Shuji Tasaki Hanshi January 20th 1933 - Present Born in Tokyo, Shuji Tasaki Hanshi was one of the head Shihan in the early years of the All Japan Karatedo Gojukai Yamaguchi-ha. See the following outline for his specific Biography / Curriculum Vitae:
Born in Japan, Akira Shiomi Hanshi is the Chief Technical Director of the JKF Gojukai. Holding such position places him on the board of Directors of both the Japan Karatedo Federation [JKF] and the World Karatedo Federation [WKF]. See the following outline for his specific Biography / Curriculum Vitae:
April 25,1888-October 8th, 1953 Do not be struck by others Do not strike others The principle is the peace without incident
Chojun Miyagi was born April 25th 1888 in Higashi-Machi (Naha-shi) Okinawa of a wealthy family who's business was import/export primarily pharmaceuticals. Originally Chojun Miyagi was born as Miyagi Matsu however his name was changed to Chojun at the age of 5 by his uncle whom adopted him after the death of his father in 1893. His family owned two ships which made regular trips to mainland China, placing them among the wealthiest families in the area and enabled a young Chojun Miyagi Sensei to travel to China to study the style of his instructor and develop the style of Karatedo we call Gojuryu today. However his original Martial Arts training started with his neighbor Ryu Ko Aragaki (one of the very few fighters ever to beat the legendary Choki Motobu) at 11 years old. Ryu Ko Aragaki Sensei, before moving his family to Taiwan, later introduced him to Kanryo Higaonna, and he began training at the age of 15 in the fall of 1902 after fulfilling a host of chores (the traditional way of being accepted by an instructor).
DAN IVAN Martial Arts Pioneer and Icon By Robert Hunt
DAN IVAN
Martial Arts Pioneer and Icon
By Robert Hunt
The following is about Dan Ivan, martial arts pioneer and icon, taken from 35 years of friendship and apprenticeship, some long nights of taping, and his own memoirs. Mr. Ivan began training in Japan in 1948 and spent his life in the martial arts world. He passed away last year. The parts below in italics are Mr. Ivan’s own words from things he has written or tapes I have made. Robert Hunt
“As I walked through the neighborhood of fallen concrete buildings and remaining ashes of those that burned, the smell of hibachi cooking permeated the air. Looking around in the darkness I could see small flickering flames, fires built in cans to keep warm.”
The light bulb swayed back and forth on one almost bare wire, tossing random illumination on the dark staircase below. Dan Ivan stared down the staircase and wondered if karate was.......
Born in Durban South Africa, Des Tuck Esq. has been essential in constructing the Gojuryu Division of the JKF Gojukai in the United States and today serves as the President of the Association. See the following outline for his specific Biography / Curriculum Vitae:
Ei'ichi Miyazato was born on July 5th, 1922 in I-Chome, 13 Banchi. Higashi-machi, Naha-shi Okinawa, Okinawa and passed away in December 10th, 1999 due to ill health. Miyatato Ei'Ichi Hanshi began his Karatedo training at age 13........
Already as a youngster Gogen Yamaguchi showed strong interest in the Martial Arts. Prior to his training in Karatedo he studied Kendo (Japanese fencing). His first taste of Gojuryu Karatedo however wasn't until his large family moved to Kyoto while he was in his teens when he began the serious study of Karatedo with Takeo Maruyama Sensei at the Maruta Dojo. Takeo Maruta aka Takeo Maruyama who was a Gojuryu practitioner, was drawn to the young Yamaguchi's serious attitude and his willingness to train hard. It is said that Mr. Maruyama taught Yamaguchi all he knew about the Goju system.
Born in Manhattan New York, JP Williams has been essential in reconnecting the Gojuryu Karatedo practitioners across the globe through free communication resources [Gojuryu.net, Gojuryu dot com, JKF Gojukai Networking project, multiple Martial Art and Budo groups under social networking platforms and Gojuryu eGroups], providing open and non-biased forums, distinctive research exposing what is arguably the most comprehensive subject matter regarding Gojuryu Karatdo, publications, articles, services and construction of what many consider the most thorough historical time-line pertaining to Gojuryu and Karatedo lineage to date.
