martial arts he practiced. When Shinzato returned home and told Miyagi of this, Miyagi decided to call his style Goju-Ryu.
Goju-Ryu is a traditional Okinawan style of karate with an extensive history. The translation of the word Goju-Ryu actually means “hard-soft style,” which refers to the closed hand techniques (hard) and open hand techniques and circular movements (soft) that comprise this martial art, which is based in Chinese principles. Goju-Ryu combines hard striking attacks such as kicks and punches with softer circular techniques for blocking and controlling the opponent, including locks, grappling, takedowns and throws. Major emphasis is given to correct breathing, body strengthening and conditioning.
Chinese Kempo was first introduced to Okinawa during the 14th century. At the time in Okinawa, ‘Te’ was practiced as a native fighting art. Kempo eventually combined, at least to an extent, with the native martial arts there to form Okinawa-Te globally, or Tomari-Te, Shuri-Te, or Naha-Te depending on the city of origin. It should be noted that in 1609 Japan invaded Okinawa, and during this time Okinawans were banned from carrying weapons or practicing martial arts.
Therefore, for a long time martial arts were practiced underground there.
In 1873 a martial arts master by the name of Kanryo Higashionna or Higaonna Kanryo for short (1853-1916) travelled to Fuzhou in the Fujian Province of China. There he studied under various teachers from China, including a man by the name of Ryu Ryu Ko (also sometimes called Liu Liu Ko or Ru Ko). Ryu Ryu Ko was a great master of the art of Whooping Crane Kung Fu.
Eventually, Higashionna returned to Okinawa in 1882. When he came back he began teaching a new martial arts style, one that comprised both his knowledge of the Okinawan styles with the martial arts he learned in China.
Higashionna’s best student was Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953). Miyagi began studying under Higashionna at the tender age of 14. When Higashionna died, many of his students continued to train with Miyagi. Miyagi also travelled to China to study martial arts, just as his predecessor did, bringing his knowledge back to Japan where he began to refine the martial arts he and his students practiced.
In 1930 at the All Japan Martial Arts Demonstration in Tokyo, a demonstrator asked Miyagi’s number one student, Jin’an Shinzato, what school or kind of martial arts he practiced. When Shinzato returned home and told Miyagi of this, Miyagi decided to call his style Goju-Ryu.
Many Goju-Ryu practitioners feel as if they are martial arts technicians, in that they utilize angles to deflect strikes rather than trying to meet strength with strength. In addition, Goju-Ryu tends to emphasize meeting opponents with the opposite of what they are utilizing. For example, striking the head (a hard part of the body) with the open hand (a soft part of the body) or striking the groin (soft) with a groin kick (hard). Beyond this, Goju-Ryu karate is known for teaching breathing techniques to a great extent. It also utilizes some takedowns, throws, and weapons.
Many Goju-Ryu practitioners feel as if they are martial arts technicians, in that they utilize angles to deflect strikes rather than trying to meet strength with strength. In addition, Goju-Ryu tends to emphasize meeting opponents with the opposite of what they are utilizing. For example, striking the head (a hard part of the body) with the open hand (a soft part of the body) or striking the groin (soft) with a groin kick (hard). Beyond this, Goju-Ryu karate is known for teaching breathing techniques to a great extent. It also utilizes some takedowns, throws, and weapons.
Katas are a sequence of pre-defined movements that include the attack and defence against one or more imaginary attackers. They are practised alone to perfect the movements and to learn how to move more efficiently. Many katas contain karate techniques that are not obvious to an onlooker (and sometimes not even to the student performing the kata). The practical application of the katas is called Bunkai. Katas and their applications are an integral part of the grading system. There are twelve katas in the Goju-Ryu Kata List and they are divided into two main groups: Kaishugata and Heishugata. The Kaishugata comprise Gekisai-Dai-Ichi, Gekisai-Dai-Ni, Saifa, Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Sepai, Sesan, Kururunfa and Suparinpei. The Heishugata comprise Sanchin and Tensho.
