Gojuryu and Ryueiryu: The Connection?

When conducting research, it is very hard to sift through what is fact and what is fiction in any Okinawan karate style, the lack of written records, the destruction of Okinawa during World War II and the fact that much of the history was passed down by oral traditions, has most certainly contributed to the issue.  In the past two decades karate historians, such as, misters Tokashiki Iken, Patrick McCarthy, Joe Swift, and Mario McKenna, have continued to bring to light new evidence and theories, opening the doors of history, long thought locked.

For the purpose of my discussion here, I will stick with the most commonly accepted historical accounts and then provide my own thoughts, research and theories.

Higaonna Kanryo

The Goju-ryu style of Karate is considered one of the major styles of karate in Okinawa and Japan, its history is better known, so I will just give a brief synopsis of it here. The style has it’s beginnings with Higaonna Kanryo Sensei.  As a child Higaonna Sensei trained under Aragaki Seisho Sensei (Aragaki Tsuji Pechin Seisho). Later he briefly trained with Kojo Taitei Sensei of the Kojo-ryu. He traveled to China where he became a student of Ryu Ryu Ko (different years have been cited for his training under Ryu Ryu Ko 1867, 1868, 1869, 1873, and 1877), with whom he trained for 15 years (the exact amount of time is up for debate) before returning to Okinawa. After his return to Okinawa he eventually began to teach what became known as Naha-te. The man considered by many to be his successor was Miyagi Chojun Sensei, who took Higaonna Sensei’s teachings and combined them with his own to create Goju-Ryu. Higaonna Sensei also taught several others who went on to form their own ryu-ha, most notable is Kyoda Juhatsu Sensei, the founder of To’on-Ryu (an alternate pronunciation of Higaonna’s name)

Nakaima Kenri

In contrast, Ryuei-ryu is not as well known, so I will provide a little more history. The Ryuei-ryu (劉衛流,) style of karate was first introduced to Okinawa around 1875 by Nakaima Kenri Sensei (sometimes spelled as Namaima Norisato). Born of wealthy parents in Kume, Naha, Nakaima Sensei was a good scholar and, at the age of 19, went to Fuchou, China for advanced studies in the martial arts. There a former guard to the Chinese embassies in the Ryukyu Islands introduced him to a Chinese boxing teacher known as Ru Ru Ko. Nakaima Sensei was accepted as a disciple, and, after 5-6 years of training, received a certificate of graduation from the master. After leaving Ru Ru Ko, he traveled around China and collected several weapons to take back home with him. Back in Okinawa, Nakaima Sensei passed this Chinese boxing style in secret to his son Nakaima Kenchu Sensei, who then went on to teach it to his son, Nakaima Kenko Sensei (founder of the Ryuei Ryu Karate and Kobudo Preservation Society). In 1971, at the age of 60, Nakaima Kenko Sensei realized that in today's world there was no longer a need to keep his family's fighting system a secret, and so, with some hesitation, he took on a group of 20 school teachers as karate students, Nakaima Kenko Sensei passed away in 1989, leaving his son Nakaima Kenji Sensei as his heir and current Grandmaster of Ryuei-ryu, however his most famous student was Sakumoto Tsuguo Sensei

Some historians say that the Ryu Ryu Ko of Ryuei-Ryu is not the same Ryu Ryu Ko of Goju-ryu. Iken Tokashiki Sensei and Patrick McCarthy Sensei have brought forth research that Ryu Ryu Ko was Xie Zhongxiang, born in Changle, Fujian, to a noble family which lost its status in political turmoil of the time. Xie was the founder of Míng hè quán (鳴鶴拳, Whooping Crane Fist), which he based on the white crane he learned from his teacher Pan Yuban (Kwan Pang Yuiba), who’s teacher was Lin Shixian (who was a student of Fāng Qīniáng, the originator of the first White Crane martial art). He had to conceal his name and aristocratic lineage and took on the name Ryu Ryu Ko, under which he worked, making household goods from bamboo and cane. He has been teaching martial arts at his home to a very small group of students, which included Higaonna Kanryō, who they say stayed with Ryu Ryu Ko from 1867 to 1881. Ryu Ryu Ko expanded his class to an actual public school in 1883, running it with his assistant, Wai Shinzan (Wai Xinxian, Wu Lu Chin). It is also said that he had a son named Xie Tsuxiang.  Xie Zhongxiang’s current living direct descendant is his great-grandson, Xie Wenliang.
Some historians do not agree with Xie Zhongxiang identification, it's been suggested that Ryu Ryu Ko taught other styles of southern Chinese martial arts, or even that Ryu Ryu Ko was the name of the place, rather than a person. Higaonna Morio Sensei is one such researcher who disagrees with the Xie theory. Higaonna Sensei has traveled to China several  times and his current research suggests that Ryu Ryu Ko could possibly be one of the “Ten Tigers of Canton”. I for one will be interested to see how his current research unfolds.

