Chōjun Miyagi (宮城 長順, Miyagi Chōjun, April 25, 1888 – October 8, 1953) was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Gōjū-ryū school of karate by blending Okinawan and Chinese influences.
Sensei Miyagi was born in Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa on April 25, 1888. One of his parents was a wealthy shop owner. Chojun Miyagi began studying Okinawan martial arts under Ryuko Aragaki at age 11.[2] At age 14, Miyagi was introduced to Kanryo Higashionna (Higaonna Kanryō) by Aragaki. Under his tutelage, Miyagi underwent a very long and arduous period of training. His training with Higaonna was interrupted for a two-year period while Miyagi completed his military service, 1910–1912, in Miyakonojō, Miyazaki.[3] Miyagi trained under Higaonna for 15 years until Higaonna's death in 1916.[4]
Training in ChinaEdit
In May 1915, before the death of Higaonna, Miyagi travelled to Fujian Province. In China he visited the grave of Higaonna's teacher, Ryū Ryū Ko. In this first trip he travelled with Eisho Nakamoto. After Kanryo Higaonna's death (in Oct, 1915) he made a second trip to Fuzhou with Gokenki. In this second trip he studied some local Chinese martial arts.[5] It was in this second trip that he observed the Rokkishu (a set of hand exercises rather than a formal kata, which emphasizes the rotation of the forearms and wrists to execute offensive and defensive techniques), which he then adapted into the Tensho Kata. From the blending of these systems, and his native Naha-Te, a new system emerged. However, it was not until 1929 that Chōjun Miyagi named the system Gōjū-ryū, meaning "hard soft style".[5]
Return to JapanEdit
After several months in China, Chōjun Miyagi returned to Naha where he opened a dojo.[5] He taught for many years, gaining an enormous reputation as a karateka. Despite his reputation, his greatest achievements lie in popularization and the organization of karate teaching methods. In recognition of his leadership in spreading karate in Japan, his style, Goju-Ryu, became the first style to be officially recognized by the Dai Nippon Butokukai.[6] He introduced karate into Okinawa police work, high schools and other fields of society. He revised and further developed Sanchin - the hard aspect of Goju, and created Tensho - the soft aspect. These kata are considered to contain the essence of the Goju-ryu. The last kata taught in most dojos, Suparinpei, is said by some to contain the full syllabus of Goju-ryu, although this assertion is disputed. Shisochin was Miyagi's favorite kata at the end of his years. With the goal of unification of various karate styles which was in fashion at that time (see Gichin Funakoshi for his works in Japan), he also created more Shuri-te-like katas known as Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni in 1940, taking techniques from higher forms (notably Suparinpei, and upper blocks uncommon for Goju-ryu at that time) and incorporating them into a shorter forms. It is said he created these kata to bridge the gap between Sanchin and Saifa, which contains much more complex moves compared to Sanchin, as well as to have forms to teach to his students in the Prefectural Teacher's College.[7]
DeathEdit
Miyagi had his first heart attack in 1951, and died in Okinawa on October 8, 1953, from a second heart attack.[7]
SuccessorEdit
Miyagi died without having officially named a successor, and several of his pupils have proclaimed themselves as his successors.[8] However, Seikichi Toguchi is quoted as saying “Let me first say that I was not named the successor of Goju-Ryu by Miyagi, but nor was anyone else. There are some Goju-Ryu teachers who claim to have been privately appointed successor by Miyagi. These claims are ludicrous and disrespectful of his memory. He never publicly named anyone as successor. Common sense would dictate that if he were to appoint someone, it would have been a longtime student and it would have to be of public record to have any value."[7]
The family of Chojun Miyagi communicated that the founder of the style wanted Eiichi Miyazato to succeed him. The Goju Ryu committee, formed by major students of Miyagi (which included among others Nakaima, Madanbashi, Meitoku Yagi, Iha Koshin) at a meeting in February 1954 voted almost unanimously Eiichi Miyazato as the official successor to Chojun Miyagi. Miyazato continued to teach from Miyagi’s Garden Dojo until 1957, when he built the Jundokan dojo with the help of the Miyagi family.[8] Miyagi's family also donated Hojo Undo tools and Miyagi's Busanagashi statue to Miyazato, which became the symbol for the Jundokan.[citation needed]
Another important recognition was made by Miyagi's family in 1963 to Meitoku Yagi, publicly recognizing him as one of the successors of Miyagi and giving him one of Miyagi's karate gis and belts.[7]
Later other students would proclaim themselves Miyagi's successors like An’ichi Miyagi (a claim supported by Morio Higaonna, who claims An'ichi as his main teacher[8][9]) or Gōgen Yamaguchi,[10] whom Peter Urban (in his book The Karate Sensei) says was named in Miyagi's will as successor.