JP Williams was a long time contender for both Kata [forms] and Kumite [sparring] and well known as "Mr. 4th place" [always the bridesmaid and never the bride'] in International competition. Although he has had his share of training with different instructors and has seen 'the good, the bad and the ugly' in politics. To separate and divide political interests he currently:
Trains out of the JKF Gojukai Shibu Dojo and Seiwakai Shibu Dojo in Santa Monica California under the multi-headed leadership of both the formal Kaiha "JKF Gojukai" Tokyo Japan, and "Seiwakai Gojuryu Karatedo" Oomagari / Daisen Japan for Gojuryu Karatedo training;
Dai Nippon Butokukai, Kyoto Japan [International Division Honbu - Old Dominion University Norfolk Virginia] for Budo philosophies;
USANKF, Seatle Washington [member of the United States Olympic Committee, Denver Colorado] for Sport Competition, coaching and athletic interests.
Johnpaul Williams lives in the San Francisco Bay area Metropolis. For additional information visit www.gojuryu.net/SF or see the following Curriculum Vitae:
Kanryo Higaonna
Kanryo Higaonna Sensei 東恩納 寛量 March 10th, 1853 - December 23, 1917
Born March 10th, 1853 in Nishi-machi (Nishimura), Naha-shi, Okinawa - the 10th generation of Higaonna family in Haru Lineage. At the time he was born Okinawa was occupied by the Satsuma Clan. Reputed to have earned a living transporting firewood from the Kerama Island.
Mr. Kenzo Uchiage studied jointly under Chojun Miyagi in Okinawa and with Gogen Yamaguchi while at Ritsumeikan University in Japan. Under their direction he was one of the early members of Gojuryu Karatedo to have received the Renshi Menkyu from the Dai Nippon Butokukai
Kishio Gosei Yamaguchi was undoubtedly one of the finest Masters of Karate-do that we have had the honour to train with , albeit briefly. Gosen Shihan's death in 1990 approximately one year after his father Jitsumi Gogen Kaiso, was the greatest shock to all of us, and especially so to his mother Midori Yamaguchi, and his siblings, Hirofumi Goshi, Norimi Gosei, and Wakako. The pain etched indellibly into the face of Goshi Shihan as he discussed the tragic loss of his dear brother is testament enough to the esteem to which he was held within his own family. Gogen Kaiso was obviously very proud of.....................
1942 - Chojun Miyagi and Koshin Iha Sensei perform an individual enbu demonstration at Butoku-den for the visit to Okinawa of Imperial messenger Ogura.
1953 November - Senior students of Miyagi Sensei meet at the house of Genkai Nakaima. Those present include Seiko Kina, Meitoku Yagi, Jitsue Yogi, Ei'ichi Miyazato and Koshin Iha.
Kyo Mouri Sensei served as the President of the JKF Gojukai from April of 1997 to August of 1998. See the following outline for his specific Biography:
Born in South Africa, Leo Lipinski - Kyoshi, is the highest Graded non-Japanese of the JKF Gojukai in the world today holding the grade of 7th Dan - JKF Gojukai and 8th Dan Gojuryu Karatedo Seiwakai. He actively and extensively teaches and travels to seminars to spread Gojuryu Karatedo. To date he organizes and teaches seminars usually twice a year in various locations in Europe together with Japanese instructors as well as trains annually and sometimes twice per year in Japan [since circa 1960 to date]. Teaches independently a minimum of 20 seminars annually in various countries including Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Africa. See the following outline for his specific Biography / Curriculum Vitae:
MASANOBU SHINJO, LEE GRAY AND THE SHOBUKAN - THE OTHER GOJU RYU
MASANOBU SHINJO, LEE GRAY AND THE SHOBUKAN - THE OTHER GOJU RYU
By Robert Hunt
The afternoon sun still drifted through opaque windows at the end of the gymnasium and offered a smidgen of hazy twilight to my corner of the stands. Contestants and judges buzzed about the floor in constant activity and watchers came and went through the double doors at the other end of the room.
It was 1974. Tournament karate was young and exciting. Nowadays tournaments often feel like the proverbial hackneyed nag, tired from use and abuse, but, back then, they were fresh and still new, full of undiscovered challenge. No one knew where we were going, but it was a great time to get there.
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Shuji Tasaki Hanshi January 20th 1933 - Present Born in Tokyo, Shuji Tasaki Hanshi was one of the head Shihan in the early years of the All Japan Karatedo Gojukai Yamaguchi-ha. See the following outline for his specific Biography / Curriculum Vitae:
