History of Japanese Goju
Japanese Goju is the branch of the system that
Yamaguchi Gogen was the head of until his death in
1988. Yamaguchi trained in Karate since he was a teenager.
He studied at universities to achieve his law degree while
training in, and teaching Karate at university clubs and
working odd jobs at the same time. He had trained personally
with Miyagi Chojun (the founder of Goju) for a period
of time when Miyagi was visiting in Japan from Okinawa. When
returning to Okinawa, Miyagi appointed Yamaguchi to head up
Goju Ryu Karate in Japan. Yamaguchi worked tirelessly to
build and spread Goju Ryu Karate throughout Japan and the
rest of the world. He made some important contributions to
the art also. Yamaguchi created eight Kihon Ido, or basic
moving exercises and ten Taikiyoku, or basic Kata that
prepared the students for the more advanced forms of Goju
Ryu. He also instituted free sparing practice as a means of
furthering combat ability. Yamaguchi was also a yoga master
and Shinto priest. Those who practice Japanese Goju Ryu
generally follow Yamaguchi's basic forms and practice free
sparing.
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