Ok, now for my theory, Ryuei-ryu to me is technically a very interesting style, I can see hints of Goju-ryu with some add-mixtures of Shorin-ryu. Both Goju-ryu and Ryuei-ryu have quite a few kata in common, even their execution is very similar. However, I find that it is more than a coincidence that there are several kata in-common between the two styles.

If we look at the years (1867, 1868, 1869 and 1873) that are given for when Higaonna Sensei began his training with Ryu Ryu Ko and then we look at the year that has been Given for Nakaima Kenri Sensei’s introduction of his style to Okinawa, 1875, we see that there is a good possibility that Nakaima and Higaonna were both in China training with Ryu Ryu Ko at the same time. If this is the case then it is easy to see why there are such strong similarities between the two styles.  Regardless of whether or not they were both in China and training at the same time or not; the fact that the dates for both are so close, makes me think that they at least had the same teacher. So, I am not completely sold on the Xie theory either, Iken Sensei and McCarthy Sensei make strong and compeling arguments, but I am curious as to one fact. The kanji used for the first character (劉Ryu or Lui) in Ryuei-ryu was said to have been in honor of Nakaima Kenri Sensei’s teacher. In fact the Nakaima family has constantly manitained the the first kanji was from Ryu Ryu Ko’s name. If this is the case and Ryu Ryu Ko’s name is actually Liu (劉) could he be a relative of the Liu family?  If you look at the character used by the Nakaima family and the charater used by the Liu family, they are the same. Is it possible that instead of Whooping Crane, Goju-ryu and Ryuei-ryu are desendant from Feeding Crane? Could Ryu Ryu Ko be Liu Long Gung?

Due to the lack of written records and the fact that most Okinawan teachers passed there stories down by word of mouth, we may never have a difinative answer on who Ryu Ryu Ko really was or wasn’t, but it is enough to make you go hmmmm….

Now I could be spinning my wheels, it is also possible that Nakaima Kenko Sensei got some forms from Miyagi Sensei.  In an interview given by Arashiro Tomohiro Sensei, he stated that his teacher, Nakaima Kenko Sensei and Miyagi Sensei met with each other now and then. It has also been suggested that the Nakaima and Miyagi families were related.  Is it possible that Miyagi and Nakaima, trained together because they believed that they shared a common lineage?

Miyagi Sensei in his 1934 pamplet "Karate-do Gaisetsu" tells us that the Goju-ryu system was originated from a Chinese Kempo school that was established in Naha around 1828. We know some prominent masters of this school: were Higaonna Kanryō (founder of Naha-te), Arakaki Seishō, Kenri Nakaima (1850-1927) (founder of Ryūei-ryū), Sakiyama Kitoku (1830-1914), Kojo Taitei (1837-1915), Maezato Ranpo (1838-1904), Matsuda Tokusaburo (1877-1931). All who were possibly students of Ryu Ryu Ko.
It is almost apparent that a version of Southern White crane became Naha Te, there is enough similarity in Goju-ryu and Ryuei-ryu that a claim could be made that the differences were solely base on the two different men’s memory. What about the other kata of Ryuei-Ryu you say, it is also possible that Nakaima was in China longer and thus learned more, or that Higaonna choose not to include these kata. But without written documents this is all theory or assumptions. Research will continue and the future is full of possibilities.

Chinen Shinzo Sensei

Earlier today, I received sad news from Okinawa informing me of the passing of Chinen Shinzo sensei, Hanshi 9th dan.

Chinen Sensei was a master of goju-ryu karate; he was life-long student of Eiichi Miyazato sensei of the Jundokan dojo. He was also Vice Chairman of the Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate-do Kyokai.

