American Goju-Kempo

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Goju Ryu is one of the major ryuha or schools in Japan as well as Okinawa. There are differences in the Goju as practiced in Japan as opposed to Okinawa but the style is essentially the same in both places. The style is a synthesis of Chinese Kempo and Okinawan "te". The founder of Goju is Master Chojun Miyagi from theOkinawan town of Naha. before the style was called Goju it was known as Naha-te,meaning simply,the style practiced in the town of Naha. Naha-te is heavily influenced by the softer techniques of kempo,including breath control and the development of one's personal "ki". The characteristics f Naha-te had a more defensive attitude with grappling, throwing, and locking techniques.

Chojun Miyagi was born on April, 25th in Naha, Okinawa. He was the son of a wealthy business man. He began his study of Karate at the age of eleven. In his early teens he bacame the Student of Master Kanryo Higashionna. Under the tutalage of Master Higashionna, Miyagi underwent long periods of arduous training.

After the death of Master Kanryo Higashionna, Miyagi travelled to China's Fukien Province, just as Master Higashionna had done before him. In China he studied the forms of Chinese Boxing from the Shaolin, which is hard/external and linear, and Pakua, whisis soft/external and circular. Miyagi blended thest two systems with his own native Naha-te and a new system came into being. It would not be until1929 that Chujun Myagi would name his sytem Goju-ryu, the hard-soft system. After spending some years in China, Chojun Miyagi returned home to Naha and opened a dojo. Miyagi's reputation as a katateman grew as he taught. However his achievements were in his organization of karate teaching methods. He introduced Karate into schools and other reas of society. He developed Sanchin Kata,which demonstates the hard aspect of Goju-ryu, and he created Tensho Kata which epitomizes the soft aspect of Goju. together thes kata are the essence of Goju-ryu. Chojun Miyagi was said to have been a man of extremely mild temperment. He lived according to the style's principles of non violence. On October 8, 1953, Master Chojun Miyagi died in Okinawa. After the death of Master Kanryo Higashionna, Miyagi travelled toFukien Province in China,just as Maaster Higoanna had done before him. While in China he studied two forms of Chinese Boxing. He studied the hard / external forrm of Shaolin, and thesoft / internal form of Paqua which is more circular. Myagi combined thes two systems with his own native Naha-te and a new system was born. The system was not called Goju ( hard/soft ) until 1929 when Miyagi named the system after a line in the Bubishi.

The name Goju - ryu came about when one of Master Miyagi's disciples Jinan Shinzato, was asked after having given a demonstration of his Karate skills, what style he was demonstrating. Since Naha -te was not the name od a style, Shinzato could not give an answer. On his return he told Master Miyagi about the problem. Miyagi sensei thought about it and decided it would be best if he wanted to spread the style to have a name for it. He chose the name GOJU-RYU the hard/soft style, inspired by the "Eight Precepts "of Kempo written inthe Bubishi :

1. The mind is one with heaven and earth
2. The circulatory rythm of the body is similar to th cycle of the sun and the moon.
3. The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness*
4. Act in accordance with time and change.
5. Techniques will occur in the abscence of conscious thought.
6. The feet must advance and retreat, seperate and meet.
7. The eyes do not miss even the slightest change.
8. The ears listen well in all directions.

Gogen Yamaguchi was born on January 20, 1909. even as a young boy he showed a great interest in the martial arts. During his early years at school he began training in kendo. It was also during this time that he began his Karate training under Mr Maruta, a carpenter from Okinawa. Mr Maruta who was a Goju stylist was impressed with Yamaguchi's serious attitude and willingness to train hard. Mr Maruta taught Yamaguchi all he knew about the Goju system.
Yamaguchi established his first karate club at itsumeikan University in Kyoto, where he was a law student. Soon the reputation of the dojo spread. It was known for its hard training and its fierce breath control techniques. It was during this time period that Yamaguchi started to develop the first steps to jiyu-kumite (free sparring) and established rules to determine who was the winner of the match.
In 1931 Yamaguchi was introduced to the founder of the Goju style Master Chojun Miyagi. This meeting had a profound effect on the 22 year old Yamaguchi. Up until this point , the young Yamaguchi had only concerned himself with the hard aspects of Goju ryu. After his meeting with Miyagi Master he started training himself spiritually as well as physically. Master Miyagi was so impressed with how intensely Yamacuchi had trained in the hard aspects of Goju that he gave hime the nickname of "Gogen" which means rough. He appointed Yamaguchi his succcessor and the head of Goju-ryu in Japan. Yaamaguchi became one of the most exciting figures in Martial arts not only in Japan but arounf the world. He was known as "the Cat" because of his speed and graceand because his favorite fighting stance was the cat stance. Master Yamaguchi's contributions to Karate have been numerous. He started the International Karatedo Goju Kai. He also united all karate schools is Japan into the Federaration of All Japan Karatedo Organization in 1964. Master Yamaguchi helped spread the development of Goju ryu around, the world. One of his students was Peter Urban.

