Goju Ryu Karate-do, or the school of the way of the empty hand which is both hard and soft, or more simply hard and soft style of Karate, is a branch of Naha Te which was developed by a master named Miyagi Chojun, a student of the famous Naha Te master Kanryo Higaonna.

When we add Okinawa to the front of this we mean that we practice the original form of Goju Ryu from Okinawa and not a variant now practiced in Japan or in North America.

There are several different schools of Okinawa Goju Ryu including: Meibukan, Jundokan, Shoreikan, Kenshikan, etc…developed by the students of Miyagi Chojun Sensei. But all of them have the following 12 Kata in common (though the order in which they are taught may vary):

Sanchin
Tensho
Gekisai Ichi
Gekisai Ni
Saifa
Shisochin
Sanseru
Seisan
Seipai
Seuinchin
Kururunfa
Suparinpei

In addition, many share similar training methods such as; Tanren (Body Conditioning), Hojo Undo (Supplementary exercises with apparatus), Yobi Undo (warm up exercises), Kakie (sticky hands), and Ippon Kumite (one step fighting).

As a style of Karate, Goju Ryu is characterized by its short and powerful linear movements performed intermittently with soft and graceful circular movements. It also places much emphasis on Nage Waza, grappling techniques, in its fighting applications.

Goju Ryu has three sister styles also developed on the basis of Naha Te; To’on Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Uechi Ryu.

What is Meibukan Goju Ryu?

Meibukan means “House of the Enlightened (Virtuous) Warrior.” It is the specific form of Goju-Ryu developed by Yagi Meitoku Dai Sensei, a senior student of Miyagi Chojun Sensei, the founder of Goju Ryu. To the main curriculum of Goju Ryu, Yagi Meitoku Dai Sensei added the Kata:

Tenchi (heaven and earth)
Seiryu (green Dragon)
Byaku (White Tiger)
Shujaku (Red Sparrow/Pheonix)
Gembu (Black Warrior Turtle)

He also developed and added several drills such as; Kotekitai, Yaksoku Kumite, Renzoku Kumite, Kakome Kumite and Ippon, Nippon and Sanbon Kumite.

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