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History of Goju Ryu
The martial art of Karatedo has its history shrouded in mystery. This is due in large to the lack of documentation surrounding its development. The most widely accepted theory on the development of karate is that the indigenous Okinawan art known as Te was influenced by systems brought from elsewhere in Asia, particularly China. This is largely due to the location of Okinawa which meant that trading ships from all over Asia would dock in her ports during their travels. As a result of this, Okinawan culture and martial arts were influenced by these visits.
Another important aspect in the development of Okinawan martial arts is that in the 1300’s began a period of exchange between Okinawa and China, with families of Chinese academics, politicians and their various bodyguards and servants settling in the town of Kume, just outside Naha. Members of these exchange parties were rumoured to have been well versed in the martial arts, and no doubt they had a significant impact upon the development of the Okinawan martial arts, particularly around the region of Naha.
By the mid 1800’s, three distinct martial systems had emerged in Okinawa, named after the towns in which they were developed. These systems as referred to as Shurite, Tomarite and Nahate.
It is in the system of Nahate that we find the origins of Goju Ryu.
The system of Goju Ryu was founded by Miyagi Chojun Sensei who further developed the system of Nahate which he learnt from his teacher Higashionna Kanryo Sensei. Below is a brief account of the part these masters played in the development of Goju Ryu Karatedo.
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Kanryo Higashionna (1853 - 1917)
Higashionna was born in Nishimura and was from a fairly poor family who ran a business transporting firewood around Okinawa and its islands.
Higashionna received his early martial arts training from Aragaki Seisho of Kume village, and is also said to have received training from Kojo Taitei of the Kojo Ryu system.
It is not known what Higashionna learnt from these teachers, however in 1867 a demonstration was held at the Ochayagoten in Shuri commemorating the departure of the last Chinese envoy to Okinawa, bringing about the end to the long period of exchange between Okinawa and China. During this demonstration the kata Seisan and an unknown kata named Chishaoukuin were demonstrated by Aragaki Seisho, with Suparinpei being demonstrated by Tomura Chikudon Peichin. From this evidence we can see that these kata were already known in Okinawa before Higashionna left for China. It is widely accepted that Sanchin was also already present in Okinawa.
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Higashionna Kanryo Sensei
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Evidently, Higashionna became interested in furthering his study of Te and around the age of 23 - 24 he travelled to Fuchou China. Oral testimony maintains that Higashionna’s teacher in Fuchou was Ryuru Ko. Ryuru Ko was a master of White Crane Gongfu who reportedly made wicker baskets for a living.
What Higashionna actually learnt from Ryuru Ko whilst he was in China remains a point of much interest. The most common account is that Higashionna learnt the entire syllabus of classical Goju Ryu Kata, Sanchin, Saifa, Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseiru, Seipai, Kururunfa, Seisan and Suparinpei. Despite this we do not know for sure, and evidence exists to suggest that Higashionna’s original system of Nahate may have comprised of only Sanchin, Sanseiru, Seisan and Suparinpei.
Another point of much debate is how long Higashionna actually spent in China. The common version is that Higashionna spent approximately 10 years training with Ryuru Ko, but his exact date of return to Okinawa is unknown.
Upon his return to Okinawa Higashionna returned to his families firewood business, but his reputation as a skilful practitioner spread throughout Naha, earning him the nickname ashi no To’onna (legs To’onna) due to his excellent kicking ability.
As a result of this Higashionna began teaching his system on Nahate to a few carefully selected students, notably Kiyoda Juhatsu Sensei the founder of To’on Ryu, and his kohai Miyagi Chojun Sensei the founder of Goju Ryu.
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