Peter Urban, an American was one of Master Yamaguchi's students. He brought Goju to the US in 1964. He later broke away from the Goju kai and formed the USA Goju organization assuming the rank of 10th dan as founder and head. Usa Goju became a strong organization that gave rise to other hybrid Goju styles. American Goju-Kempo Karatedo is one of these. Under the guidance of Hanshi Craig Brooks, American Goju-Kempo Karatedo has developed into a modern fighting system that follows traditional ways.

American Goju-Kempo is a blend of Japanese Goju, Judo, and Aiki-jitsu. From the ouset of his/her training the student will not only be taught the kihon of Karate but also the breakfalls (ukemi) of Judo and Aiki-jitsu. As the student progresses so will his knowledge of throwing, grappling and joint locking techniques. At the Black belt level his/her abilities and skills should be close to that of a practitioner of those arts of the same belt. American Goju-Kempo is not a quick study art. It is meant to be a "Do", a path. Also in the black belt level the study of the sword arts are encouraged. Traditional Okinawan weaponry (Kobudo) is also studied and while not required for a belt ,Certificates of study and patches are awarded for the completion of the course of study of a particular weapon. THE DOJO ;

The word dojo, as we in American Goju-Kempo use it, means much more than training hall. To us Dojo means "a place to find the way " The dojo is in fact a "sacred place", A place where purity of intention is expected and extreme effort put forth. Therefore it is important to show respect and act respectful and courteously toward your training partners.While you are in the Dojo at least, they are your brothers and sisters. Ther is a certain protocol for entering, training, and leaving the Dojo. Also there is a hierachy within the Dojo and certain ways to adress your training partners and insructors. These ways and methods exist, not to humiliate the student and practitioner but to teach humility and respect. To show the appreciation of effort and accomplishment and to celebrate ritualistically your connection to a warrior code.

1. Students must be on time for all classes.
2. Students must keep their gi (uniforms) clean and in good repair,
3. Studunts must keep their bodies clean. Finger nails and toe nails are to be kept trim. Proper hygeine is a must.
4. Rings and bracelets or any objects of jewelry with sharp edges are prohibited in class.
5. Students will not smoke, chew gum or eat candy or food while in the Dojo.
6. Students must obey the instructions of the sempai and the sensei.
7.Students must only practice those techniques taught to them by the sensei.
8. Students should keep their Dojo clean and in good shape. Damaged and /or faulty equipment should br reported and not used.
9. Students should not leave the class without informing the instructor and in the case of youngsters getting permission.
10. The Student shoul practice courtesy and respect for his fellow students and practitioners.

.1.Nothing is free !
2. Everyone works!
3. We all start at the bottom !
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Each class will begin and end with a short ceremony. This ceremony is to show respect for the Sensei, the Dojo and your fellow students. The following is meant to be a guide since there will be some variations between schools and instructors.

1. Sempai or head student;Shugo---Line up.
2. Sempai; Ki o tsuke---Attention!
3. Sempai; Seiza---kneel.
4. Sempai; Makuso-- Close your eyes/meditate.
5. Sempai; Makuso Yame---Open your eyes.
6. Sempai; Shomen Ni---Face towards the shrine.
7. Sempai; Rei---Bow 8. Everybody; Onegaishimasu---"Will you please teach me"/bow to start class.
9. Sempai; Sensei Ni---Face toward instructor.
10. Sempai; Rei---Bow 11. Everybody; Onegaishimasi---Will you please?
Sempai/Sensei; Tatte--- Stand up/face front.

