The founder of Goju-ryu was Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953). He became a disciple of Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915), the founder of the Naha-te style, when he was 14. He endured harsh ascetic practices and in 1915 went to Fujian Province in China to perfect his skills in the martial arts. He also undertook a lot of research on noted Chinese warriors. As a result, he was able to take over and organize karate techniques and the principles of the martial arts that he had been taught. He consolidated modern karate-do, incorporating effective elements of both athletics and the martial arts in addition to the principles of reason and science.

Chojun Miyagi's most promising disciple, Jinan Shinzato, gave a demonstration at the 'All Japan Martial Arts Tournament Offering Congratulations on the Emperor's Accession' held in Meiji Jingu Shrine in 1929. Afterwards he was asked what school of karate he belonged to. When he returned home, he told master Miyagi about this and Miyagi decided to choose the name Goju-ryu (the hard-soft style), inspired by one of the 'Eight Precepts' of Kempo, written in the Bubishi, and meaning 'The way embraces both hard and soft, both inhalation and exhalation. The main characteristic of Goju-ryu is the 'respiration method' accompanied by vocal exclamations, emphasizing 'inhaling and exhaling'and 'bringing force in and sending force out'.

Both Senior instructors trained in Goju Ryu under tne head of Okinawa Goju Ryu Meibukan, Kaicho Ikemiyagi Maasaki in Okinawa and on his many visit's to Australia.

Currently the club has affiliations with Goju Ryu Karate-do Seiwakai, A world wide organisation with its base in Japan under the leadership of Shihan Taasaki and in Australia under Shihan Glen Stephenson.  These connections provide us with a huge pool of Goju Ryu knowledge and experience for us to draw upon.

Who We Are

Okinawa Goju Ryu Kazoku-do Karate was formed in 2005 by Sensei's Paul Keen And Jim Bishop. Between both instructors there is over 50 years experience in Karate and Kobudo. Both Sensei's Paul and Jim hold Nidan rankings in a variety of styles in both Karate and Kobudo (Okinawan Weaponry). Both instuctors were graded by Okinawan masters.

Sensei Jim Bishop also holds nidan ranks in Goju Ryu Seiwakai and Shodan in the JKF Goju Kai.

The club is affiliated with Goju Ryu Karate-do Seiwakai and the JKF Goju Kai.