Katas are a sequence of pre-defined movements that include the attack and defence against one or more imaginary attackers. They are practised alone to perfect the movements and to learn how to move more efficiently. Many katas contain karate techniques that are not obvious to an onlooker (and sometimes not even to the student performing the kata). The practical application of the katas is called Bunkai. Katas and their applications are an integral part of the grading system. There are twelve katas in the Goju-Ryu Kata List and they are divided into two main groups: Kaishugata and Heishugata. The Kaishugata comprise Gekisai-Dai-Ichi, Gekisai-Dai-Ni, Saifa, Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Sepai, Sesan, Kururunfa and Suparinpei. The Heishugata comprise Sanchin and Tensho.
Kaishugata Group
Gekisai means “to destroy or demolish”. These katas were created by Chojun Miyagi and are designed for beginners. They contain exaggerated movements and are relatively easy to learn.
Kaishugata Group
Gekisai means “to destroy or demolish”. These katas were created by Chojun Miyagi and are designed for beginners. They contain exaggerated movements and are relatively easy to learn.
Saifa means, “tearing” and is of Naha-te origin. It is also known as “Circle/Circular” kata
Seiyunchin is said to “mean marching far quietly” or “pulling” and is also known as the “Earth” or “Dragon” kata. It is of Chinese origin.
Shisochin means, “fighting four” and refers to fighting in four directions and is of Chinese origin having been taught to Kanryo Higoanna by Ryu Ryu Ku.
Sanseru when written in Chinese characters is the number 36. It also focuses on fighting in all four directions.
Saifa means, “tearing” and is of Naha-te origin. It is also known as “Circle/Circular” kata
Seiyunchin is said to “mean marching far quietly” or “pulling” and is also known as the “Earth” or “Dragon” kata. It is of Chinese origin.
Shisochin means, “fighting four” and refers to fighting in four directions and is of Chinese origin having been taught to Kanryo Higoanna by Ryu Ryu Ku.
Sanseru when written in Chinese characters is the number 36. It also focuses on fighting in all four directions.
Sepai is the number 18. It is of Chinese origin.
Kururunfa means seventeen or holding your ground featuring shifting the body (evasive manoeuvers). It is also of Chinese origin.
Seisan means “thirteen hands”. It contains eight defensive and five offensive moves.
Suparinpei is the number 108 and is said to refer to a warrior group of 108 men who, in the 1600’s travelled the countryside righting wrongs – Robin Hood style.
Sepai is the number 18. It is of Chinese origin.
Kururunfa means seventeen or holding your ground featuring shifting the body (evasive manoeuvers). It is also of Chinese origin.
Seisan means “thirteen hands”. It contains eight defensive and five offensive moves.
Suparinpei is the number 108 and is said to refer to a warrior group of 108 men who, in the 1600’s travelled the countryside righting wrongs – Robin Hood style.
Heishugata Group
Sanchin means “three battles” the three being the body, the mind and the spirit. Kanryo Higoanna brought it back from China.
Tensho means “flowing or changing hand”. Tensho is also known as “Heavenly Palm”. Chojun Miyagi has created it. It is a combination of dynamic tension and deep breathing with soft flowing hand movements.
Heishugata Group
Sanchin means “three battles” the three being the body, the mind and the spirit. Kanryo Higoanna brought it back from China.
Tensho means “flowing or changing hand”. Tensho is also known as “Heavenly Palm”. Chojun Miyagi has created it. It is a combination of dynamic tension and deep breathing with soft flowing hand movements.
