CHOJUN MIYAGI
Chojun Miyagi, born on April 25, 1888, in Higashi-machi, Naha, Okinawa, was originally named Miyagi Matsu. Following his father’s death in 1893, his uncle adopted him at age five and changed his name to Chojun. At 14, in 1902, Miyagi began training in Naha-te under Kanryo Higaonna, a master whose teachings profoundly shaped his martial arts journey. After years of dedicated study, Miyagi travelled to Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China, in 1915 to seek out Higaonna’s teacher, believed to be Ru Ru Ko (possibly Xie Zhongxiang). There, from 1915 to 1917, he studied Chugoku Kenpo (Chinese Fist), enriching his understanding of martial arts. He returned to Okinawa in early 1917 upon learning of Higaonna’s death in 1915.
Back in Okinawa, Miyagi began teaching karate around Naha and later throughout Japan, formalizing the system that would become Goju-Ryu, a name he coined to reflect the balance of go (hard, as in Sanchin kata) and ju (soft, as in Tensho kata, which he developed). He integrated auxiliary exercises, such as callisthenics, to strengthen the body and refined classical katas to preserve and transmit Naha-te’s essence. Miyagi worked tirelessly to elevate karate’s status in Okinawa and mainland Japan, aiming for recognition comparable to judo and kendo. His frequent travels to Japan included teaching at Kyoto University and Ritsumeikan University, spreading Goju-Ryu’s principles.
In 1933, karate gained formal recognition when it was registered with the Butokukai, Japan’s central authority for martial arts, marking a significant milestone in its acceptance as a respected discipline. On March 23, 1934, Miyagi authored “Toudijutsu Gaisetsu” (An Outline of Karatedo), a rare and highly technical document exploring the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of karate training. In 1936, the Japanese Ministry of Education awarded him a medal for excellence in martial arts, affirming his contributions. That same year, Miyagi travelled to Shanghai to train at the Seibu Dai Iku Kai (Great Gymnastic Association - Pure Martial Spirit), further deepening his study of Chinese martial arts.
Miyagi’s teaching extended beyond physical techniques, encompassing lessons on history, culture, society, and human relations. He emphasized kata (forms) and their bunkai (applications), providing detailed instruction to ensure a holistic understanding of karate. Miyagi dedicated his life to structuring Naha-te into Goju-Ryu, a systematized discipline suitable for widespread teaching, including in schools, making it accessible to a broad audience. His private lessons at home, however, remained true to the traditional principles of Kanryo Higaonna and his teacher, Ru Ru Ko.
Chojun Miyagi passed away on October 8, 1953. He foresaw karate spreading globally in the 20th century, a prediction that has come to fruition. Today, Goju-Ryu is practiced worldwide, no longer confined to Okinawa or Japan but embraced as a global martial art, reflecting Miyagi’s enduring legacy.