LegacyEdit
Some of Miyagi's more notable students were Seko Higa (also a student of Kanryo Higaonna), Miyazato Ei'ichi (founder of the Jundokan dojo), Meitoku Yagi (founder of the Meibukan dojo, Seikichi Toguchi (founder of Shorei-kan Goju-ryu), and on the Japanese mainland Gōgen Yamaguchi who was the founder of the Gōjū Kai in Japan.[10]
The character of Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid film series, written by Robert Mark Kamen (a Goju Ryu student of Toguchi - Kayo Ong lineage), was inspired by Chōjun Miyagi.[11]
WritingsEdit
Miyagi, Chojun. "Karate-Do Gaisetsu. Outline of Karate-Do". March 23, 1934 (Showa 9). Reprint published in 1999 by Patrick McCarthy. Translated by Patrick and Yuriko McCarthy, 1993. Also in: Higaonna, Morio. "The History of Karate: Okinawan Goju-Ryu".
Miyagi, Chojun. "". January 28, 1936. Translated by Sanzinsoo. In Japanese: "Ryukyu Kenpo Karatedo Enkaku Gaiyo", essay appeared in "Okinawano Karatedo" by Shoshin Nagamine (1975, Shinjinbutsu Oraisha) and "Okinawaden Gojuryu Karatedo" by Eiichi Miyazato (1979, Jitsugyono Sekaisha).
Miyagi Chojun et al. "The Meeting of Okinawan Karate Masters" Fragment of the 1936 meeting records. Published as an Appendix of "Karatedo Dai Hokan", by Kanken Toyama. Pages 377-392 (Tsuru Shobo, 1960). (translated by Sanzinsoo)
Miyagi Chojun. "Breathing In and Breathing Out in accordance with Go and Ju, a Miscellaneous Essay on Karate". First published in "Bunka Okinawa" Vol.3 No.6, August 15, 1942. Republished in "Chugoku Okinawa Karate Kobudo No Genryu" written by Masahiro Nakamoto, April 1, 1985, by Bunbukan. Translated by Sanzinsoo.
Nakaima Genkai. "Memories of my Sensei, Chojun Miyagi". In: "Chojun Miyagi the Karate Master. His kindness is infinite. He preaches morality." in: local monthly magazine "Aoi Umi" No.70 February 1978 issue (pages 99–100) published by Aoi Umi Shuppansha. That special issue featured Okinawan karate masters. Fragment translated by Sanzinsoo.
^Prewitt, Alex (2018-05-01). "The Crane Kick Is Bogus: A Karate Kid Oral History". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
October 15, 2023
chōjun, miyagi, this, okinawan, name, surname, miyagi, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspap. In this Okinawan name the surname is Miyagi This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Chōjun Miyagi news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message Chōjun Miyagi 宮城 長順 Miyagi Chōjun April 25 1888 October 8 1953 was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Gōju ryu school of karate by blending Okinawan and Chinese influences Chōjun Miyagi宮城 長順Born 1888 04 25 April 25 1888Naha Okinawa Empire of JapanDiedOctober 8 1953 1953 10 08 aged 65 Okinawa USCARStyleGōju ryu Karate founder Okinawan martial arts Naha te Fujian White Crane Crying Crane style Southern Buddhist Kung FuTeacher s Kanryo HigaonnaRankSōke Founder of Goju ryu Kyoshi Dai Nippon ButokukaiNotable studentsTeruo Chinen Gogen Yamaguchi Seiko Higa Seikichi Toguchi Tatsuo Shimabuku 1 Ei ichi Miyazato Meitoku Yagi Seigo Tada Anichi Miyagi Shuichi Aragaki Contents 1 Life 1 1 Early life and training 1 2 Training in China 1 3 Return to Japan 1 4 Death 2 Successor 3 Legacy 4 Writings 5 Further reading 6 ReferencesLife EditEarly life and training Edit Sensei Miyagi was born in Higashimachi Naha Okinawa on April 25 1888 One of his parents was a wealthy shop owner Chojun Miyagi began studying Okinawan martial arts under Ryuko Aragaki at age 11 2 At age 14 Miyagi was introduced to Kanryo Higashionna Higaonna Kanryō by Aragaki Under his tutelage Miyagi underwent a very long and arduous period of training His training with Higaonna was interrupted for a two year period while Miyagi completed his military service 1910 1912 in Miyakonojō Miyazaki 3 Miyagi trained under Higaonna for 15 years until Higaonna s death in 1916 4 Training in China Edit In May 1915 before the death of Higaonna Miyagi travelled to Fujian Province In