GENERAL TERMS |
FORMALITIES |
||
Karate | empty hand | Onegai-shimasu | please teach me |
Dojo | training room | Arigato-Gozaimashita | thank you very much |
Gi | uniform | Rei | bow |
Obi | belt | Seiza | kneel down |
Sensei | instructor | Mokuso | meditation |
Sempai | senior student | Shugo | line up |
Hajime | begin | Kiyotsuke | attention |
Yame | stop | Sensei-Ni | face the teacher |
Yoi | ready | Shomen-Ni | face the front |
Jodan | upper area | Otagi Ni | face partner |
Chudan | middle area | Kiritsu | stand up |
Gedan | lower area |
COUNTING |
|
Migi | right | Ichi | one |
Hidari | left | Ni | two |
Shomen | front | San | three |
Ushiro | back | Shi | four |
Yoko | side | Go | five |
Mawashi | roundhouse | Roku | six |
Ashi o kaete | change stance | Shichi | seven |
Te o kaete | change hands | Hachi | eight |
Mawatte | turn around | Ku | nine |
Ki-ai | shout (as you strike) | Ju | ten |
STANCES |
FOOT TECHNIQUES |
||
Dachi (Tachi) | stance | Geri (-Keri) | kick |
Heisoku-Dachi | feet together | Mae-Geri | front kick |
Musubi-Dachi | heels together | Mawashi-Geri | roundhouse kick |
Heiko-Dachi | parallel stance | Yoko-Geri | side kick |
Hachiji-Dachi | natural stance | Ushiro-Geri | back kick |
Shiko-Dachi | straddle leg stance | Kansetsu-Geri | joint kick |
Sanchin-Dachi | hourglass stance | Tobi-Geri | jumping kick |
Zenkutsu-Dachi | front stance | Hiza-Geri | knee kick |
Han Zenkutsu-Dachi | half front stance | Ashi-Barai | foot sweep |
Neko Ashi-Dachi | cat stance | Kakato-Otoshi | heel drop |
Sagi Ashi-Dachi | crane stance | Fumikomi | stamp |
BLOCKING TECHNIQUES |
HAND TECHNIQUES |
||
Uke | block | Tsuki (Zuki) | punch |
Age Uke | rising block | Choku-Zuki | straight punch |
Chudan Uke | middle area block | Oi-Zuki | lunge punch |
Gedan Barai | lower area block | Gyaku-zuki | reverse punch |
Yoko Uke | side block | Ura-Zuki | short punch |
Uchi Uke | inside forearm block | Furi-Zuki | circular swing punch |
Mawashi Uke | round-house block | Nukite-Zuki | finger thrust |
Shotei Uke | palm-heel block | Shotei-Zuki | palm-heel thrust |
Ko Uke | wrist block | Uraken-Uchi | back-fist strike |
Kake Uke | hook block | Shuto-Uchi | knife hand strike |
Hiki Uke | grasping block | Tettsui-Uchi | bottom fist strike |
Sukui Uke | scoop block | Haito-Uchi | ridge-hand strike |
PARTS OF THE FOOT |
PRACTISE FIGHTING |
||
Josokutei | ball of foot | Kumite | sparring |
Sokuto | foot edge | San Dan Gi | basic three-step / three level sparring |
Kakato | heel | Sanbon Kumite | three-step sparring |
Haisoku | instep | Ippon Kumite | one-step sparring (block and counter) |
Ashiyubi | toes | Jiyu Ippon Kumite | free one-step sparring |
OTHER TERMS |
Randori Kumite | light free style sparring (emphasis on technique) | |
Junbi Undo | warm-up preliminary exercises | Jiyu Kumite | hard and fast controlled free fighting |
Hojo Undo | supplementary training (eg.makiwara or chishi) | Yakusoku Kumite | prearranged sparring |
Bunkai | techniques and application of a kata | ||
Kime | focus | ||
Kihon | basics | ||
Shime | testing of Sanchin kata |
GENERAL TERMS |
FORMALITIES |
||
Karate | empty hand | Onegai-shimasu | please teach me |
Dojo | training room | Arigato-Gozaimashita | thank you very much |
Gi | uniform | Rei | bow |
Obi | belt | Seiza | kneel down |
Sensei | instructor | Mokuso | meditation |
Sempai | senior student | Shugo | line up |
Hajime | begin | Kiyotsuke | attention |
Yame | stop | Sensei-Ni | face the teacher |
Yoi | ready | Shomen-Ni | face the front |
Jodan | upper area | Otagi Ni | face partner |