Chinen Sensei was a great karate man, a great chef, and host. His little restaurant / bar, was a hang out for numerous Okinawan Karate-ka. The world of Goju-ryu and Okinawan karate have lost a great teacher and leader.

My deepest condolence to his family, students and friends. Domo Arigato Gozaimsu Sensei.

Kempo Hakku

The Kempo Hakku was a favorite poem of Miyagi Chojun Sensei. It was an article from the ancient Chinese text, the Bubishi. Miyagi Sensei named his method of Ti, Goju-Ryu, from the third line of
this poem.

1. Jinshin wa tenchi ni onaji. -The mind is one with heaven and earth.

2. Ketsumyaku wa nichigetsu ni nitari. -The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the cycle of the sun and the moon.

3. Ho wa goju wo tondo su. -The way of inhaling and exhaling is both hard and soft.

4. Mi wa toki ni shitagai hen ni ozu. -Act in accordance with time and change.

5. Te wa ku ni ai sunawachi hairu. -Techniques will occur in the absence of conscious thought.

6. Shintai wa hakarite riho su. -The feet must advance and retreat, separate and meet.

7. Me wa shiho wo miru wa yosu. -The eyes do not miss even the slightest change.

8. Mimi wa yoku happo wo kiku. -The ears listen well in all directions

My Aiki Connection.

If you asked the majority of people who know me what martial art I do, they would probably answer karate, some may even be as detailed as saying Goju-ryu. What most of them won’t know is that while I have trained Goju-ryu for over 34 years, I have also trained in other systems of karate, kobudo, judo, jujutsu, aikido and aiki-jujutsu.

My aiki connection like my karate has been multi-folded. My father (Curt Jones) was my first teacher, and we still train together even now. Even though my father is probably best known as a Gojuryu Karate-ka by his peers, anyone who has ever shared the mat with him, can tell you he has some great wrist locks and choke holds.  What most of them won’t know is that even though my father has dedicated his life to karate, he is also a practitioner of Aiki. While stationed in the Army in the 1970’s my father had the opportunity to study Tomiki-ryu Aikido with its founder, Kenji Tomiki Shihan. After his time in the Army, my father continued his Aiki training, in fact those same lessons were added into his karate classes, though most of my fellow dojo mate’s probably had no idea. My father was unique in his approach to budo, after he had taught us to a level he felt appropriate, he would encourage us to go out of the dojo and seek out other teachers to learn from. He would say go out and learn something, then come back and let me see what you learned. Most teachers would shirk at this idea today. He would also bring in guest instructors to teach at the dojo.

One of the guest instructors that he allowed to teach at his dojo was Dan Buchea. Mr. Buchea was a teacher of Jujutsu / Aiki-jujutsu and his idea of training bordered on sadism. I remember he would visit and teach sometimes for several weeks and then he was off learning and we wouldn’t see him for months and then one day he would jus show up and pick up right where he left off. Mr. Buchea was a ruff teacher; you felt everything, in fact more then once he ripped my shoulders out of socket during training. (Maybe that is why I have shoulder problems now, hmmm). For several years he was a guest instructor and I learned a lot about how to use the techniques in actual combat and also how to deal with pain and keep fighting. Mr. Buchea also introduced us to Iaido. I lost track of Mr. Buchea in the mid 1990s but have since found out that he retired from budo.

I also spent a great deal of time training with Mr. Young Park, who has probably the oldest Judo and Jujutsu dojo in Indiana.  I loved training with Mr. Park and eventually even took my children there to train with him. He is an old school teacher, but his manner of teaching was in contrast to Mr. Buchea, while he was a strict task master, he was also very caring for his students. I remember one time I came to the dojo the day after I received my Shodan in karate and he saw the obi in my bag. He said wear new obi, is ok. So I did, we proceeded to the mat and worked out as normal, at the end of class he called me out and asked me to attack him, I did so with a controlled technique which angered him. He said you black belt now, you hit me like black belt. So I did and blasted him in the face with a mawashi geri, he smiled and said again. The next thing I remember was seeing black, as my vision returned I saw Mr. Park standing over me smiling. He said “You attack me like karate man, you forget you jujutsu man also. You must seek to harmonized between your two selves to become oneself.”