China he visited the grave of Higaonna s teacher Ryu Ryu Ko In this first trip he travelled with Eisho Nakamoto After Kanryo Higaonna s death in Oct 1915 he made a second trip to Fuzhou with Gokenki In this second trip he studied some local Chinese martial arts 5 It was in this second trip that he observed the Rokkishu a set of hand exercises rather than a formal kata which emphasizes the rotation of the forearms and wrists to execute offensive and defensive techniques which he then adapted into the Tensho Kata From the blending of these systems and his native Naha Te a new system emerged However it was not until 1929 that Chōjun Miyagi named the system Gōju ryu meaning hard soft style 5 Return to Japan Edit After several months in China Chōjun Miyagi returned to Naha where he opened a dojo 5 He taught for many years gaining an enormous reputation as a karateka Despite his reputation his greatest achievements lie in popularization and the organization of karate teaching methods In recognition of his leadership in spreading karate in Japan his style Goju Ryu became the first style to be officially recognized by the Dai Nippon Butokukai 6 He introduced karate into Okinawa police work high schools and other fields of society He revised and further developed Sanchin the hard aspect of Goju and created Tensho the soft aspect These kata are considered to contain the essence of the Goju ryu The last kata taught in most dojos Suparinpei is said by some to contain the full syllabus of Goju ryu although this assertion is disputed Shisochin was Miyagi s favorite kata at the end of his years With the goal of unification of various karate styles which was in fashion at that time see Gichin Funakoshi for his works in Japan he also created more Shuri te like katas known as Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni in 1940 taking techniques from higher forms notably Suparinpei and upper blocks uncommon for Goju ryu at that time and incorporating them into a shorter forms It is said he created these kata to bridge the gap between Sanchin and Saifa which contains much more complex moves compared to Sanchin as well as to have forms to teach to his students in the Prefectural Teacher s College 7 Death Edit Miyagi had his first heart attack in 1951 and died in Okinawa on October 8 1953 from a second heart attack 7 Successor EditMiyagi died without having officially named a successor and several of his pupils have proclaimed themselves as his successors 8 However Seikichi Toguchi is quoted as saying Let me first say that I was not named the successor of Goju Ryu by Miyagi but nor was anyone else There are some Goju Ryu teachers who claim to have been privately appointed successor by Miyagi These claims are ludicrous and disrespectful of his memory He never publicly named anyone as successor Common sense would dictate that if he were to appoint someone it would have been a longtime student and it would have to be of public record to have any value 7 After Miyagi s death his most experienced pupils at the time of his death were Sekō Higa Meitoku Yagi Eiichi Miyazato Koshin Iha and Seikichi Toguchi 8 The family of Chojun Miyagi communicated that the founder of the style wanted Eiichi Miyazato to succeed him The Goju Ryu committee formed by major students of Miyagi which included among others Nakaima Madanbashi Meitoku Yagi Iha Koshin at a meeting in February 1954 voted almost unanimously Eiichi Miyazato as the official successor to Chojun Miyagi Miyazato continued to teach from Miyagi s Garden Dojo until 1957 when he built the Jundokan dojo with the help of the Miyagi family 8 Miyagi s family also donated Hojo Undo tools and Miyagi s Busanagashi statue to Miyazato which became the symbol for the Jundokan citation needed Another important recognition was made by Miyagi s family in 1963 to Meitoku Yagi publicly recognizing him as one of the successors of Miyagi and giving him one of Miyagi s karate gis and belts 7 Later