Chudan | middle area | Kiritsu | stand up |
Gedan | lower area |
COUNTING |
|
Migi | right | Ichi | one |
Hidari | left | Ni | two |
Shomen | front | San | three |
Ushiro | back | Shi | four |
Yoko | side | Go | five |
Mawashi | roundhouse | Roku | six |
Ashi o kaete | change stance | Shichi | seven |
Te o kaete | change hands | Hachi | eight |
Mawatte | turn around | Ku | nine |
Ki-ai | shout (as you strike) | Ju | ten |
STANCES |
FOOT TECHNIQUES |
||
Dachi (Tachi) | stance | Geri (-Keri) | kick |
Heisoku-Dachi | feet together | Mae-Geri | front kick |
Musubi-Dachi | heels together | Mawashi-Geri | roundhouse kick |
Heiko-Dachi | parallel stance | Yoko-Geri | side kick |
Hachiji-Dachi | natural stance | Ushiro-Geri | back kick |
Shiko-Dachi | straddle leg stance | Kansetsu-Geri | joint kick |
Sanchin-Dachi | hourglass stance | Tobi-Geri | jumping kick |
Zenkutsu-Dachi | front stance | Hiza-Geri | knee kick |
Han Zenkutsu-Dachi | half front stance | Ashi-Barai | foot sweep |
Neko Ashi-Dachi | cat stance | Kakato-Otoshi | heel drop |
Sagi Ashi-Dachi | crane stance | Fumikomi | stamp |
BLOCKING TECHNIQUES |
HAND TECHNIQUES |
||
Uke | block | Tsuki (Zuki) | punch |
Age Uke | rising block | Choku-Zuki | straight punch |
Chudan Uke | middle area block | Oi-Zuki | lunge punch |
Gedan Barai | lower area block | Gyaku-zuki | reverse punch |
Yoko Uke | side block | Ura-Zuki | short punch |
Uchi Uke | inside forearm block | Furi-Zuki | circular swing punch |
Mawashi Uke | round-house block | Nukite-Zuki | finger thrust |
Shotei Uke | palm-heel block | Shotei-Zuki | palm-heel thrust |
Ko Uke | wrist block | Uraken-Uchi | back-fist strike |
Kake Uke | hook block | Shuto-Uchi | knife hand strike |
Hiki Uke | grasping block | Tettsui-Uchi | bottom fist strike |
Sukui Uke | scoop block | Haito-Uchi | ridge-hand strike |
PARTS OF THE FOOT |
PRACTISE FIGHTING |
||
Josokutei | ball of foot | Kumite | sparring |
Sokuto | foot edge | San Dan Gi | basic three-step / three level sparring |
Kakato | heel | Sanbon Kumite | three-step sparring |
Haisoku | instep | Ippon Kumite | one-step sparring (block and counter) |
Ashiyubi | toes | Jiyu Ippon Kumite | free one-step sparring |
OTHER TERMS |
Randori Kumite | light free style sparring (emphasis on technique) | |
Junbi Undo | warm-up preliminary exercises | Jiyu Kumite | hard and fast controlled free fighting |
Hojo Undo | supplementary training (eg.makiwara or chishi) | Yakusoku Kumite | prearranged sparring |
Bunkai | techniques and application of a kata | ||
Kime | focus | ||
Kihon | basics | ||
Shime | testing of Sanchin kata |
Academy for Karate Goju-Ryu (AKG) is a voluntary organisation that was established to uphold excellent quality Martial Arts skills to it’s members.
AKG advocate important values such as courtesy, patience, respect, self-control and integrity and is committed to instil the life skills and character building of a true martial artist. These principles and standards will lead to remarkable improvements in each individual academics, careers and relationships – contributing towards a better community.
Academy for Karate Goju-Ryu (AKG) is a voluntary organisation that was established to uphold excellent quality Martial Arts skills to it’s members.
AKG advocate important values such as courtesy, patience, respect, self-control and integrity and is committed to instil the life skills and character building of a true martial artist. These principles and standards will lead to remarkable improvements in each individual academics, careers and relationships – contributing towards a better community.