1-7. Same as above.
8. Everybody; Arigato Gozaimashita---Thank you very much.
9. Sempai; Sensei Ni---Face toward you instructor.
10. Sempai; Rei---Bow
11. Everybody; Arigato Gozaimashita--Thank you very much.
12. Sempai; Otagai Ni---Face fellow student.
13. Sempai; Rei---Bow.
14. everybodyi; Arigato gozaimaishita--- Thank you very much.
Sempai; Shomen Ni---Face forward.
Your Sensei or your Sempai will then get up and leave, then the students in order of descending rank. Each student bows before standing, stands and bows to the Dojo shrine and other students before leaving. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

White Belt

Black Belt

There are a few things I would like to get out of the way before going into a discussion on Belt rankings, First and foremost we award belts based on Martial Arts knowledge, Skill,and character, not on fighting ability alone. Secondly, We don't award "feel good belts." In many schools belts are awarded to students who don't meet the qualifications but have been at the school for a long time. In order to make the student feel good about himself he is awarded a new rank. This is especially true where the school has a children's program. It doesn't happen here ! If the student isn't progressing we take a long look at the instructor. Then at the effort the student is expending. We will not lessen the worth of another stdents belt to make another student feel better. Instead w will suggest remedial lessons or perhaps another school. We jealously guard our reputation and standards.

American Goju-Kempo, as practiced at the Budokan, has ten mudansha grades called kyu. The lowest kyu grade is 10th kyu white belt. This is for the begeginner who knows nothing of the "arts". The kyu grades ascend up to 1st kyu brown, that stop for breath and review just before first degree Black belt or Shodan.
There are four levels of white belt in GojuKempo Karate-do. White belts are the foundation of the future of the Martial arts. White belt knowledge is the foundation upon which an individual's martial arts knowledge and capabilities are built. The first level of White belt is 10th kyu, a plain white belt. At this level the student is taught the basics of what he/she will need to know to attend class., The next step up is ninth kyu. This is a white belt with one red stripe. Ninth kyu must be earned. It is at this level the student is taught and held responsible for knowledge of dachi(stances), cf6 certain uchi (strikes) geri (kicks) uke (blocks) and ukemi (breakfalls). At the Budokan we don't place a minimum time limit for earning a belt at the white belt levels. Time limits will be dictated by te skill level of the individual student and his immediate intructor. The next levetl of white belt is 8th kyu, which is a white belt with two (2) rest stripes. To earn this belt the student must learn and show proficiency Kihon -waza,basic techniques,. These techniques will include Uke-Kata(blocking forms), Tsuki -Kata (striking forms), Keri-Kata.(kick forms) as well as three (3) basic Throws or takedowns. The next and last white belt level is 7th kyu, a white belt with three red stipes. It is at this level that the student learns to move while executing a defensive move followed by an offensive move. He/she will also learn rightsided and left sided techniques. The 7th kyu student is starting to become skilled !

There are three Green belt ranks in Gojukempo. they are 6th, 5th, and 4th Kyu in ascending order. 6th Kyu is a plain Green beltt at this level the student must know Kata, prearranged forms that combine movement and combat techniques The student will also learn more takedowns and throws. It is at the green belt level that the student will also study anatomy and the effect that the techniques can have on certain parts of the body.
Fifth Kyu is a green beltt with one (1) brown stripe, while fourth kyu has two brown stripes. These levels of green belt are more of the same as 6th kyu except the techniques and Kata get more dificult and complex.

There are three Brown belt rank levels in GojuKempo. 3rd Kyu is a Brown Belt with one black stripe. At this level the student is still learning new Kata and joint manipulation and joint locking. It is also at this level that the student will intensify his practice and study of what he has been taught up to this point. He /she has reached the Brown Belt levels and it is here that he/she must prove themselves worthy of being accepted as full participating members of the Dojo and recognition by the sensei that they are officially one of his students 2nd Kyu , Brown Belt with two(2) black stripe and 1st Kyu Brown Belt with three (3) black stripes are basically more of the same. However most people spend more time at 1st Kyu than at any othe Kyu grade. Sometimes as much time as all the Kyu Grades combined. The reasons for this are simple. First it is at this grade the student is readying hiself for Martial arts knighthood and the recognition by his Sensei and school that he has mastered the basics. It is at this level whe prepares him/herself for Shodan which actually means reborn. So it is at this level the student readies himself for that transition.}