other students would proclaim themselves Miyagi s successors like An ichi Miyagi a claim supported by Morio Higaonna who claims An ichi as his main teacher 8 9 or Gōgen Yamaguchi 10 whom Peter Urban in his book The Karate Sensei says was named in Miyagi s will as successor Legacy EditSome of Miyagi s more notable students were Seko Higa also a student of Kanryo Higaonna Miyazato Ei ichi founder of the Jundokan dojo Meitoku Yagi founder of the Meibukan dojo Seikichi Toguchi founder of Shorei kan Goju ryu and on the Japanese mainland Gōgen Yamaguchi who was the founder of the Gōju Kai in Japan 10 The character of Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid film series written by Robert Mark Kamen a Goju Ryu student of Toguchi Kayo Ong lineage was inspired by Chōjun Miyagi 11 Writings EditMiyagi Chojun Karate Do Gaisetsu Outline of Karate Do March 23 1934 Showa 9 Reprint published in 1999 by Patrick McCarthy Translated by Patrick and Yuriko McCarthy 1993 Also in Higaonna Morio The History of Karate Okinawan Goju Ryu Miyagi Chojun Historical Outline of Karate Do Martial Arts Of Ryukyu January 28 1936 Translated by Sanzinsoo In Japanese Ryukyu Kenpo Karatedo Enkaku Gaiyo essay appeared in Okinawano Karatedo by Shoshin Nagamine 1975 Shinjinbutsu Oraisha and Okinawaden Gojuryu Karatedo by Eiichi Miyazato 1979 Jitsugyono Sekaisha Miyagi Chojun et al The Meeting of Okinawan Karate Masters Fragment of the 1936 meeting records Published as an Appendix of Karatedo Dai Hokan by Kanken Toyama Pages 377 392 Tsuru Shobo 1960 translated by Sanzinsoo Miyagi Chojun Breathing In and Breathing Out in accordance with Go and Ju a Miscellaneous Essay on Karate First published in Bunka Okinawa Vol 3 No 6 August 15 1942 Republished in Chugoku Okinawa Karate Kobudo No Genryu written by Masahiro Nakamoto April 1 1985 by Bunbukan Translated by Sanzinsoo Further reading EditMiyagi Chojun Toudijutsu Gaisetsu Outline of Karatedo Chojun Miyagi Original publication Okinawa c 1933 Japan International Ryukyu Karate Research Society Yokohama Japan c 1934 Nakaima Genkai Memories of my Sensei Chojun Miyagi In Chojun Miyagi the Karate Master His kindness is infinite He preaches morality in local monthly magazine Aoi Umi No 70 February 1978 issue pages 99 100 published by Aoi Umi Shuppansha That special issue featured Okinawan karate masters Fragment translated by Sanzinsoo OLIVEIRA Humberto Nuno de LOPES Eduardo Cunha Karate Do por Chojun Miyagi Complete Writings Bubok Edition 2015 PT 80 p Illustrated b amp w ISBN 978 84 686 6419 4References Edit The Karate Genealogy of Sosai Mas Oyama Archived 2004 10 25 at the Wayback Machine Jones C Michial 2011 Entering through the Gateway of Gojuryu 1st ed Yushikai Press ISBN 978 1257979387 Toguchi Seikichi 1976 Okinawan Goju Ryu Fundamentals of Shorei Kan Karate Burbank California Ohara Publications ISBN 0 89750 018 0 McCarthy and Lee 1987 p 39 a b c Higaonna Morio 1985 1990 Traditional karate do Okinawa goju ryu 1st ed Tokyo Japan Minato Research ISBN 0 87040 595 0 OCLC 12948826 Johnpaul Williams May 2001 Gōju Ryu Karate Dō Desk Reference 剛柔流空手道 参考書 Volume 1 Introduction amp Historic Chronology 武道 武術の歴史 ISBN 979 8487016973 a b c d Toguchi Seikichi 1917 1998 2001 Okinawan Goju ryu II advanced techniques of Shorei kan karate Tamano Toshio Lenzi Scott Burbank Calif Ohara Publications ISBN 0 89750 140 3 OCLC 48846495 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link a b c d Eiichi Miyazato 1921 1999 The Final Interview Goju Karate Jutsu Retrieved 2020 11 17 Nakamura Tetsuji International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate do Federation IOGKF History Retrieved 2020 11 17 a b History www gojukai com Retrieved 2020 11 17 Prewitt Alex 2018 05 01 The Crane Kick Is Bogus A Karate Kid Oral History Sports Illustrated Retrieved 2019 05 13 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chōjun Miyagi amp oldid 1179289232, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