In my career as a law enforcement officer, I have also had the opportunity to train in several defensive tactics systems, at the Koga Institute and with the Gracie’s. I have also trained with several other teachers of Judo, jujutsu, aikido, and aiki-jujutsu over the years, but I myself think budo is budo. There are only so many ways to punch and kick or bend a wrist. While I myself teach Goju-ryu and adhere to the teachings of Miyagi Chojun, one must remember even Miyagi himself sought out and trained with different people, his budo was constantly evolving. I am not advocating everyone going crazy and running around like nuts founding there own ryu-ha. I am just saying that there are more similarities then differences between the various factions, styles and ryu-ha. If we could just train to train and everyone could put their ego’s aside, the state of the martial arts would be in better shape. Seek your own Aiki – your own harmony with the universe.

In Rememberance

On Friday October 8, 2010 I taught the class at my father's dojo the Komakai. It had been a while since I had show up at the Komakai and taught, on this paicular day I wanted to do so, so that I could remind the students of the founder of our art and his contributions. I won't go into my lessons here, but suffice it to say, we had a good class to remember and pay tribute to a great man, Miyagi Chojun Sensei.

Kihon

Kihon (基本), which means “basics” or “rudiments,” is made up of two characters. Ki (基) which translates to “foundation” or “root.” At the bottom of the ideogram is the radical chi (土), which means “earth.” Hon (本) can mean “base” or “at the foot of.” It is made up of the ideogram for “tree” ( 木) with a dash at its bottom indicating its base. The two characters repeat a single, basic idea. This redundancy is an indication of the importance Japanese place on mastering the basic knowledge and skills of a discipline.

Japanese and Okinawan educators have traditionally believed that only by thoroughly mastering the basics can a student develop the skills and knowledge necessary to move on to more sophisticated, creative levels of a discipline. It is therefore not surprising that a traditional martial art such as karate also stresses the importance of basics. Like the two characters that make up kihon, basics in karate also work from the ground up. The foundation of all karate techniques lies in the way in which one stands. Karate stances are designed to teach students to fully utilize the lower torso in both training and actual combat. The difficult stances strengthen the legs and hips, and by perfecting them you can generate more power in your kicks and punches.

In fact, not so long ago, a beginning student of karate would not be allowed to practice anything but a handful of stances. All karate stances can be painfully tiring when held over a prolonged period of time, and the student had to learn to endure this pain and exhaustion before going on to further study. This period sometimes lasted weeks, even months, after which the student devoted an equally long period to just walking back and forth. Only after mastering standing and walking was a student taught to block, punch, and kick. As you can imagine, this curriculum tested the student’s patience to the extreme, Instructors felt this developed character and at the same time weeded out those lacking the mettle to succeed in karate.

I have heard that when Gojuryu Karate founder, Miyagi Chojun Sensei, first began his

Study of karate under his teacher (Higaonna Kanryo Sensei) that for the first six months

All he was allowed to learn was unsoku-ho (foot movements).

I remember when I first started my study of karate at my father’s dojo, for the first few months all I was allowed to do was walk from one end of the dojo to the other in Sanchin, Shiko and Zenkutsu Dachi’s, then another few months of walking in the same stances with the addition of the basic punches and blocks. I also recall that as one progressed in rank (which was not often), during the tests, depending on the level of rank one was trying to achieve, you were placed in a stance and made to hold it for a specified amount of time. When I tested for Sankyu, I remember having to sit in Shiko Dachi for 30 minutes, the same for when I tested for Shodan, it was extremely painful. I also remember that every class I attended either at my father’s dojo, Mr. Keeney’s dojo, or any of the other dojo I trained at regularly, a great deal of time was spent on the basics.

In recent years, especially in America, there has been less emphasis placed on basics. I have attended karate tournaments in the not to distant past, where I have seen some students wearing all different color of obi (belts), demonstrating advanced level kata, but they have terrible basics, in fact I have been chastised for giving low scores while judging. I was approached and asked why I was giving low scores, and I proceeded to explain my reason and critique of the basics they displayed, only to be told, hey bring your scores up we want people to come back, not everyone is perfect. Certainly it would be difficult for a proprietor of a karate school in today’s fast-paced society to attract or retain new students if all they were taught for the first few months were standing and walking. However, just as building cannot stand without the proper foundation, and as a tree will fall over without its roots, advanced karate techniques cannot be perfected without mastering the basics first. As you are taught a variety of techniques, therefore, you should constantly keep up your practice of your stances and footwork—your kihon, or base.