The Evolution of Gojuryu Kata

Group shot of Miyagi Sensei and his students in 1948

It is well known that Miyagi Chojun Sensei did not officially leave a successor to Gojuryu. Since his passing several of his students have formed their own associations and dojo continuing what they believe is the most authentic version of Miyagi’s karate. A quick search of the web and anyone can find out who was who in Gojuryu after Miyagi Sensei passed away. There have even been claims made about who was the successor. I am not going to get into a political karate debate, what I would like to discuss is the evolution of Gojuryu after the passing of Miyagi Sensei.

Higa Seiko Sensei, who was a direct student of Higashionna and Miyagi, founded the Shodokan and taught only Miyagi's 12 kata syllabus. Miyagi Sensei’s oldest son, Miyagi Kei, established a dojo in Tokyo called the Komeikan, he passed on the 12 kata syllabus as taught to him by his father. Similarly, Miyazato Eiichi Sensei, took over Miyagi Sensei dojo and then established the Jundokan Dojo in Naha, Okinawa. Early in Jundokan history the kata Fukyu Dai Ichi and Fukyu Dai Ni were taught, however for most of the 1960s to the time of his passing, Miyazato Sensei only taught the 12 kata syllabus of Miyagi.

Meitoku Yagi Sensei, the founder of Meibukan Goju Ryu, and a direct student of Miyagi Sensei, formulated the kata Tenshi, Seiryu, Byakko, Shujaku, and Genbu. He also taught a second Tensho called Tensho Ni or Sanpoaruite Tensho.

Seikichi Toguchi Sensei, was a direct student of both Miyagi Sensei and Higa Sensei, he founded Shorei Kan Goju Ryu. He formulated the kata Hookiyu 1 & 2, Gekisai Dai San, Gekiha 1 & 2, Kakuha 1 & 2, and Hakutsuru No Mai. I find it interesting that those considered the seniors of Toguchi Sensei did not use all of his kata. Yoshio Kuba Sensei who ran Toguchi’s Shoreikan in Okinawa, before later forming his own Kenbukan, only teaches Gekiha and Kakuha. Morimasa Yamauchi Sensei similarly teaches Gekiha and a different version of Kakuha then Kuba Sensei and Ryugo Sakai Sensei of the Ryushinkaikan teaches the two Gekiha. I wonder if this has to do with the fact that Toguchi Sensei was making changes to the Shoreikan curriculum up until his passing.

Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei, was a direct student of Jutsuei Yogi Sensei and Meitoku Yagi Sensei, and briefly of Miyagi Sensei, and founder of the Japanese Goju Kai. Yamaguchi Sensei added ten Taikyoku kata , Genkaku and Chikaku. The Yamaguchi system also practices the unique Sanchin-Tensho kata. Goshi Yamaguchi sensei has also added two kata to what his father developed called Tenryu and Kohryu.

Osamu Hirano Sensei, student of Kenzo Ujita and Gogen Yamaguchi, founder of the Kuyukai formulated the Haiku Ichi and Rensoku Juza kata for his association.

Seigo Tada Sensei, student of Gogen Yamaguchi, founder of the Seigokan. Formulated the Kihon Tsuki no and the Uke no kata for his association.

Kisaku Tomoharu Sensei, student of Gogen Yamaguchi, founder of Yuishinkai formulated the Kitei kata, this kata is unique in that it utilizes the mawash-geri or round house kick.

Sosui Ichikawa Sensei, student of Kanki Izumigawa, and founder of the Sosuikan Seito Gojuryu. Formulated the Gekisai Ha and Sosuiken kata. In addition his dojo also teaches Sanchin (sanpo and zenpo), Unsu, Niseishi, and Tsuru-te. Several of his senior students have added Rokkishu, and Hakutsuru to the syllabus. His senior American student, R. Choji Taiani Sensei, has added the kata Sanchin Koho, his own versions of Gekisai Dai San and Dai Yon to the American branch of the association.

Katsuya Izumikawa, son of Kanki Izumikawa, and current head of the Senbukan Seito Gojuryu. fourmulated the Gekisai Dai San and Gekisai Dai Yon kata for his group.

Tetsuhiro Hokama sensei, student of Seiko Higa sensei and Seiko Fuguchi sensei, founder of the Kenshikai. Formulated the kata Fukyu and Kiyozai 1 & 2 for his group.

Terou Chinen Sensei, founder of Jundokan International and a student of Eiichi Miyazato Sensei, developed the Dachi kata, Formation 11, Formation 12 and Fukyu 3 for his group. It may also be of interest to know that he also teaches Fukyu 1 and 2 in his association. Fukyu 1 is the standard version developed by Nagamine and Miyagi, while it has been said that Fukyu 2 was developed by Eiichi Miyazato Sensei, though Fukyu 1 and 2 were used by both Chinen Sensei and Morio Higaonna when they established the IOGKF, some IOGKF dojo still teach these kata, but the majority have stopped using them.

Zenei Oshiro Sensei, founder of Shodokan Europe, also uses Fukyu 1 and 2, along with 3 kata of his own creation called Shiho Uke 1, 2, and 3.

Toshio Tamano Sensei, founder of Shoreikan International, a student of Seikichi Toguchi Sensei, developed the kata dai ichi and kata dai ni for his group.

John Roseberry Sensei, founder of Shorei-Shobukan, a student of Sekichi Toguchi sensei, developed the Gakusei kata. His group also uses the Golden crane form, which he learned from a Chinese teacher.

Peter Urban Sensei, founder of USA Goju, student of Gogen Yamaguchi, developed the Taikiyoku Empi Go, Unfa, Empi Ha, Urban Han and Urban Kururunfan for his organization.

Lou Angel Sensei, founder of Tenshi Gojukai, a student of Peter Urban and Gogen Yamaguchi, developed the Gesai, Gesaku Sho and Gesaku Dai kata for his group.

Shinken Akamine Sensei, from the Izumigawa lineage, who was the first introduced Gojuryu karate to Brazil. Akamine sensei formed several groups in his time, the last being the Kenshinkan, he developed the katas Uke Godan, Empi Godan, Tekatana Godan, Teisho Godan, Tsuki Godan and Kenshinryu for his group.

I am a Miyazato Lineage practitioner, but I have also trained a bit over the years in the Higa, Yagi and Toguchi lineage dojo’s. I find merit for beginners in some of these later additions to the system, but they are not taught by my direct sensei or in my lineage. I wonder if it is wrong to use some of these as a bridge between the basic Gekisai kata and the Kaishu kata. I have always felt that there was a gap between Gekisai Dai Ni and Saifa. I am by no means advocating that someone would go learn all of these additions to Gojuryu, as they are really Kai-ha specific, but perhaps one or two might not hurt for a beginner to learn, of course advanced students should concentrate on the kaishu gata.

Thoughts?